TANF Pre-Nursing Navigator

General Summary

Posting will be open until filled, priority screening for applications received by April 30, 2024.
The TANF Pre-Nursing Navigator will support a cohort of students pursuing the pre-nursing pathway and receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) aka cash assistance through the Department of Social Health & Services (DSHS). The navigator provides holistic academic advising and navigation of college systems to community college students who are also current healthcare workers. The navigator supports new students in their transition to college by teaching students to explore and connect interests, values, skills and goals with academic program offerings and future transfer or career opportunities.
The navigator remains current on nursing and other health, wellness and fitness programs, transfer options and careers. The navigator develops proactive strategies to engage students in career exploration, educational planning and remaining on track to completion of requirements. The navigator provides services on worker-friendly schedules and understands and supports the unique needs of students balancing full time work, school, and family responsibilities.
The position is funded by a grant in partnership with TRAC Associates, funded by the Department of Commerce. These funds are designed to ensure TANF supported students stay on a path to pursue their goal of becoming a healthcare professional.
This position is an exempt, salaried overtime-eligible, at-will, full-time position. Hours of work may include evenings, weekends, and occasional travel.
The position is grant-funded through June 30th, 2026, with extension for two more years possible.
This position reports to the Dean of Workforce Pathways & Transitions and works closely with TRAC Associates, and the Women’s Programs & WorkFirst/TANF office.

Essential Tasks

ESSENTIAL TASKS:
Advising (50%):

Maintain good connections with eligible TANF/pre-nursing participants;

Work with TRAC Associates navigators to identify and welcome eligible students to Highline College’s pre-nursing pathway;

Assist students who receive monthly TANF cash grants with admission applications, individualized education and employment planning, credential completion, provide student retention appointments, and general college navigation;

Responsible for making referrals to a wide range of holistic academic and non-academic support services on- and off-campus;

Develop proactive strategies to engage students in early career exploration, educational planning and remaining on track to completion. Advising may be conducted in groups, on an individual basis, via email/phone or video conference/Zoom, Canvas courses, and through programming/outreach;

Provide holistic academic advising to prospective and current college students. Teach students to explore academic degree options, identify appropriate courses, navigate college processes, and prepare for their next steps;

Teach students about nursing program options, how to prepare for TEAS and apply to nursing programs;

Establish ongoing and regular communication channels with faculty advisors in Health Wellness and Fitness Pathway, and act as liaison between professional advisors in Student Services and Academic Affairs regarding changes to degrees, classes, transfer requirements, etc.;

Teach students to access and use online student services and other online academic resources;

Facilitate engaging, effective group advising sessions for students in the TANF pre-nursing cohort;

Develop relationships with faculty to support faculty advising initiatives and facilitate student advising connections with faculty, including further development of pre-nursing pathways map;

Maintain documentation of progress of students eligible to participate in cohort programming;

Maintain electronic student records, documenting and summarizing advising sessions; Adhere to institutional, state, and federal policies related to confidentiality, and required reporting;

Actively participate in professional development opportunities, remaining current on issues and trends in academic advising, career exploration, and college success, particularly for students living with poverty and parenting; Develop collaborative relationships internally and externally to effectively connect students with current information, services, and resources;

Participate in advising events including new student orientations, prospective nursing student information sessions, quarterly group advising sessions, transfer workshops and fairs, etc.

