Academic Advising - Engagement Specialist
Job ID: 15889
Location: Cascadia College
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
About Us
Cascadia College is seeking highly motivated individuals who are interested in being part of a small yet dynamic community, with a faculty and staff that are dedicated to meeting the needs of our intersectional, diverse students. Cascadia College is committed to creating and supporting an equitable and inclusive faculty, staff, and student population centered on dismantling systemic oppression and historic marginalization. Individual differences are celebrated in a community of learners focused on social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Application Instructions
Vacancy Announcement
Academic Advisor: Engagement Advisor
Priority Consideration Deadline: August 17th, 2026
ATTENTION CANDIDATES!
In order to submit a complete application and receive full consideration by the Search Committee, please include the following attachments with your online application:
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Equity Statement (expected length 500 to 800 words) to include each of the following elements:
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A description of a time when you recognized an equity issue. What was the issue? What did you do to make a difference? What did you learn about equity through this experience?
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A detailed description of how you are seeking to learn more about equity related issues including but not limited to race, gender, LGBTQ+, disability (ableism), age (ageism), socioeconomic class, and body diversity.
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An explanation of how you will contribute to equity at Cascadia (i.e. closing the achievement gap and raising the retention rates amongst historically marginalized students), as well as actively work against the institutionalized norms of oppression against historically marginalized people.
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Cover Letter (not to exceed 1,000 words) that specifically addresses how your qualifications and experiences meet or exceed the minimum qualifications, preferred qualifications, and the characteristics of the position.
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Resume
Position Overview
Under the direction of the
Director of Student Advising and Success Services, the
Academic Advisor - Engagement Specialist promotes student engagement with academic advising and manages communications related to academic deadlines, policies, and events through Navigate360 and other communication platforms. The Academic Advisor also supports the department's general advising functions by providing educational planning, career exploration, transfer planning, and academic success support to students enrolled in Cascadia's transfer programs.
The Academic Advisor applies equity-focused and transformational advising practices to provide accessible, equitable, and high-quality educational experiences that support students in achieving their educational and career goals. Services are delivered in both individual and group settings, including in-person, telephone, email, and virtual formats. This position also serves as the Navigate360 Content Administrator, responsible for managing student-facing content within the platform.
As an
Academic Advisor, the incumbent is expected to demonstrate daily a high degree of empathy, cultural awareness, and commitment to student success when working with students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This includes fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, promotes equity in all areas of practice, and actively challenges institutional barriers that negatively affect historically marginalized population
Employee Type: Full Time Exempt, Permanent
Initial Salary: $74,123.04 (includes 5% King County Premium Pay) County Premium Pay (KCPP)
Supervising Position: Director of Student Advising & Success Services
Essential Duties
General Transfer Student Advising
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Assist students with course selection and promoting academic progress planning.
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Assist students with short-term and long-term goal setting, major, transfer planning and career exploration.
- Assist students in understanding and meeting course prerequisites.
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Interpret test scores and unofficial transcripts and assign appropriate equivalencies
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Deliver individual and/or group advising in person, by telephone, email or video conference settings
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Apply equity focused and transformational advising practices to promote an accessible, equitable and superior education experience for all students.
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Promote student success through proactive advising, support, and intervention strategies.
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Connect students to on-campus resources to support their academic and personal success.
Design and deliver advising-related materials (e.g. handouts, webpages, and presentations) that support departmental goals and student success initiatives.
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Committees/Meetings
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Participate in advising-related and campus-wide meetings, committees, and training activities as requested by the Director of Student Advising and Student Success.
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Attend and participate in professional development opportunities and professional organizations to remain current in the field of academic advising and student success.
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Attend and participate in statewide advisory groups and professional networks.
Student Engagement
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Serve as the Content Administrator for Navigate 360, responsible for configuring student-facing content and maintaining information visible to students.
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Serve on the Navigate 360 Implementation Team, which oversees software implementation and support students, faculty and staff.
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Attend training sessions and workshops to support effective use and administration of Navigate360.
- Develop and manage a student communication plan related to academic deadlines, academic policies, and student success reminders using multiple communication platforms.
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Create and maintain communication templates to support academic advising communications.
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Promote the use of Navigate 360 and the Navigate 360 App among currently enrolled students.
