Open Doors Student Specialist

Open Doors Student Specialist

Salary

$66,000.00 Annually

Location

Mount Vernon Campus, Mount Vernon, WA

Job Type

Exempt

Job Number

E26-013

Department

Student Services

Division

Student Support Programs

Opening Date

06/23/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The Opportunity: The Open Doors Navigator works as part of a team to provide intentional interventions, advising, and support to students ages 16 to 21, who have disconnected from local school districts or who are not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21. This position works with local school district partners to support student engagement, enrollment, and completion of educational goals at Skagit Valley College. Open Doors is a high school completion program for eligible individuals who are 16 to 21 years of age and who are deficient in high school credits.

This position will collaborate with college staff, faculty, school district, and community partners to develop and enhance relationships in order to improve persistence and completion rates for High School completion students. The position will maintain an understanding of Basic Education for Adults (BEdA), high school completion, GED, and college program requirements to ensure students have access to all educational opportunities. Work hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. On occasion, evening and weekend work may be required.

This is an exempt, full-time 12-month position working at the Mount Vernon Campus. This position will work within the BEdA Program unit under the supervision of the Associate Dean of Student Support Programs. This is a contract-funded position and is dependent upon continued funding. This position works onsite at the main campus located in Mount Vernon, Washington.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."

SVCs commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and to diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People's, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion.

Did You Know: Skagit Valley College is an innovative community college committed to offering inclusive access to educational opportunities, supporting student achievement, and engaging our community. SVC is nationally known for learning communities and support for high impact teaching practices that improve the lives of our students. We are committed to creating student learning experiences that foster equity and diversity to strengthen our local and global communities. We practice a high degree of collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators to lead initiatives that advance student success and strengthen our increasingly diverse district. We value student and colleague engagement in creating an equitable, diverse, innovative, learning-centered environment.

Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Student Intake, Advising, and Support

• In collaboration with faculty and other staff, coordinate, facilitate, and evaluate entry and orientation activities for Open Doors students, including (but not limited to): program overview and expectations, program eligibility, testing and placement, educational planning, navigation of strengths and goal setting;
• Manage a student caseload of up to 75 students; report attendance, progress, enrollment, and completion to district partners;
• In English and Spanish, deploy developmentally responsive and culturally competent program intake processes and continuing communication to foster smooth, strengths-based transitions towards high school completion and transition to college certificate or degree programs;
• Evaluate high school and college transcripts to determine remaining high school credits/competencies needed for high school completion. Define and establish a written educational plan and academic success plan for students;
• Assist and guide students, in English and Spanish, with their career and academic plans, including a timely and accurate review and interpretation of academic skills and assessment results to determine appropriate placement in courses. Provide guidance and information related to high school completion options, college degrees, certificates, and courses, policies and procedures, and resources;
• Using a coaching approach, build a positive mentoring relationship with students, in English and Spanish, and work with them in resolving issues that impede their academic success;
• Develop, implement, and coordinate intervention strategies related to the Colleges Academic Progress Policy by assisting them to make effective decisions toward their career and academic goals;
• Work closely with the Early Alert strategies to support program participants. Work with students and assist them with problem-solving, educational, and day-to-day issues closely, and make referrals to other agencies for information, emergency funds, and community and campus resources as needed;
• Support students with the development of individual funding plans for students ready to transition to college and assist students in applying for Federal Financial Aid, scholarships, and other college funds;
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Management, Documentation, and Compliance

• Engage in regular follow-up, contact, and tracking of students, data gathering and analysis, and reporting;
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation and outcomes records on students using the requisite database programs;
• Track student progress in SVC Customer Relationship Management Databases (CRM) and information systems, Target X, and ctcLink in compliance with college and state procedures;
• Support reporting P223 in accordance with OSPI requirements, including the attendance, weekly check-in, and claiming IAPs;
• Collect and maintain documentation from students and faculty for audit compliance;
• Develop systems and implement procedures to meet students success and retention goals and program-specific performance objectives and to ensure compliance with grant and program requirements;
• Determine and document student eligibility.

Program Coordination and Partnerships

• Work with the program director to plan, organize, and implement program activities;
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to support and transition students from both school districts and community-based programs, including hosting information sessions as needed;
• Identify community programming needs; and provide resources to students;
• Attend community-based organization and school district meetings to stay abreast of resources and build and maintain partnerships;
• Maintain an understanding of HS21+, Open Doors, BEdA, WorkSource, Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NCTA), and school district eligibility and graduation requirements;
• Participate in the department meetings, training, and conferences necessary to meet the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and/or understanding of:

• Culture and issues faced by people in poverty;
• Issues related to adult high school student re-engagement;
• Washington State high school graduation requirements;
• College admission, counseling, registration, and financial aid policies and processes;
• Resources available to students from counseling, disability access services, the SVC Foundation, and financial aid;
• Promoting an equitable and ethical campus community in which all feel included and valued;
• Commitment to equity and inclusion;
• Community resources for food, housing, funding, and assessment;
• Educational programs including Basic Skills, developmental education, and professional/technical certificates and degrees;
• Education and career pathways;
• State and federal laws affecting Skagit Valley College;
• Software programs and CRM database applications, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) or similar, and WABERS.

