Position Summary

The Program Assistant works closely with other Workforce Education Services staff to provide student service support and educational navigation for students.  Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, guiding students through the application and interview process to apply for the program, serving as a primary program contact for a caseload of students, and orienting students to the program.  As changes occur with the grants that fund the department, so do the priorities, policies, and daily work of the department.  The Program Assistant must be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.  This position reports to the Dean of Transitional Studies.

BBCC is a small rural community college located in the sunny, central part of Washington State, and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.  Big Bend Community College serves over 4,000 students annually, with an annualized FTE of approximately 2,000, in a 4,600-square-mile service district including 15 communities in Grant and Adams counties and the Odessa School District in Lincoln County with on-site, online instruction, and interactive classrooms. 
 
Big Bend Community College strives for excellence in teaching and learning.  We are a student-centered and innovative college that is committed to fostering a community that supports and recognizes the value of diversity; 42% of our student-body is Hispanic.  Recognized as a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, Big Bend is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).  Our student body consists of 75% first-generation college students and 71% of our students receive some form of financial assistance.
 
Our college seeks candidates who have a deep commitment to and understanding of the rewards and challenges of working with students. We particularly welcome those who will be active participants in our small but thriving college community.
 
Big Bend Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy status or families with children, a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, genetic information, and/or status as a veteran in accordance with state and federal laws. 
 
Big Bend provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and the Federal Rehabilitation Act. Contact the Human Resources Office at 509-793-2008 or via email at hroffice@bigbend.edu.
 
This position closes at 12noon on February 25, 2019.  

 

Essential Job Duties

Primary essential duties and responsibilities include but will not be limited to the following:

1. Manage the flow of applications for Workforce Education Services.  Provide information for students and prospective students about the program, services, application process.
2. Manage a caseload of students including, reporting participation hours and progress notes in the DSHS e-JAS system, sending e-mails to students and calling students to check on progress, and occasionally verifying attendance with instructors.
3. Maintain student files with quarterly schedules, current transcripts, and updated programs plans.
4. Monitor and support students' progress toward certificates or degrees.
5. Provide intervention when students are struggling with academics and personal issues; provide referrals to tutoring services or community agencies.
6. Explain program criteria, purpose, and supports to perspective students.
7. Review Workforce Education Services applications for eligibility using e-JAS, Financial Aid Management, and the Student Management System.
8. Interview prospective students as part of the program application process.
9. Provide orientations to new students accepted into the program to explain program details and expectations.
10. Provide front office support to include filing, phones, and customer service.
11. Collaborate with Workforce Education Services staff to improve services to students and increase efficiencies for the department.

OTHER WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
• Ensure no injuries to self or others by following safe work practices and policies.  This includes, but is not limited to:  security and safety, understanding of SDS, equipment, infection control, fire, disaster, safe lifting and body mechanics.
• Ensure compliance with college policies and procedures and state and federal regulations. 
• Conduct self in a professional manner and ensures the interaction with team members and other support groups is conducted in a courteous and efficient manner conducive to the college's values.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as may be required. 
   

DUTIES OF THE POSITION REQUIRE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN:

• Experience providing services to and working with the public.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience organizing tasks and responsibilities with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• The ability to effectively communicate with students, staff, visitors, and community partners both verbally and in writing.  Experience with proofreading is preferred.
• Case management experience is preferred.
• Demonstrate competency in the ability to provide service in a multicultural environment.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality. 

REQUIRED WORK SCHEDULE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is sedentary in nature with frequent repetitive hand and wrist motions.  Frequent use of computer and exposure to terminal screens in performing work assignments. Frequent need for oral and auditory communications.  Occasionally kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, reach, and lift up to 25 lbs. in an office environment. 

Basic work schedule is 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Thursday and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Friday.  Hours may be adjusted to meet the needs of the department. 

 

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Associate's degree from an accredited institution of higher education OR High School Diploma or equivalent and two years of relevant work experience with case management or financial aid.
2. Experience working closely with customers, clients or students to provide services.
3. Previous experience working with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.

 
ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience with and/or knowledge of Workforce Education Services programs.
2. Experience serving students in an educational environment.
3. Bilingual fluency, especially in Spanish or Russian/Ukrainian.

Application Instructions

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

1. BBCC Online application.
2. Cover letter, addressing why you are interested in this position and how your qualifications make you the ideal candidate.*
3. Comprehensive resume or CV.*
4. Response(s) to the questions found in the Supplemental Questions Tab above.*  
5. Unofficial transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate course work and degrees.  Official transcripts required upon employment.*

NOTE:  All of the above items are required to ensure your consideration for this position. The items marked with an asterisk are required to included/uploaded with your online application prior to submission.  
 
BBCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment.  Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.
 
Persons hired will need to provide documentation verifying identity and employment authorization to work in the United States. 
 
Official transcripts will need to be provided to the college within the first thirty (30) days of employment.
 
In compliance with state and federal regulations, BBCC is committed to a safe and drug-free campus.  Employees are expected to comply with BBCC's policy prohibiting illegal drug use or activity, including notifications of criminal drug convictions and the use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that are likely to affect job safety.  The complete policy and procedure are available to view on the policies page of the BBCC website.  Printed copies of the policy and procedure are available by contacting the Human Resources Office at 509-793-2008.
 
BBCC strives to be a safe and secure campus for our students, employees, and community.  Detailed information regarding campus security, crime statistics for the most recent-three year period, and other information is available on the Campus Safety and Security page of the BBCC website.  If you have questions or would like a printed copy of the materials please contact Campus Safety and Security at 509-793-2286.
 
This posting does not reflect the entire job description and may be changed and/or modified, at any time, without notice.  

If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 1-855-524-5627.
 

Agency Big Bend Community College Address 7662 Chanute Street, NE

Moses Lake, Washington, 98837 Phone 509-793-2008
509-793-2009 Website http://www.bigbend.edu