Student Success Spec - Advising

Opportunity Description

North Seattle College is looking to hire a Student Success Specialist / Academic Advisor for our Student Services division.

Full salary range for this position is $58,632 - $80,968 (DOE)

Application and required materials must be submitted no later than the first review date. Opportunity is open until filled; first review of materials will begin August 5, 2026.

Overview

Under the direction of the Dean of Advising and Student Success, the Student Success Specialist / Academic Advisor position is a full-time, exempt position that will be responsible for promoting student enrollment, persistence, retention, and completion through comprehensive academic advising and student support services. Advisors provide holistic guidance to new and continuing students while serving as subject matter experts in one or more Areas of Study or specialized student populations.

Student Success Specialists develop and deliver programs that support student success, educational planning, transfer, and completion while fostering an inclusive and equity-minded environment for North Seattle College¿s diverse student population. The position also participates in virtual and in-person drop-ins and serves as the primary point of contact for evening advising services as needed.

This is a twelve-month (1.0 FTE) position typically scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm at the North Seattle College campus. The schedule may vary depending on department needs. On occasion this position may be required to work evenings and weekends to support student and departmental needs.

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with representation by American Federation of Teachers Pro-Staff (AFT-SPS) and subject to union shop provisions.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges - North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College - and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates
• Promotional Opportunities
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

• Attach current Resume
• Attach cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants:

Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Seattle Colleges is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

What you will be working on:

• Provide comprehensive advising to new and continuing students regarding admissions requirements, assessment and placement options, degree and certificate requirements, transfer pathways, professional/technical programs, and college policies and procedures.
• Participate and may serve as the primary point of contact for evening advising services drop-ins (typically until 6:00-7:00PM once per week).
• Lead the development, coordination, implementation, presentation, tracking, and assessment of advising initiatives and programming that support students within assigned Areas of Study or specialized populations, including transfer, completion coaching, educational planning, and new student orientation.
• Support departmental and division-wide efforts to continuously improve student intake, onboarding, retention, persistence, and completion.
• Assist enrolled students in understanding program prerequisites, transfer requirements, and career pathways.
• Guide students in developing individualized educational, career, and life goals through comprehensive academic planning and course selection.
• Monitor student progress toward degree or certificate completion and make appropriate referrals to academic, personal, and campus support services.
• Conduct proactive outreach to students who have disenrolled or are at risk of stopping out and facilitate their successful re-entry.
• Incorporate equity-minded, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practices into daily advising and student interactions.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes belonging and success for students from historically marginalized and underserved communities.
• Maintain current knowledge of articulation agreements and transfer partnerships between North Seattle College and four-year institutions.
• Assist students in navigating college processes, including transfer credit evaluation, graduation applications, and other enrollment-related procedures.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, program coordinators, and campus partners to support student success initiatives.
• Keep advising colleagues informed of changes within assigned Areas of Study and other areas of responsibility to ensure consistent and accurate advising practices.
• Document student interactions and maintain accurate records in college systems.
• Develop, update, and maintain advising materials, resources, and communications.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to strengthen communication between advising and instructional departments, including program mapping and Student Retention/Success initiatives.
• Participate in departmental planning, assessment, and strategic priorities as a member of the Advising and Student Success team and serve on Student Services and college-wide committees as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of student success and institutional priorities.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Bachelor¿s degree in education, student development, psychology, human relations, or related field.

• Two years¿ experience in an educational setting supporting students¿ progresstoward their educational goals.

• Experience with advising, counseling, mentoring, coaching, or providing navigation services for students in pursuit of post-secondary educational goals.

• Proven track record of advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), such as organizing EDI activities, advocating for policy changes, community engagement, or self-advocacy.

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines while being attentive to detail.

• Demonstrated experience with communicating and working respectfully and effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds, such as racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic, and with diverse physical and learning disabilities.

• Strong understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.

• Highly motivated, self-starter, flexible; ability to work in a dynamic environment.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Familiarity and proficiency with various technologies, including but not limited to student database systems and student success technologies.

• Knowledge of articulation and transfer between community colleges and four-year transfer institutions.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

OFFICE SETTING:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:

• Ability to operate office equipment, including a computer and telephone as needed to perform duties, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, hair texture or protective hairstyles, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of bullying behaviors, including cyber bullying."

Students, employees, and applicants at Seattle Colleges can reach the Title IX Coordinator or ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for questions about discrimination, harassment or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement

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 applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.