Reentry Navigator

At a Glance! : The Reentry Navigator will work to engage students at Lower Columbia College to provide outreach, support, and resources for justice impacted students. This includes providing recruitment, intake, assessment, referrals and support in accessing educational, employment readiness, financial and skill-building activities. In this role, the Reentry Navigator provides community-based education to recruit, enroll, and retain justice-impacted students into postsecondary, vocational, pre-college, and/or apprenticeship programs in regional service areas, including two- and four-year colleges. While a Lower Columbia College employee, the Reentry Navigator covers Cowlitz, Clark, and Skamania counties. The position will support those individuals who are interested in enrolling in education after incarceration by providing warm handoffs to colleges in these counties. 

The Reentry Navigator will support justice-impacted students with career and educational planning and referrals to support services and community resources related to housing, food, childcare, transportation, counseling, healthcare and other needs. Additionally, the Reentry Navigator will work with students to make referrals to on-campus support services, such as career services, financial aid, emergency assistance programs, and student success programs available through LCC such as workforce grants and TRiO. Under the general direction of the Director of Workforce & Career Services, the Workforce Navigator will also work to enhance collaborations with community partners to increase resources for justice impacted students.

The Reentry Navigator position is 40 hours per week. The typical schedule is 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This position reports to the Director of Workforce & Career Services.

Telework: The college acknowledges that staff and faculty funded under this grant are not eligible for full-time or part-time telework in accordance with the Interagency Agreement

We typically hire closer to the lower to middle range of the salary. Offers are made based on applicant’s qualifications relative to the job, internal pay equity, and any other relevant factors.

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Examples of Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform regular outreach with regional and local community correction offices, community corrections officers,reentry centers, and community reentry staff to increase access to educational opportunities available to justice-impacted individuals, including bi-monthly office hours at reentry centers.
• Provide follow up and ongoing support to help students resolve financial, personal, and other barriers by connecting students to campus and community resources 
• Monitor and respond to referrals from facility education navigators, community corrections officers, reentry centers, and community reentry staff, in a timely manner, to facilitate a seamless transition for justice-impacted individuals.
• In collaboration with Workforce & Career Services staff, design and implement targeted outreach and recruitment activities for potential and current justice impacted students
• Engage in outreach with incarcerated students utilizing kiosks and coordinating with facility education navigators to support education reentry plans and support navigation of two- and four-year colleges, and apprenticeships.
• Implement an intake process for justice-impacted students that includes appropriate assessment and overview of educational, employment readiness, financial, or other skill-building needs
• Collaborate with the Department of Corrections reentry staff to support justice-impacted individuals in housing and additional reentry supports.
• Utilize the DOC provided Monthly Education Assistance data report to identify individuals close to release or in partial confinement and engage in outreach and provide education resources as needed.
• Provide educational and career advising for justice impacted students and others planning to enroll in LCC’s professional technical, basic skills, transfer, and workforce programs
• As part of educational planning, provide guidance to students in assessing career interest and skill assessments and how their chosen program of study fits within a career pathway
• Manage retention efforts for assigned students with barriers to success by providing early and targeted interventions. Respond to early academic and non-academic alerts and coordinate with faculty and staff to connect students to appropriate resources 
• Work with students to identify personal, financial, educational, and career related goals and assist students in developing individualized career-education and employment plans
• Participate in college wide efforts to support student access, persistence, and completion as part of Guided Pathways, Adult Reengagement, and other initiatives
• Collaborate with other Workforce staff to ensure successful co-enrollment and transitions with other Workforce programs including BFET, Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, and Passport to College
• Under direction of Director of Workforce & Career Services, coordinate with community agencies to increase student access to resources and support services related to career development, education, and basic needs. Serve as liaison between community agencies and students and make appropriate referrals
• Lead efforts to develop resource referral processes, documents, and marketing materials for justice-impacted individuals
• Track engagement, enrollment, progression, and completion outcomes for all program participants and report monthly.
• Document case notes of navigation services provided to individuals under DOC supervision, including in-person and virtual encounters in OMNI, including Chronos and Scorecard regularly.
• Participate in Board Navigator meetings, the Department Reentry Navigators meetings, and other trainings/meetings as assigned to facilitate sharing information, resources, and best practices to enhance the effectiveness of the navigator program.
• Maintain student confidentiality and comply with FERPA regulations
• Maintain accurate and confidential records
• Other duties as assigned. 

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Counseling, Human Development, Education, Social Work or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Experience in higher education settings, particularly in student recruitment, admissions, workforce education, or advising.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to maintain sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience supporting diverse and under-resourced populations, with strong active listening and empathy.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and skilled at managing multiple priorities in a high-volume work environment.
• Proven ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationships with students, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to assess needs and connect individuals to appropriate resources.
• Ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.
• Experience working with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) or similar programs. 
• Valid Driver's License and ability to travel within the service region (Skamania, Clark, and Cowlitz Counties) as required. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in reentry, community corrections, or related social services roles.
• Familiarity with community resource navigation related to housing, food security, healthcare, childcare, or employment.

Pre-Employment Requirements: As this position would also do contracted work for the Department of Corrections (DOC), the DOC will conduct a background check to ensure the incumbent is eligible to work in their facilities and work with incarcerated individuals

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.

Supplemental Information

How to apply:

An online application must be completed for consideration. Click “Apply” at the top of the page to get started. Paper submissions or emailed materials will not be accepted. A complete application must also include the following documents (attached or in the online application itself):

• Letter of Interest (cover letter) - describing your interest in Lower Columbia College and this position, how your experience, knowledge/skills, education, abilities etc. meet the qualifications for this position
• Resume
• References - please provide at least three professional references including one current or former supervisor 
• Unofficial transcripts

Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement

To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources

For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at (360) 442-2120, or email us directly at hr@lowercolumbia.edu.  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Kendra Sprague, Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, title9@lowercolumbia.edu, Phone number, (360) 442-2120, Phone number/TTY (800) 833-6388.

• Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.
• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.
• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.  
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LCC celebrates and embraces diversity of all kinds, including differing beliefs, cultures, people, and experiences. We commit to institutional and individual changes that recognize, understand, and challenge patterns of social inequity and systemic disparities within our ever-changing world. For more information, see Diversity & Equity.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

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 professional association or is 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 employers or professional association. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment 

• If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.
• Prior to a new hire, 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 applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.
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Anticipated Start Date

LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.