Position Summary
Big Bend Community College (BBCC), a rural college serving vibrant, culturally rich communities in the Columbia Basin of Central Washington invites applications for an Academic Advisor in the college's Student Services Department.
The Academic Advisor plays a pivotal role in igniting a passion for learning and personal growth in students. The responsibilities of this position revolve around providing comprehensive, student-centered, personalized guidance and holistic support that empowers students to realize their full potential and become lifelong learners and leaders in their communities.
BBCC’s organizational strength is captured in our small but mighty spirit. A small college taking on BIG things to enact BIG change to lift our students and employees. We are dedicated to extending postsecondary access to all our service district members and providing an environment for all to grow personally and professionally, steered by our mission and vision.
Vision: To become our communities’ first choice to dream, learn, and succeed.
Mission
Serve as a Bridge
Stand as a Leader
Support for Success
Our guiding principles are a call to action, establishing a standard for how we interact with each other, present BBCC in the community, serve students AND act upon areas of inequity.
Guiding Principles
Honor our Role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Advocate for Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity
Embrace our Workplace Norms
Innovate Proactively
Model Integrity
Educate All
If you share these values, we encourage you to come be a part of the movement happening at Big Bend Community College.
This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by June 20, 2024. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
Primary essential responsibilities include but will not be limited to the following:
- Identify and apply research-driven advising practices to optimize student learning, development, and success.
- Foster an inclusive and equitable advising environment to meet the diverse needs of our student population.
- Guide students in developing their educational plans, including understanding certificate and/or degree requirements, prerequisites, and future academic steps, helping students navigate clear, structured academic and career pathways to ensure timely completion of their educational and career goals.
- Identify relevant campus resources and refer students to appropriate services to support their academic and personal needs.
- Maintain a consistent pattern of contact through multiples channels of communication to encourage a trusting relationship.
- Conduct follow-up with students identified through early alert systems.
- Foster collaboration and partnerships with academic departments, student services offices, and student organizations to enhance support services, develop a culture of inclusivity and belonging, and promote student persistence, retention and success.
- Conduct individual advising sessions to assist students with course selection, academic planning, and goal setting.
- Provide students with detailed information about academic policies and procedures to help them make informed decisions.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of advising practices through assessment tools, surveys, and feedback mechanisms. Make data-driven recommendations for program enhancements and modifications, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Stay abreast of current trends, best practices, and research in academic advising. Participate in professional development activities, workshops, and training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
- Proactively engage with students through various channels, including personalized outreach and proactive messaging initiatives.
- Serve as a Subject Matter Expert for a designated academic Area of Interest.
- Tailor presentations for diverse audiences to share insights, strategies, and outcomes that promote inclusivity and active engagement.
- Assist with facilitation of, and participate in, New Student Enrollment sessions, providing guidance and support to incoming students to ensure a smooth transition into college life and academics.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, the Academic Advisor will contribute significantly to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to persist, succeed, and achieve their academic goals.
OTHER WORK RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work and interact effectively with a diverse community, recognizing and respecting various cultural, socio-economic, and ability backgrounds. Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that reflects the college's commitment to diversity and equity.
- Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions, ensuring courteous and efficient communication with team members, students, and campus partners.
- Contribute to the ongoing refinement and documentation of processes and procedures, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and efficiency.
- Exercise discretion when managing confidential information.
- Uphold the values of the college in every interaction, contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Be available to work limited evenings and weekends, as needed, for events. Be prepared to travel for meetings, training, or conferences.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of oneself and others by adhering to safe work practices and policies. This includes, but is not limited to, understanding security and safety protocols, familiarity with safety data sheets (SDS), adherence to equipment safety guidelines, fire and disaster preparedness, safe lifting practices, and maintaining awareness of proper body mechanics.
Minimum & Desirable Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associates degree from a regionally accredited institution and three years of experience advising and/or directly serving students or clients; OR Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Experience advising and/or directly serving students or clients.
- Strong written communication skills, highly organized and detail-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy and meet deadlines even amidst interruptions. This will be assessed by an evaluation of your application materials.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a professional and supportive demeanor when engaging with diverse populations.
- Demonstrated commitment to pursuing equitable outcomes for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Adaptable and capable of problem-solving in dynamic environments.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Appreciation for and alignment with the mission of community colleges.
- Bicultural experience
- Background in an educational setting, with a preference for experience at a community college.
- Experience in academic advising.
Application Instructions
This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by June 20, 2024. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.
To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:
- BBCC Online application.
- Cover letter, addressing why you are interested in this position and how your qualifications make you the ideal candidate.*
- Comprehensive resume or CV.*
- Response(s) to the questions found in the Supplemental Questions Tab above.* Supplemental questions are designed to address the Additional Desirable qualifications list in the job posting.
- Unofficial transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate course work and degrees. Official transcripts required upon employment.*
NOTE: You must complete the online application in full and respond to the required supplemental questions. Failure to provide this information or responses of "See Resume" may eliminate you from consideration for this position. The college reserves the right to remove documents, submitted but not requested, by BBCC as part of the application process. These documents include, but are not limited to statements of teaching philosophy, diversity statement, letters of recommendation, student evaluations, performance evaluations, etc.
BBCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.
This posting does not reflect the entire job description and may be changed and/or modified, at any time, without notice.
If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 1-855-524-5627.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete the questions.
Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform the position.
An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of Big Bend Community College 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.
Official transcripts must be provided to the college upon hire.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Big Bend provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Please direct all inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity, and/or grievances to the Vice President of Human Resources & Labor/Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Section 504 Coordinator, BBCC 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837; 509-793-2026 or via email at hroffice@bigbend.edu.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE CAMPUS:
In compliance with state and federal regulations, BBCC is committed to a safe and drug and alcohol-free campus. Employees are expected to comply with BBCC’s policy prohibiting illegal drug use or activity, including notifications of criminal drug convictions and the use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that are likely to affect job safety. The complete policy and procedure are available to view on the policies page (Download PDF reader) of the BBCC website. Printed copies of the policy and procedure are available by contacting the Human Resources Office at 509-793-2008.
BBCC ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT:
BBCC strives to be a safe and secure campus for our students, employees, and community. Detailed information regarding campus security, crime statistics for the most recent-three year period, and other information is available on the Campus Safety and Security page of the BBCC website. If you have questions or would like a printed copy of the materials please contact Campus Safety and Security at 509-793-2286.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
Big Bend Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or sensory disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, marital status, pregnancy status or families with children, a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, genetic information, and/or status as a veteran or any other legally protected classification.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $56,940.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evenings as needed
- Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person
