ESL Pathways Navigator

Priority Consideration Date: June 15, 2025

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Advising Functions

• Support effective and inclusive onboarding of English Language Arts (ELA) students by actively contributing to the BEdA orientation team, focusing on creating a welcoming environment for student learning.
• Collaborate with department, staff, and faculty to place students into appropriate levels of study to monitor student progress and participation.
• Advise prospective participants in person, over video chat, and through digital communication regarding program specific processes and potential academic and vocational options.
• Participate in program recruitment both internally and externally.
• Provide consistent, ongoing advising and support to students utilizing various moves of communication.
• Assist students with developing secondary and post-secondary educational plans.
• Work collaboratively to design and deliver group advising sessions and workshops including quarterly Educational Planning Day sessions.
• Utilize student engagement programs such as Civitas Inspire and early alerts to provide timely supports.

Navigating Functions

• Promote student access, retention, and diversity by fostering a sense of community and belonging for ELA participants and acting as a liaison to student support services.
• Initiate appropriate interventions for students who are experiencing academic or non-academic difficulties.
• Connect students with appropriate academic and funding resources when transitioning to college or career.
• Develop and build relationships with students, college staff, and community partners that foster self-efficacy to increase persistence and success for underrepresented populations.
• Communicate individual student requirements to faculty and maintain and submit accurate records for state reporting.
• Coordinate class scheduling for students taking an ABE subject and a college-level subject.
• Demystify college processes including assessment scores, placement, basic financial aid processes, and other funding options.
• Assist students in building digital literacy by navigating educational software including Canvas, CTCLink, and student email systems.

Programmatic Functions

• Develop and maintain student records and reports as required by the college and other agencies, including tracking of I-BEST and career pathway program outcomes such as program completions, persistence data, GPA, employment and transition to further training/academic programs.
• Work with the director and data consultant to prepare and report student records and program data via college and agency reporting systems.
• . Monitor and document student participation, progress, and outcomes for the purposes of Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) program reporting.
• Participate in committees, taskforces, and events which build and promote the targeted initiatives and goals of the college.
• Create culturally-appropriate correspondence and develop marketing and other materials such as brochures, fliers, presentations, orientation packets, frequently asked questions, and portal or website information about the programs.
• Communicate with the public, outside agencies, and other administrative liaisons as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Duties of the position require knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders: students, staff, faculty, community partners, and the general public.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work in complex systems.
• Commitment to serving the needs of historically underrepresented populations, including but not limited to low income populations, immigrants and refugees, and those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and other barriers to education and employment.
• Excellent customer service skills both in person and remotely including establishing, building and maintaining internal and external relationships that promote student success.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability and willingness to serve diverse populations.
• The ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• The ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
• An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, staff and community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to professional growth.

TCC strongly encourages individuals who have followed a non-traditional educational path to apply.

• Associate's degree from an accredited college.
• Experience in advising and guiding students through their educational pathways.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, email, and remote communication tools.

• Experience working with historically underrepresented and non-dominant adult populations.
• Previous experience working in a Basic Skills Program.
• Bilingual

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.
• Reliable transportation to travel to college and community events.

Application Materials
Complete application packages must include the following:

• Tacoma Community College online application.
• Cover letter and Resume.
• Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended (official transcripts will be required for the successful candidate).