The Program Assistant for the Advising Center is the primary point of contact for current students seeking general academic advising. The Program Assistant greets students in the Advising Center reception area and helps guide them to the appropriate service to meet their needs and/or connect with an Academic Pathway Advisor or Peer Navigator. The Program Assistant assists students by monitoring virtual lobbies, answering the phone, responding to emails, voice mails and text message campaigns. The Advising Center supports students in course selection, enrollment, and determining degree and/or transfer requirements.  The Advising Center is part of the Advising and Enrollment Unit of the Student Services Division. The person in this position is expected to be knowledgeable of college programs, services, policies and processes, as well as provide support to other departments as needed in order to facilitate student retention.

This position is a classified full-time position, which is eligible for overtime. Schedule: Mon -Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 
Salary Information: 

The above salary range reflects the starting step of Range 35 (Step C) for this classified position and includes a 5% King County compensation provision.  As a new employed classified employee, based on annual increments, it will take 5 years to reach Step L on the salary schedule. This does not reflect any contractual changes, legislative mandated salary increases or Cost of Living Increases (COLA's) that may be approved in the future.

Please be advised beginning October 18, 2021 of the Washington State employees requirement to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Additional details located in the Supplemental Information section.    

Essential Tasks

Reporting to the Director of the Advising Center, this position will: 

• Staff the front desk of the Advising Center, greeting each visitor and guiding students to the appropriate service, an Academic Pathway Advisor, or Peer Navigator;
• Help triage students immediate needs;
• Track services and maintain reports on number of students served by each advisor;
• Maintain advising webpages with current information;
• Answer the phone and return phone calls;
• Monitor the advising email and reply to inquiries;
• Check students in for drop-ins, notifying advisors when a student is waiting to see an advisor (both virtually and on campus in person);
• May schedule appointments with advisors;
• Draft correspondence to students regarding upcoming advising events or milestones;
• Initiate supply purchases, room reservations or travel requests;
• Maintain a welcoming, inviting, well-organized office space;
• Assist students with ctcLink processes, or navigating the Highline website for information;
• Confer with staff regarding interpretation of policy or college procedures;
• Send follow-up customer service surveys and compile survey results for the director and dean;
• Update student records with advising notes, service indicators, milestones or to do lists;
• Make referrals to Student Service departments with clear next steps, and proactively connect students with Student Services staff;
• Participate in meetings, professional development, and committees as part of the Highline community.

Ability to:

• Represent the college positively with professionalism;
• Navigate an electronic environment utilizing ctcLink, Aviso, Google Suite, MS Office and WordPress;
• Communicate clearly, and succinctly in writing and verbally;
• Coordinate multiple priorities and interfaces with students (phone, email, virtual lobby and front desk);
• Maintain a welcoming, positive environment, ensuring each visitor is acknowledged and welcomed;
• Thrive in a multi-cultural, fast-paced environment;
• Establish relationships with colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment;
• Work virtually/remotely and in person on campus.

Knowledge, Skills:

• Knowledge of college programs, services and processes;
• Cross-cultural communication skills;
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school Diploma or GED equivalent; AND
• Two years of full-time clerical experience;

      OR

• Equivalent education/experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Associate degree;
• Experience in a community college;
• Front desk experience.