Student Success Navigator

Located just outside of Seattle, WA, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) was founded in 1949, and is the only public institute of technology in the state of Washington. LWTech offers 12 bachelor's degrees, 42 associate degrees, and 70 professional certificates in 41 areas of study, including STEM-focused programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

LWTech serves the Eastside and is located within the city of Kirkland, which is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. Kirkland is home to companies such as GoDaddy, Google, Astronics and EvergreenHealth, and the college is within minutes from Microsoft and Nintendo.

Learn more about LWTech's Mission, Vision, Values, and Core Themes

LWTech is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its staff and faculty. We serve a student population of 6,500 that come from a variety of backgrounds. We strongly value diversity and are working to improve access and successful educational outcomes for all students. We are actively seeking applicants that will help to balance our employee workforce to align with our students and community. Questions regarding the College's commitment to diversity and our campus culture may be directed to Human Resources. For more information on our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Council, please click on the link.     

Summary of Position:

LWTech's Student Development Services is searching for a highly competent, equity-minded, and collaborative individual to join our team as a Student Success Navigator. The Student Success Navigator (also referred to as an Academic Advisor) is responsible for advising services related to the School Engineering and Manufacturing. Student Success Navigator/Advisor caseloads may change in the future.  Student Success Navigators/Academic Advisors will also need to be able to advise for all programs of study at the college.

The School of Engineering and Manufacturing contains the following program areas:

• Auto Body Technician

• Auto Repair Technician

• Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician

• Bioengineering and Chemical Pre-Engineering, AS-T

• Computer and Electrical Pre-Engineering AS-T

• Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, Materials Science Pre-Engineering AS-T

• Machining Technology

• Mechanical Design Technology

• Sewing

• Welding Technology

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide direct, comprehensive academic advising to assigned caseload of students through in-person, virtual, and written formats. Advising is inclusive of, but not limited, to the following:

• Placement and transcript evaluation

• Degree plan creation

• Registration assistance

• Understanding & explaining degree and certificate requirements

• Timely & relevant referrals to internal and external resources

• College navigation assistance

• Regular communication & updates to students

• Transfer & career planning

• Serve as a student advocate to resolve matters of academic difficulty and college process navigation

• Support general advising drop-in hours by providing general academic advising assistance students in all LWTech programs.

• Monitor and respond to email inquiries sent to the Advising email inbox from prospective and current students.

• Utilize Hobson's Starfish software to review and respond to flags (early alert), monitor and manage student academic progress, write advising notes, make referrals, create degree plans.

• Collaborate through regular communication with faculty and deans about program changes, details, student progression, and issues.

• Develop and conduct workshops and activities, inclusive of selective admission group advising & information sessions

• Prepare reports for internal and external sources

• Respond to inquiries from prospective students, outside agencies, and others on program information

• Write and edit in-print and online information such as flyers and advising webpage.

• Perform a variety of activities associated with office operations that require initiative and independent judgment

• May supervise and train assigned student and classified support staff; back up other college staff as necessary

• Ensure areas of responsibility operate within the policies and procedures of the college and applicable governing agencies

• Represent the college at professional and community organizations; participate in professional conferences and in-services

• Assist supervisor to develop and maintain office procedures that relate to completion initiatives, training, cross-training, and professional development; develop and carry out comprehensive plans for office activity, growth, and general progress of the office towards established goals

• Utilize software regularly such as CTCLink, Microsoft Office programs, Starfish, and others.

• Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality

• Other related job duties as assigned

• Sufficient combination of education, work, and lived experience to demonstrate ability to meet the following expectations (generally, competitive candidates will have a bachelor's degree or higher and two or more years of advising or related experience in higher education):

• Evaluate and interpret transcripts

• Effectively work with individuals of varied ethnicity, ages, educational backgrounds, and abilities

• Apply student development theory through advising

• Use technology to improve services to students

• Superior ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently

• Confident and professional written and verbal communication abilities and experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Empathic listening, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution abilities

• Due to the diversity of the college population, we encourage applicants who are Multilingual

Preferred qualification:

• Experience working with students and faculty in workforce/trades program(s) and/or work experience at a community or technical college.

Compensation & Work Schedule

Salary placement is $5,666. This is a 40-hours per week, administrative  position. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and other insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under Public Employees Benefits Board, State Retirement Plan and a Deferred Compensation Plan; sick leave accrues at 1 day effective upon employment and vacation accrues at 25 days per year. We also offer 13 paid holidays and 4 paid personal days effective upon employment. Full time, exempt employees have access to bereavement leave, employee assistance program, free tuition, reduced childcare costs at our Early Learning Center, reduced Bus Fare, professional development opportunities and more! For further details on the benefits offered at LWTech, please visit: lwtech.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/

Required Online Application Materials

• Online application

• Current resume

• Cover letter

• Responses to the supplemental questions included in the online application process

To be considered for a position you MUST submit a complete online application form, resume, cover letter, responses to the supplemental questions included in the online application process.

Conditions of Employment

• Official transcripts/certifications will be required upon employment

• Other conditions that may apply will be detailed upon the offer of employment

• Job offers are contingent upon successful completion of background/reference checks

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform range of physical motions; lifting and carrying; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; and traversing up and down stairs.

Disability Accommodation

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

• Ability to operate office equipment

• Ability to read and verify data and prepare various materials

• Ability to exchange information on the phone or in person

Eligibility to Work

If you are hired, you will need proof of identity, and documentation of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work

EEO Statement

Lake Washington Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Lake Washington Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, disabled veteran status, marital status or Vietnam-era veteran status in is programs and activities. Questions regarding the College's Affirmative Action Policy may be directed to the Meena Park, Vice President of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Office/Title IX Coordinator, (425) 739-8212.

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, Lake Washington Institute of Technology(LWTech) 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. LWTech's Annual Safety Report (ASR) is available online at www.lwtech.edu/about/campus-safety/.

To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the LWTech Safety Department located in the East Building at 11605 132nd Avenue NE Kirkland, WA 98034.

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 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. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

CORRECTIONS OR EXTENDED NOTICES     

Added Salary increase starting January 1, 2024