Academic Pathway Advisor

Academic Pathway Advisor

Salary

$57,000.00 - $63,000.00 Annually

Location

Highline College 2400 S 240th St Des Moines, WA

Job Type

SALARIED OVERTIME ELIGIBLE

Job Number

20260609-APA

Division

STUDENT SERVICES

Opening Date

06/09/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

Posting will remain open until filled. Priority consideration for applications received by Sunday June 21, 2026.

The Academic Pathway Advisor provides academic advising and academic planning services to community college students. As part of Phase 2 of Highline's 4-phase advising model, the Pathway Advisor supports new students (0-30 credits) in their transition to college by teaching students to explore and connect interests, values, skills and goals with academic program offerings and future transfer or career opportunities. The Pathway Advisors remain current on certificate/degree programs, transfer options and careers within the college pathways. Pathway Advisors develop proactive strategies to engage students within their first 30 credits at the college in early career exploration, educational planning, course selection and enrollment, college navigation strategies, and understanding of graduation requirements for their chosen program. Advising may be conducted in groups, on an individual basis, via email, phone, or virtually, and through programming and outreach.

This position is salaried overtime-eligible, at-will, full-time position.

Must have availability to work 8:00 am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday (Monday through Thursday in Summer).

Essential Tasks

Reporting to the Director of Advising, Career, and Transfer Services, this position will:

Academic advising and direct student support (70%)

• Provide general academic advising to current college students within their first 30 credits at the college;
• Create academic plans with and for students in their 30 credits at Highline, using various advising tools and informed by degree pathway program maps;
• Teach students to explore academic degree options, identify appropriate courses, navigate college processes, and begin to consider their next steps of career either via direct to workforce program or via transfer to a baccalaureate program;
• Teach students to access and use student services and other academic resources, both on campus and virtually;
• Facilitate engaging, effective group advising, transfer and career exploration sessions;
• Evaluate unofficial high school and college transcripts for course placement and initial degree planning;
• Maintain student records, documenting and summarizing advising sessions;
• Communicate and interpret academic policies and procedures to students, faculty, and staff;
• Adhere to institutional, state, and federal policies related to confidentiality, and required reporting;
• Participate in advising events including new student orientations, workshops, and group advising sessions, career focused workshops and outreach to groups of students in classes and through special events.

Student programming and workshops (15%)

• Facilitate pathway exploration workshops;
• Facilitate group advising and course registration workshops;
• Facilitate career and transfer exploration workshops.

Administrative (15%)

• Assist with the development and maintenance of advising guides, career and transfer information, forms, publications, and webpages ensuring accuracy and clarity;
• Support departmental operations as needed to include advising students in the general population, reception of students at the front counter, responding to email and phone inquiries;
• Develop collaborative relationships internally and externally to effectively connect students with current information, services, and resources;
• Develop relationships with faculty to support faculty advising initiatives and facilitate student advising connections with faculty;
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities, remaining current on issues and trends in academic advising and college success;
• Attend staff, department, and divisional meetings;
• Serve on various campus committees, including screening committees;
• Participate in campus-wide events or functions.

Ability to:

• Assess student advising needs and use time effectively and efficiently;
• Clearly and effectively communicate verbally and in writing;
• Represent the college in a professional, culturally-competent manner;
• Provide excellent customer service and adapt to meet individual student needs;
• Problem solve, research, and synthesize information;
• Demonstrate ethics, integrity and sound professional judgment;
• Gauge audience needs and facilitate engaging, relevant group presentations;
• Simplify complex considerations and processes, from a teaching and learning framework;
• Initiate and maintain positive working relationships with students and colleagues;
• Multi-task, prioritize, and balance time in a cyclic work environment;
• Work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team;
• Maintain confidentiality and make appropriate referrals of a sensitive nature;
• Use technology including Microsoft Office, Google applications, and internet browsers for research, communications, and data tracking.

Knowledge of:

• Advising best practices, including advising as teaching and learning;
• Career counseling techniques;
• Career Exploration frameworks;
• Washington State transfer policies or processes;
• Higher education services, such as admissions, registration, and transfer;
• College academic degree offerings;
• Career counseling techniques;
• Student success practices in the community college, including approaches to reducing institutional barriers to access, retention, and completion.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2 years of experience in academic advising, student support, college access, case management, or closely related roles within an educational setting;

AND

• Experience serving a diverse population in a multicultural environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree;
• Experience working in higher education, particularly at a community college;
• Knowledge of student development theories and promising practices in academic advising;
• Experience using ctcLink (PeopleSoft);
• Bilingual proficiency preferred.

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

THE COLLEGE

Founded in 1961, Highline College was the first community college to be established in King County and is one of 34 community and technical colleges. More than 350,000 alumni have graduated from Highline over the years. Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, we are located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup and many other Coast Salish tribes.

Highline prioritizes access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values. We are proud Highline strives to improve access to Education for our student community. Those who come to our college bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives and make us better. We strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students, staff, and faculty by fostering a equal opportunity focused workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Your online application must include the following to be considered complete:

1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;

2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

National Criminal Background Check may be required.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highline

NEED APPLICATION HELP?

Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.

HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Highline College is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects all cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the states free telecommunication access service.

TITLE IX POLICY

Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/

The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The college provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, 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).

The Title IX Coordinator, Danielle Slota, can be reached at (206) 592-3600 or DSlota@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, President's Office

For accessibility needs, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or MLawson@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.

The Vice President of Human Resources, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or MLawson@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.

You can receive this information in an alternate format by contacting hrstaff@highline.edu.

Benefits for full time employees are explained in detail on our Benefits Summary page.

01

Do you have a minimum of 2 years of experience in academic advising, student support, college access, case management, or closely related roles within an educational setting?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have experience serving a diverse population in a multicultural environment?

• Yes
• No

03

I understand that to be consider for this position my application must be complete. Your online application must include the following to be considered complete: 1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position; 2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position;

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Highline College (WA)

Address MS 12-A P.O. Box 98000

Des Moines, Washington, 98198-9800

Phone 206-592-3601

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highline