The Opportunity: Under direct/general supervision of the WorkForce Grants Director, this position is responsible for planning and managing programs and support services to formerly incarcerated and justice-involved students transitioning into community education and career opportunities. This position will provide outreach to potential students, assistance with application and financial aid processes, and referral to and connection with community resources. The Re-entry Navigator will also provide collaborative advising to support student retention and successful degree completion. Applicants with experience with incarceration or knowledge of the prison system are encouraged to apply. Appointment of the successful candidate to this position will be made contingent upon a satisfactory outcome of a criminal history background check.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position working 40 hours weekly. This exempt position is designed to fulfill in part a contract awarded by the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to operate a correctional education program in accordance with an interagency agreement with the Department of Corrections (DOC). Skagit Valley College and its employees working in re-entry are expected to follow all DOC policies, technology, and other security requirements, follow DOC Operational Memorandums, and comply with the DOC directives.

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Perform regular outreach with regional and local community correction offices, community corrections officers, reentry centers, community reentry staff, and community agencies to increase access to educational opportunities available to justice-impacted individuals, including bi-monthly office hours at reentry centers;
• Engage in outreach with incarcerated students utilizing kiosks and coordinating with facility education navigators to support education reentry plans and support navigation of two- and four-year colleges, and apprenticeships;
• Utilize the Department-provided Monthly Education Assistance data report to identify individuals close to release or in partial con?nement and engage in outreach and provide education resources as needed;
• Participate in Board Navigator meetings, the Department Re-entry Navigators meetings, and other trainings/meetings as assigned to facilitate sharing information, resources, and best practices to enhance the effectiveness of the navigator program.

• Monitor and respond to referrals from facility education navigators, community corrections officers, reentry centers, and community reentry staff in a timely manner to facilitate a seamless transition for justice-impacted individuals;
• Provide comprehensive assistance to justice-impacted individuals, including support with enrollment, ?nancial aid, career planning, referrals to apprenticeship programs, and other support services within higher education systems, including two- and four-year colleges;
• Connect and co-enroll participants in other support services available at the college, including, when eligible, Basic Food Employment and Training, WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, and services provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;
• Collaborate with the Department re-entry staff to support justice-impacted individuals in housing and additional re-entry support;
• Facilitate peer-mentoring programs and student support groups made up of formerly incarcerated and justice-involved students and alumni.

• Track engagement, enrollment, progression, and completion outcomes for all program participants and report quarterly;
• Document case notes of navigation services provided to individuals under DOC supervision, including in-person and virtual encounters in OMNI, including Chronos and Scorecard regularly;
• Prepare material for the State Board Community and Technical Colleges reporting;
• Supervise and manage students, volunteers, and interns as applicable;
• Assume other duties as assigned to support and ensure the success of the program.

Knowledge and/or understanding of:

• An appropriate awareness of the history of underrepresented groups and promote an equitable work and learning environment;
• College admission, counseling, registration, and financial aid policies and processes;
• Resources available to students from counseling, disability support services, SVC Foundation, and financial aid; Community resources for food, housing, funding, and assessment;
• Educational programs including Basic Skills, developmental education, and professional/technical certificates and transfer degrees;
• Basic knowledge of funding plans for students and assist students in applying for Federal Financial Aid, scholarships, and other SVC funds;
• Transfer and career pathways;
• State and federal laws affecting Skagit Valley College;
• MS Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel;
• Software and database applications, including Customer Relationship Management systems and Student Management Systems.

Ability to:

• Interpret community college regulations and maintain compliance with the rules;
• Present information to individuals and large groups orally and in writing;
• Maintain positive relationships with students, partner agencies, instructors, department staff, and employees in other units;
• Promote and model appropriate workplace behavior with culturally diverse populations;
• Promote an unbiased, open forum for the safe exchange of ideas and learning opportunities;
• Apply sound judgment, common sense, and tenacity to a variety of workplace problem-solving;
• Work in a diverse, dynamic, and fast-paced workplace;
• Communicate clearly and effectively;
• Exercise accuracy and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent education in Social Work, Counseling, Education, or related field;
• Experience working with populations representing diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and abilities;
• Demonstrated commitment to promote equitable access and educational achievement of diverse students.

• Experience working with diverse populations of students, clients, and community and business partnerships in an educational setting;
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Education, Communications, Human Services, Social Sciences, Student Development, or related field;
• Experience advising in a higher education setting;
• Strong oral and written bilingual/multi-lingual communication skills in Spanish and English;
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database management.

Salary and Benefits:

• Annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% full-time position is $60,000 annually, depending on experience;
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon as practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
• This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

1. Meet the minimum qualifications and;
2. Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
   • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
   • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
   • A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

• Prior to employment, 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 applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  
  Additionally, 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 are 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 employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.