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Promote student engagement in academic advising, with a focus on BIPOC students and traditionally underserved populations.
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Assess the effectiveness of student engagement programs and initiatives.
- Other related duties as assigned
Education & Experience
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience working in student services at a postsecondary institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.
Demonstrated commitment to and interest in diversity, equity and inclusion and the ability to support a multicultural workplace and educational environment.
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Preferred Qualifications:
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Master¿s degree in Student Development Administration, Education, Counseling or relevant field from a regionally accredited college or university.
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Two years of experience as an academic advisor, educational planner, career counselor or in a related student services role at a postsecondary institution.
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Demonstrated experience developing and implementing programs that promote retention, persistence, and completion among historically marginalized and underserved student populations.
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Experience using student success technology (e.g. ctclink/PeopleSoft, EAB Navigate).
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One year of experience working in student services at a community or technical college.
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Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering relevant presentations to diverse audiences.
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Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a language in addition to English.
Knowledge of:
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Advising practices and principles
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Best practices in the field of retention and completion of community college students
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Customer service principles
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Student Management System
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Microsoft Office applications
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Recordkeeping principles
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English language, grammar, and punctuation
- Principles and practices in area of assignment
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Report preparation techniques
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Assigned department operations and functions
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Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations
Skill in:
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Applying advising practices
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Presentation skills
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Demonstrated strong telephone, email and interpersonal communication skills
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Collecting and analyzing student completion and retention data
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Recognizing problems, identifying alternative solutions, and making appropriate recommendations
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Applying and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and and/or procedures
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Exercising judgment and discretion
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A customer service orientation with a strong desire to interact with students from diverse backgrounds
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Attention to detail
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Maintaining various confidential records
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Flexibility and openness to change as part of working in a dynamic learning environment
Ability to:
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Learn and use the Washington State computer student management system in order to successfully provide student admissions and registration services
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Acquire and use detailed knowledge of state and campus policies and procedures governing admissions, advising and registration
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Work with multi-ethnic and culturally diverse populations with a strong commitment to pluralism
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Work independently and manage multiple tasks
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Organize, prioritize and work effectively in a busy office environment
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Contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity/pluralism and use of diverse perspectives when interacting with others
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Research effectively and provide accurate information on transfer requirements for programs external to Cascadia College
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Work collaboratively in a team environment
Physical Work Environment
Semi-Sedentary Work: Involves staying in a stationary position to a significant degree. Jobs are sedentary if moving is required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
The College is currently in hybrid operations, with many assignments completed in an online environment during this time. Full-time employees are expected to be on-campus at least three (3) days per week with the option to work remotely for the remainder of their working days. This position will perform work in a standard office setting, use standard office equipment and physically attend meetings both on and off campus and requires the ability to communicate in person or through appropriate means.
Positions in this class typically require operating a computer, communicating, observing, and repetitive motions.
This position involves exerting between 10-30 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to transport, put, install, remove, or otherwise move objects, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Condition of Employment
As an institution that upholds the value of diversity, equity and inclusion of every individual, Cascadia College expects its employees to embody and promote these values. Both current and prospective employees of the College are encouraged to seek deeper understanding in these areas as part of professional growth.
Cascadia College maintains a drug-free work and learning environment and prohibits smoking in all college buildings and state-owned vehicles.
Benefits
Cascadia College offers comprehensive Benefits packages to support you and your family in a variety of ways. All eligible employees, retirees, and their dependents are offered: medical, dental, and vision plan options; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts; leave programs; employee assistance programs; tuition waiver; optional credit union participation; optional home/auto insurance, and retirement planning.
To learn more about the benefits offered here, please click on the Employee Benefits tab located on our Jobs at Cascadia webpage or click here: https://www.cascadia.edu/about/jobs/default.aspx
Campus Safety
In recognition of the Jeanne Clery Act, information on our campus safety can be found at www.uwb.edu/safety.
Cascadia Commitment
Cascadia College is committed to creating and supporting a diverse faculty, staff and student population. Individual differences are celebrated in a community of learners focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Cascadia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, genetic information, marital or honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, and is prohibited from discrimination in such a manner by college policy and state and federal law. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process may make request to the Human Resources Office by calling (425) 352-8880.
