Hiring a Running Start Support Specialist
Position Summary:
The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities to a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. The Pierce College District is committed to being an anti-racist institution; to truly be anti-racist we must work deliberately to eliminate barriers that have prevented the most promising and capable students from entering and thriving in college. We work to ensure that every student in the Pierce College District feels valued, respected, and inspired to achieve their goals. We provide a brave space for Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ/QTPOC students, students with disabilities, and all students and staff to seek refuge, and an opportunity for them to cultivate their strengths, intelligence, resilience, and creativity.
To learn more about our Equity, Engagement, and Belonging efforts, please visit: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/equity-engagement-and-belonging.
The Running Start Program Specialist (Program Specialist 2) works under general supervision to execute operations for the Pierce College District Running Start (RS) program. The Program Specialist 2 will have extensive contact with current and prospective program participants, parents/guardians, college faculty/staff and high school staff. The Program Specialist 2 serves as a contact for the Running Start Program at Pierce College Puyallup and works with the Running Start staff across the district to plan and deliver excellent customer service and high qualify support to program participants.
This position reports to the Director of P-12 Partnerships and requires regular and consistent attendance.
Essential Functions:
Direct Student Support/Customer Service
Collaborate and maintain relationships with multiple internal departments and/or divisions to correctly identify and serve Running Start students (i.e. Advising, Cashiering, Finance, etc.)
Respond to equity-centered customer service requests including communications to high school staff partners, students, and parent/legal guardian partners via different modes of communication including email, texting, phone calls, webpage editing, and information sessions.
Confers regularly with Running Start team regarding the interpretation and implementation of program policies; participates in establishing program standards and identifying areas for program development;
Manage the Running Start email. On a daily basis, check RS inbox. Evaluate response needed: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and direct inquiries to the appropriate point of contact.
Through one-on-one interactions, guide new and continuing students who need general support in navigating their college experience. Mentor and teach RS students how to navigate the college environment and communication tools.
Cashiering Support for Running Start
Serve as the Running Start specific cashier for Pierce College, performing related duties outlined as a Customer Service Specialist.
Use established procedures to maintain accurate, detailed fiscal transactions and records centering on Running Start.
Ensure accurate EVF information is entered into student records and accounts. Collaborate with Cashiering Office as necessary.
Provides student guidance on how to use payment and account tools, set up tuition installment plans.
Communicate to Running Start team any resolutions to problems and issues that arise.
Book Loan Program Operations Support
Serve as a support for the Book Loan program; answer questions and process requests.
Inform students of the Book Loan program including detailing important instructions and deadlines.
Regularly compile list of all book loan requests and source determinations.
Inform campus libraries and bookstores of requests and coordinate distribution with staff and students.
Communicate loan return instructions quarterly
Open and close online Running Start Book Loan applications as necessary.
Suggest improvements to streamline access, receipt and return of borrowed items as part of the Book Loan program.
Enrollment Support for Running Start
Retain working knowledge of enrollment steps for Pierce College resources available to students and referrals to services.
Direct enrollment inquiries to the appropriate point of contact.
Assist Running Start Specialist with processing of EVF submissions as needed.
Upload Running Start EVFs to student milestones.
Outreach and Marketing
Collaborate with Running Start team to draft official communications and correspondence with applicants, students, and staff.
Monitor Running Start website and make recommendations to the Running Start team.
Represent Pierce College and Running Start at local meetings by providing information and recommendations for the benefit of the Running Start program.
Work with Running Start team to determine dates for information sessions and new student orientations.
Other duties as assigned
Respond to special requests for data as needed in alignment with institutional outcomes.
Work to advance Pierce College’s goal of becoming an antiracist institution.
Complete special projects and provide back-up as assigned.
Required Education:
An Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field OR equivalent work experience. For an Associate's Degree, the equivalent work experience is considered to be two (2) years.
Required Experience:
Experience providing customer service via phone, email, and in person.
Ability and commitment to work intentionally with populations from diverse backgrounds, life experiences and abilities.
Ability to conduct sedentary office work for long periods of time (sitting at a desk when executing administrative duties).
Experience using Microsoft Office programs
Position requires operating a computer, communicating, observing, and repetitive motions, exerting between 10-30 pounds of force occasionally to put, install, remove, or otherwise move objects.
Special Requirements:
The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background checkaftera conditional offer of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in this position.
Application Process:
To be considered for this position, applicants must
Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
Complete the online application profile and apply for the specific job opening at:https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr
Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.(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 submit copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Please upload current copies of your transcripts, if available. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and conferral date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: www.naces.org/members.html (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire).(Transcripts)
Upload (attach) a list of at least three professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
Provide a response to the following question: (Supplemental Question) "How does this position impact the College's goal to support all students and efforts to move Black and Brown student excellence forward?"
For definitions of certain equity, engagement, and belonging language, please visit: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/eeb-definitions
Special Note: To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.