Tribal Transition Specialist - South Puget Sound Community College : Job Details

Salary: $60,062.00 AnnuallyLocation : Olympia Main Campus, WAJob Type: Full-timeJob Number: 204-2425Division: InstructionDepartment: Applied Technology(204)Opening Date: 01/09/2025 Our Opportunity(SPSCC) seeks a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Tribal Transition Specialist to support the Applied Technology department. This is a temporary position with the possibility of extension. South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti racist policy development coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district. And if that isn't enough? We also offer:

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work depending on position and college needs
• Fine dining in the , offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices as part of our Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs
• The serving Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food items from our baking/culinary students
• A brand new
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE on our campuses - permits are not required
• On-campus
• Percival Creek which runs beneath our campus footbridge, provides year-round beauty and views of Chinook, Coho, and chum salmon pass through each fall
• Many walking paths that are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of different on campus
• Lots of activities with our , which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in the
• that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally, and which affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  • Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network that strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust building across different groups through shared values.
  • The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility.

What You'll DoThe Tribal Transition Specialist reports directly to the Dean of Applied Technology. This position is the main point of contact for all Tribal students at SPSCC who, often in coordination with the Director of Tribal Programming, completed ABE, High School+, or similar pre-college program while place-based with their tribe of membership. The Tribal Transition Specialist will work with SPSCC staff and faculty to guide Tribal students into and through the often-complex processes and services at SPSCC so they can navigate college-level courses and degree pathways successfully.This position will focus on the following objectives:

• Providing holistic academic and student support services that promote Tribal student access, retention, and success in college-level courses and degree pathways.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with college faculty and administration in the Science, Math, and Computer Science pathways to:
  • Collaborate with Tribal subject-matter experts to develop curricular activities that integrate traditional ecological knowledge into select computer science, science, math, and possible future natural resource courses/pathway and
  • Coordinate with Tribal government/enterprise employers, tribally-aligned government agencies, and non-government organizations to develop field experiences and work-based learning partnerships.
• Assisting the SPSCC Office of Instruction and the SBCTC with the assessment of the regional needsof Tribal government/enterprise employers as well as relevant government agencies and non-government environmental and engineering firmsfor a BAS degree at SPSCC focused on natural resource management-type skills and knowledge.
• The ability to manage projects and programs from initiation to full implementation.

Primary academic and student support service responsibilities that promote Tribal student access, retention, and success in college-level courses and degree pathways (include but are not limited to the following):

• Approach this work with an equity lens, creating a barrier-free and inclusive environment for students.
• Advocate for and guide Tribal students who are completing High School+ and GED preparation, in collaboration with the Director of Tribal Programming, through individual or small group information sessionsin coordination with Admissions, Enrollment, Outreach, Placement, Advising, and Financial Aid personnel:
  • Expect to flex schedule to accommodate information sessions during enrollment periods;
  • Monitor and track information session participants;
  • Help Tribal students fill out required intake and admissions forms;
  • Provide Tribal students with information and referrals to community and institution resources, and financial aid opportunities, including information on FAFSA, WAFSA, Opportunity Grant, and Ability to Benefit;
  • Review degree plans with Ed Planners, deans, and faculty;
  • Develop a plan for persistence, which includes barrier reduction strategies and goal setting; and
  • Coordinate with the Executive Diversity Officer and the Director of the A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center - to provide Tribal students a soft hand-off to access academic support and personal services.
• Collaborate with Transition Studies, Outreach, Public Relations, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Applied Technology to provide accessible information and materials regarding college pathways.
• Use a case management approach to provide retention and follow-up services with students:
  • Coordinate with faculty regarding course enrollment, student progress, and participation.
  • Monitor enrollment and provide information regarding enrollment trends and predictions to the Deans of Natural and Applied Sciences and Applied Technology.
  • Collect, prepare, and report data via college reporting systems.
  • Help Tribal students explore internship, job, and advanced education/transfer opportunities.

Key knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position:

• Knowledge of SPSCC's Tribal partnerships.
• Knowledge of Tribal protocol, decision-making, and administrative processes.
• Ability to learn how to assess the academic needs of Tribal individuals from varying backgrounds, with disabilities, with various gender identities and sexual orientations, who are low-income, who are Veterans, or who have experienced trauma.
• Experience in culturally rooted and responsive education strategies for American Indian/Alaska Native learners and support of families of Indigenous learners.
• Ability to provide academic advising and/or employment services in higher education.

Qualifications You Possess Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education or studies centered on American Indian and Indigenous studies, education and pedagogy, education leadership, science, political science, literature, or human services.
• Enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaskan Native Nation.
• At least one year of experience working with, and/or on behalf of, an American Indian/Alaska Native population or Indigenous-serving organization/entity/project/program.
• Intermediate experience with MS Office Suite and other applications.
• Ability to maintain organized records and tracking.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and maintain student confidentiality.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with others.

To ApplyApplications must be completed online and include the following attachments:

Cover letter addressed to the Screening Committee highlighting your ability to perform the responsibilities and competencies described in the job posting.

Current resume/CV showing all educational and professional experience demonstrates how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.

Unofficial transcripts

Top candidates will be notified directly to interview for this position. Selection will be based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed in this job posting as identified in the materials requested above. Applications with comments directing the reader to see attachments will be considered incomplete.Veterans PreferenceApplicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans Preference should redact their personally identifiable information from a copy of their United States Department of Veterans Affairs honorable discharge documentation and email it to [email protected] with the job number for which they are applying in the subject line.Background Check Condition of EmploymentEmployment with the college is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Any adverse information will be considered on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically preclude a candidate from employment.South Puget Sound Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and EducatorSouth Puget Sound Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, 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). SPSCC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, Title II and Title IX, Samantha Dotson, Executive Human Resource Officer /Title IX Coordinator, 360-###-####, , Building 25, Room 220, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512; South Puget Sound Community College is a smoke-free/drug-free environment.Applicants needing accommodation in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (360) ###-####.SPSCC OFFERS:A generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and optional deferred compensation programs. The position is eligible to participate in the (SBRP) and (DRS). Employees have the option to participate in two tax-deferred retirement investment programs. For health benefit information go to COMPENSATIONYour paycheck is just part of your total compensation package, with an employee benefits package worth about 30% of your salary. VACATION AND SICK LEAVEAnnual leave includes 24 days of vacation, 11 paid holidays, and 12 days of sick leaveFor more benefits information please visit our website.01 Describe how you would work to create a campus environment that is inclusive and welcoming, particularly to those from historically underrepresented or under-served populations. 02 Describe how you use critical thinking skills to understand diverse perspectives. 03 How do you demonstrate listening skills with the intention and ability to attend to what others are saying? Required Question