Navigation (40%)

Support access to and application for TANF/WorkFirst funding for tuition, books, and academic fees through the Women’s Programs. Ensure full utilization of TANF and college support;

Collaborate with TRAC Navigators to ensure all support resources are accessed: work with students to address challenges and barriers originating from work-life balance, such as childcare, housing, mental and physical wellness;

Connect student-workers to campus and off-campus supports, such as tutoring, counseling, paying for college, emergency financial grants, food access, housing security, access to public benefits, free tax prep, healthcare, social and COVID-related supports;

Meet and check in regularly with individual students, maintaining hours convenient to students who are parenting, including evening and weekend hours as appropriate;

Develop working relationships with pre-requisite instructors to ensure they are aware of and accommodating to the challenges facing students who are parenting;

Work closely and collaboratively with the entire WorkFirst/Women’s Programs team as well as Student Services;

Study culturally responsive and inclusive advising to support retention of diverse students;

Observe a college 101 course to learn college systems and student success strategies. Attend cohort College 101 spring quarter to provide extra instructional support. A cohort-based College Success course can add to the student’s sense of identity, belonging, and community, elements demonstrated to improve outcomes for minoritized groups such as BIPOC and API students;

Participate in professional development on equity, justice, and inclusion. Serve individuals according to their specific needs, recognizing cultural, socioeconomic and ability differences;

Assist students in accessing technology, including borrowing laptops from Highline’s IT Helpdesk;

Learn Highline College systems: academic systems and support (ctcLink, Aviso/Watermark, advising, technology, Canvas, etc. as well as funding and social supports);

Understand Pre-Nursing pathways and maps of prerequisites to guide students;

Be familiar with all Puget Sound area Nursing programs (LPN, RN, BSN) including prerequisites (with expiration dates if any), GPA requirements, application acceptance cycles;

Understand primary equity and access barriers to minoritized student populations, full time workers and part time students, and participate in the dismantling of these barriers.

Project Management (10%)

Attending regular meetings of project partners to report on progress and contribute to recruitment;

Assist TRAC Navigators in outreach;

Maintain strong communication and working relationships with TRAC Associates and WorkFirst/Women’s Programs staff;

Meet regularly with the on-campus core team to ensure the goals of the project are on track.

Qualifications

MINIMUM:

Associate degree;

AND two (2) years working in higher education in a capacity directly serving students.
OR

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Education, Student Development, Social Work/Psychology, or closely related disciplines (pending degrees must be verified by a letter from the granting institution).

DESIRED:

Experience in career counseling, or university transfer admission/recruitment; Experience working in higher education;

Post-baccalaureate education or Master’s Degree;

Experience serving a diverse population in a multicultural environment;

Experience navigating higher education;

Training or experience in navigation, case management or financial coaching;

Experience with PeopleSoft (ctcLink);

Multilingual.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.THE COLLEGEHighline College prides itself on its commitment to diversity and equity, its institutional culture of collegiality and innovation, its globalization of curricula and its inclusion of the community in its programming. Founded in 1961, Highline College is situated in a diverse community just 15minutes south of Seattle. The college annually serves more than 16,500 students –– a student population of over 70% students of color, representing 35 nations and more than 100 languages. The college embraces equity, inclusion and social justice, with core goals of student attainment, diversity, community Engagement and sustainability. The student body at Highline College is made up of Transfer students, Running Start students, Professional- Technical students, International students, Comprehensive Transition Program for students with intellectual disabilities, Adult Basic Education and English Language Learners. In addition, we offer six bachelor of applied science, four-year degrees.MISSION AND VISIONAs an essential part of our mission and vision, diversity, equity and inclusion are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life.APPLICATION PROCEDUREYour online application must include the following to be considered complete:1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position;3. A one-page response to the Supplemental Question.CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:National Criminal Background Check may be required.APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highlineNEED APPLICATION HELP?Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERHighline College is an equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff, as well as our student population. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identity diversity. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONSThe College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.TITLE IX POLICYHighline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The college provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types).

The Title IX Coordinator, Danielle Slota, can be reached at (206) 592-3600 or DSlota@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, President’s Office.

The 504 Coordinator, Jenni Sandler, can be reached at (206) 592-3474 or JSandler@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 25, 5th Floor.

The Chief Human Resources Officer, Steven Sloniker, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or SSloniker@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.

You can receive this information in an alternate format by contacting Access Services (206) 592-3857; TTY (206) 870-4853.