Ability to:

• Interpret and maintain compliance with state and federal regulations;
• Present information to individuals and large groups orally and in writing;
• Maintain positive relationships with students, partner agencies, instructors, department staff, and employees in other units;
• Promote and model appropriate workplace behavior with culturally diverse populations;
• Promote an unbiased, open forum for the safe exchange of ideas and learning opportunities;
• Apply sound judgment to a variety of problems within the workplace;
• Work effectively in adiverse, dynamic, and fast-paced workplace;
• Communicate clearly and effectively in English.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent education or higher, in Social Work, Counseling, Education, or related field OR at least two (2) years of experience providing case management, Counseling, or related direct services to at-risk youth or young adults;
• Experience in inaccurately collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to support program goals and reporting requirements;
• Experience working with populations representing diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and abilities;
• Oral and written fluency in Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising students in educational programs;
• Coaching experience in intercollegiate athletics or other relevant coaching or athletics experience, if applicable;
• Proficiency in working with and understanding spreadsheets and databases;
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges facing the disengaged high school population;
• Established ability to develop positive relationships with a diverse student population;
• Proven track record in developing, deploying, and evaluating student success and persistence strategies.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC

Salary and Benefits:

• Annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% full-time position is $66,000;
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon as practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
• This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after July 8, 2026. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.

Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.

Priority Screening Date: July 8, 2026

Interviews with Committee: Week of July 27th

Finalist Interviews: Week of August 3rd

Anticipated Start Date: August 16th or September 1st

Application Procedure:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.edu that includes the following:
• The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
• A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
• A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Conditions of Employment:

• 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 applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, 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 employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date. Information on SVCs Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.

For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.

SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at:https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/

Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. All faculty and staff hired at Skagit Valley College are encouraged to embrace, continually support, and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community. Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination.

Why work at Skagit Valley College?

Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound in the northwest corner of Washington State, Skagit Valley College offers a unique and highly regarded transfer curriculum and professional-technical programs that respond to the workforce needs of the region. The College celebrates diversity in its staff and students, and adheres to a set of guiding principles: respect, integrity, open and honest communication, and collaboration.

Benefits

Skagit Valley College offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes high-value medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents with affordable monthly premiums. Basic life and long-term disability insurances are provided with the option to purchase additional coverage at a low employee cost. Flexible spending account and dependent care assistance programs are also available.

We help you prepare for life after your career by offering an excellent retirement plan, which includes employer contributions. In addition, employees have the option to participate in two tax-deferred retirement investment programs.

Personal and Professional Development

Staff development and personal growth are encouraged at Skagit Valley College. Training opportunities are offered to build employee competencies and develop leadership capacity. A professional development funds program and participation in the State Employee Tuition Waiver program provide further potential for personal and career growth.

A Full Work/Life Package

Pay, benefits, flexibility, and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and out of life.

01

Select from below the options that best describe your highest education attained.

• Not applicable.
• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Some college: one (1) to two (2) years of college.
• Some college: three (3) to four (4) years or more of college.
• Associates degree or equivalent.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent.
• Masters degree, or higher degree.

02

Specify the field of study of your highest education attained if applicable, or if further clarification is needed relating to your highest education attained, please describe in the text box below (if not applicable, type "n/a").

03

Select from below the options that best describe your experience providing case management, counseling, or related direct services to at-risk youth or young adults.

• None / not applicable - no relevant experience, or related experience.
• 1 month to 6 months of experience.
• 6 months to 11 months of experience.
• 12 months to 23 months of experience.
• 24 months to 35 months of experience.
• 36 months to 47 months of experience.
• 48 months to 59 months of experience.
• 60 months or more of experience.

04

In the text box below, describe how you meet this qualification: Experience providing case management, counseling, or related direct services to at-risk youth or young adults. Responses such as "see resume" or similar may be considered incomplete and result in disqualification.

05

In the text box below, describe how you meet this qualification: Experience in accurately collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to support program goals and reporting requirements. Responses such as "see resume" or similar may be considered incomplete and result in disqualification.

06

In the text box below, type or paste your response to the following question: Skagit Valley College is committed to promoting the success of diverse students and employees. Describe ways in which you have used your position and privilege to create opportunities for people of diverse social identities (race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability status, etc.) and/or engaged in conversations about diversity. Examples include creating programs, acting as a mentor, developing equity-based curriculum or training, changing institutional policies, engaging diverse communities, etc. Please limit your response to a maximum of two pages equivalent. You do not need to include your response as a separate attachment in addition to typing or pasting it here Responses such as "see resume" or similar may be considered incomplete and result in disqualification.

07

Are you fluent in both English and Spanish?

• Yes, I speak, read, and write fluently in both Spanish and English.
• No, I do not speak, read, and write fluently in both Spanish and English.

08

I acknowledge that SVC reserves the right to determine the work modality for each position. The individual selected for this role must reside in Washington State or have the ability to relocate.

• Yes, I reside in Washington State.
• No, I do not reside in Washington State but I have the ability to relocate.
• No, I do not reside in Washington State and do not have the ability to relocate.

09

I acknowledge that I have read the application procedure found in the job announcement. In order to be considered for this position, I understand that I must complete the online application, which includes the names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references, responses to the supplemental questions, and the following documents as attachments: a) A current resume; b) A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position.

• I understand the application requirements.

Required Question

Employer Skagit Valley College

Address 2405 E College Way

Mount Vernon, Washington, 98273

Website http://www.skagit.edu