AFT Staff, Career & Academic Advisor, Running Start

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

WCC offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

About Our Community

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu

General Description of Work

Position Title: Advisor, Running Start
Classification: AFT Staff
FTE: 1.0 FTE. Position may also be cyclic (less than 12 calendar months, with designated work period e.g. August to June or September to July, etc.) via applicable job posting.
Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required and scheduled in advance.
FLSA Status: Overtime Eligible

Responsibilities

• Manages group and individual career and academic advising sessions, student engagement opportunities, and high-impact practices in person, online, and via phone, including occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Assists students with academic planning, career exploration, and transfer pathway development, while identifying barriers to success and connecting students with appropriate academic, financial, and social support services.
• Supports and coordinates Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) intervention strategies for students identified as at risk of not meeting academic standards.
• Develops and implements outreach, onboarding, and first-year experience initiatives to support student transition and engagement in the Running Start program.
• Plans and facilitates advising workshops, orientation sessions, and informational meetings for students, families, and partner institutions.
• Fosters and maintains relationships with high schools, parents, and community partners to promote awareness and participation in Running Start.
• Supports process improvement efforts related to advising practices, student communication, and service delivery to enhance the student experience.
• Represents the college at professional events and serves on committees as assigned to support institutional goals and student success initiatives.
• Provides advising and customer service support within Orca Central, ensuring students receive timely and accurate assistance with enrollment and student services.
• Contributes to ongoing improvements in Guided Pathways, advising systems, and student engagement strategies to strengthen retention and completion outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited college or university. Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations, including high school and early college students.
• Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree. Bilingual skills (Spanish, Ukrainian, Punjabi, Russian, Mandarin, American Sign Language or Unified English Braille). Experience working in a community college setting, particularly in student advising, student success, and/or student retention. The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.