Peer Advocate - Counseling & Advising

Who We Are

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping.

Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes.

The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost.

We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community.

Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses.

In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition.

TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities.

We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black / African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

To this end, TCC seeks applicants who :

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Highlights

These positions welcome prospective, new and current students to the College's Advising, Counseling & Career Services Center.

The staff members assist students to navigate the entry experience of coming to college for the first time. These positions assist current students solve problems and identify the best resources for assistance in Counseling and Advising, as well as other key areas within Student Services through cross-training.

Essential Functions

• Greet and welcome prospective, new and continuing students entering the Counseling, Advising & Transitions Services center.
• Screen, prioritize and respond appropriately to incoming telephone calls as initial contact for multiple programs; resolve problems, respond to inquiries and handle referrals for services from various sources.
• Assist students to understand and navigate procedures related to all aspects of entry services including admissions, assessment, orientation, advising, registration, financial aid and tuition payment.
• Problem solve with students to resolve routine challenges and concerns related to advising, counseling, transition services, career exploration, worker retraining and Running Start services.
• Make appropriate referrals to other campus and community resources as special needs are identified that go beyond the nature of this position.
• Set- up individual appointments for students to meet with advisors, counselors, Running Start Educational Planners
• Prepare reports and maintain data related to work groups including advising, counseling, retention and orientation services.
• Maintain and update department records such as Outlook calendars, web pages, advisor dashboard, program flyers.
• Participate in team projects, planning, cross-training and quality improvement efforts to improve services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Experience providing customer assistance regarding inquiries, complaints and problem solving or other professional office setting experience
• Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and other business related software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of College's community resources and programs

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.
• Must have reliable transportation.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

• Skill in building and maintaining internal / external customer satisfaction.
• An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
• Ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgment.
• Tact and diplomacy in responding to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintain good working relationships among internal and external customers.
• Independent judgment displaying balanced thinking that combines analysis, wisdom, experience, and perspective.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Focus on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them. Identifies what needs to be done and proactively takes appropriate action.
• Ability to put visitors and students at ease even during busy, peak high demand periods.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Strength in explaining complex information.
• The ability to multi-task and use time management techniques to complete work within given time periods.
• This is a part-time position and funding for this position is contingent upon continued college support.

Application Process

Complete application packages must include the following :

• Tacoma Community College online application.
• Cover letter and Resume .

Terms of Employment

This is part-time hourly position is bound by the WAC 357-04-045 provisions above and is scheduled to work Tuesday 8am-5pm, Wednesday 8 : 00am-5 : 00pm The pay rate is $18.

00 - $18.00 per hour. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet department needs. TCC Part-time hourly and student employees including work study students, will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours work ed .

Hourly non-student employees may be applicable for comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance.

Life and long- term disability insurance plans and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page / employment benefits : https : / / www.

tacomacc.edu / about / employment /

Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma 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). 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 persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies : Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055;

Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Building 7, 253-566-5328. Tacoma Community College is a smoke-free / drug free environment.

This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.

Tacoma Community College

Human Resources

6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466

www.tacomacc.edu / about / employment