Position Summary

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world.

Recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 10 community colleges in the nation, Pierce College is an innovative and equity-focused community college dedicated to helping all students achieve their academic and professional goals. Check out our Aspen Institute Award for Community College Excellence. This is Pierce College's second time as an Aspen Prize top finalist.

This is an 18-month project position. The Military Navigator serves as a liaison for the Community and Technical Colleges (CTC) to military service members, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Hawk Career and Education Center stakeholders, business community, workforce agencies, and community-based organizations and intermediaries. The primary responsibilities are to share information about WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) services and CTC training programs and to provide one on one assistance to veterans, transitioning military service members, and their family members to connect them to services and employment opportunities. Additional responsibilities include representing the CTC workforce pathway programs at Career and Education Centers, internal and external meetings, education fairs, briefings, and network and outreach events. The Military Navigator participates in planning activities, maintains up-to-date resources for program offerings and enrollment procedures, and makes appropriate referrals to colleges, WIOA and WIOA Title 1-B programs, and community resources that align with individuals’ education and employment goals. The navigator also collaborates with the University of Washington, Tacoma on Boeing funded project work to provide and/or connect students and/or colleges with resources to aid the transition from student to career.

About the District:
The College enjoys a strong presence in the community and participates in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations. Want a feel for our District, take a peek with aerial campus views!

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom:
Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community and recreational park, and Waughop Lake.

Pierce College Puyallup:
Located on an expansive 125-acre wooded site with beautiful spaces for exploring.

Pierce College at JBLM:
Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) military sites, serving many of our military and active duty families serving our country.

Essential Functions

Project Coordination:

• 
  Coordinate services with the following partners: Career TEAM – provider of QUEST-WIOA DWG and WIOA Title 1-B services; local Community and Technical Colleges (CTCs); transition assistance counselors and the education liaison at JBLM; Workforce Training Navigators; WorkSource Pierce partners; and WorkForce Central.
• Collaborate and communicate regularly with partner colleges and represent partnering colleges as an honest broker; organize and facilitate college coordination meetings, when applicable.
• Maintain communication with and attend regular check-in meetings with the WFC Contract Manager.
• Work closely with Career TEAM to:
  • Learn about QUEST-WIOA DWG and WIOA Title 1-B services, eligibility requirements, and enrollment processes;
  • Share information about military populations’ needs, culture, barriers, and opportunities;
  • Plan for seamless, collaborative, and productive recruitment and referrals; and
  • Follow up with military navigation participants to confirm successful engagement in services.
• Keep and maintain accurate records. Utilize applicable tracking systems.
• Develop, implement, and disseminate quarterly reports to include specific demographic and contact information, work completed, achievements made, new opportunities and challenges to the colleges, WFC, and JBLM Career and Education center partners. Produce and analyze numerical data and communicate data in accessible ways.
• As appropriate, represent partners and colleges on various workgroups and military community organizations, such as Washington Military Transition Council subgroups and SBCTC Veterans Services Military Council.
• Work to develop and include additional relationships and partnerships.

Customer Service:

• Coordinate with partners to connect transitioning military members, military spouses, family members and veterans to QUEST-WIOA DWG and WIOA Title 1-B services, CTC programs, and other workforce system services.
• Respond to service member and family member inquiries regarding resources and programs and connect them to appropriate services to reduce barriers to enrollment and program completion.
• Assist with navigation of enrollment processes, in conjunction with CTCs, Career TEAM, and other partners.
• Complete 2-1-1 Common Referral System (CRS) training and use the CRS to send and receive referrals from Career TEAM, CTCs, other WorkSource Pierce partners, and community services and wraparound supports.
• Stay current with GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, and other complex funding sources available to active duty, transitioning, and veteran service members.
• Train other partner representatives when requested and keep partners up to date on relevant changes in processes and services.

Outreach and Marketing:

• Work with WorkForce Central, Career TEAM, and CTCs to design and implement plans for outreach and securing participant feedback.
• Collaborate with CTCs, WorkForce Central, Career TEAM, and JBLM education and transition entities to develop and distribute online and print promotional materials. Ensure accurate information is disseminated, include all points of contact.
• Conduct outreach to transitioning military service members and veterans from the Army, Air Force, and National Guard, and spouses and family members, to provide information about QUEST-WIOA DWG and WIOA Title 1-B services, CTC training programs, and other workforce system services.
• Represent CTC programs at various transition and education activities such as service member briefs and related activities, job fairs, employer-, college- and/or partner-sponsored events as requested by the partnering entities.
• Review, evaluate, and provide feedback regarding military transition pathway information at Wacareerpaths.com and various websites.
• Develop and operationalize pre-interest and program satisfaction surveys.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree.

Required Experience:

• Experience working in an administrative or program support role.
• Experience maintaining records to document and report information in written or electronic form.
• Experience working directly with adult learners.
• Experience with multiple outreach and recruitment methods; preferably with military/veterans and families and/or in education-related marketing and outreach.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to manage priorities and ensure duties are completed in a timely, effective, and accurate manner.
• Ability to maintain fixed daily office hours and adapt to occasional flexible scheduling in order to represent project partners at special transition and/or education events.
• Ability to remain trustworthy under circumstances of minimal supervision to show initiative, maintain punctuality and professional conduct, and keep supervisor and stakeholders informed.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the partnering colleges and programs as well as JBLM, college and veteran community career development and connection resources.
• Intermediate computer skills to include, MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to support and initiate social media interaction representing the partnering colleges, programs and system.
• Knowledge and understanding of career training programs, depending on role, preferably in Pierce County.
• Knowledge and understanding of workforce development services, education and training, community services, and basic needs assistance available in Pierce County.
• Ability to work and connect successfully with military service members and family members.
• Ability to effectively represent a wide range of stakeholder interests.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational systems effectively, represent programs in a professional manner, and maintain working relationships with stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to evaluate and propose improvements in communication and marketing.
• Ability to evaluate effectiveness of outreach, partner collaboration, and marketing efforts and propose innovations to maximize and improve efficiency of system and processes.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet security standards of Joint Base Lewis-McChord to obtain and maintain access credentials.
• Must maintain vehicle registration, vehicle insurance and driver’s license to use vehicle on military installations.
• Duties require reliable transportation to support frequent travel throughout Pierce, Thurston, and King County.

Application Process

Application Requirements:

• To be considered for this position, applicants must:
• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
• Complete the online application profile at http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/dist/hr/.
• Apply for the specific job opening.
• Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. Be sure to provide specific examples to support your experience, education, training and/or skills. (Cover Letter)
• Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)
• Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position, however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to bring copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and confer date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: www.naces.org/members.htm (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)
• A list of at least two professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
• Submit a response to the following supplemental question: Briefly describe how you have worked in previous or current positions to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion in those organizations and how you would do that in this position.

Special Note: To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Terms of Employment:
This is an overtime-eligible, classified, 18-month project position with Pierce College. The primary work location will be at Pierce College at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, with occasional travel to other Pierce College campuses or sites. Work hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (scheduled hours may vary), with occasional evenings and weekends as required. All positions may be subject to reassignment between campuses or sites.

Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary range of this position is $4,777.00 - $5,960.00 per month (dependent upon qualifications). However, your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, reduced tuition, and retirement benefits are also provided.

Physical Work Environment:
This position is required to work indoors in an office environment.

Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. 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.

Screening & Interview Process:
Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and have met the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.

Conditions of Employment:
This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Pierce College has adopted a Drug Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.

Equal Opportunity:
The Pierce College District is an equal opportunity employer. The Board of Trustees and Pierce College District are committed to providing equal opportunity and will not discriminate in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal.

For more information about this position or assistance regarding your application, contact Human Resources at: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu.

Questions regarding equal employment opportunities or discrimination may be directed to the following:

Sean Cooke
Title IX Coordinator
(253) 840-8472

Tami Jacobs
ADACO/Section 504 Coordinator
(253) 964-6581

Holly Gorski
Vice President for Human Resources
(253) 964-6519

Paula Henson-Williams
District Affirmative Action Officer
(253) 864-3229