Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is seeking applicants for an Educational and Career Navigator position for the WWCC Correction Education program located at the Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) in Walla Walla, Washington.

This position is filled to fulfill a contract awarded to Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (WSBCTC) to operate a correctional education program at WSP in accordance with an interagency agreement with the Department of Corrections. Walla Walla Community College and its employees working in a correctional education program are expected to follow all Department of Corrections (DOC) Policies, IT and other Security requirements, follow DOC Operational Memorandums, and comply with the Superintendent’s directions.

At Walla Walla Community College, we inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services. We have identified three core themes that describe the fundamental aspects of the College's mission by translating it into practice: Student Success, Strong Communities, and Resource Stewardship. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.

General Description:

The Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) Educational and Career Navigator is responsible for supporting incarcerated students through advising and creating pathways for students in adult basic education, vocational, and academic programs. The Navigator also assists incarcerated individuals seeking employment/education services upon release into the community. The Navigator assists students in identifying a clear educational pathway and supports the student through completion of their education credential. Support services might include assisting students in continuing their education upon release from prison; accessing financial aid and scholarship funds; navigating Pell Grant funding and the Washington College Grant; assisting graduates in job searching and referrals related to their training and qualifications; connecting students with living-wage, high demand job opportunities for students by working directly with employers who are interested in hiring formerly justice-involved individuals.

Essential Functions:

• Meet with students to discuss and identify clear pathways to completion in and out of incarceration including completion of college application requirements and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
• Assist students with student loan repair process and selective service requirements.
• Promote and present information on student education programs and pathways through orientations and classroom visits inside the facility.
• Create and provide informational materials on college programs and reentry resources for students.
• Assist the Student Services Coordinator with onsite advising.
• Provide coordination for correspondence courses with classification counselors, education providers, and students; schedule the proctoring of exams.
• Serve as liaison with Department of Corrections (DOC), Walla Walla Community College, and community program personnel.
• Establish education, employment goals, and plans for students preparing for release.
• Network with other community college Navigators to remain current in opportunities
• Connect students with community resources.
• Attend DOC/Education quarterly Navigator meetings.
• Prepare and submit quarterly Navigator reports.
• Assist with student engagement activities and clubs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills that exhibit clear communication and listening, flexibility, emotional intelligence and seeking positive resolutions.
• Ability to build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect
• Prioritize actions that must occur and establish communication with affected parties.
• Results and outcomes focused with the ability to identify what needs to be done and proactively take appropriate action.
• Consistently demonstrate independence and self-motivated work ethic
• Act as a reliable information source, providing an effective communications link. Keep concerned parties informed of changes or new developments and ensure that they receive clear communication
• Ability to work in a team environment, effectively communicate, and support collaborative and supportive workgroups
• Engage, remain current, and foster practices that infuse equity, diversity, and inclusive practices that support student and workplace success.

Qualifications:

Equivalent education/experience may substitute at the discretion of the college.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or related field
• Two years or more of experience working in an educational and/or vocational workforce setting with an emphasis on student development and advising
• A combination of education and experience necessary to successfully fulfill competencies
• Experience working in a correctional environment desired
• Ability to use existing workplace technologies (Microsoft Office and DOC OMNI) and learn and remain current in evolving educational forms and software; for example, FAFSA and Accuplacer
• Bilingual desired (Spanish/English)

On October 31, 2022, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee rescinded the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for higher education institutions. However, COVID-19 vaccination remains a condition of employment at the Department of Correction (DOC). DOC employees and contractors are expected to show proof of vaccination upon entering the facility.

This position is located inside the Washington State Penitentiary, an adult male prison. Interacts daily with students (incarcerated individuals), instructors, counselors, DOC, and WWCC staff. Successful candidate must have the ability to travel between on-site testing sessions with or without accommodations, approx. 2-3 miles per day. Washington State Penitentiary is fully ADA compliant. The campus is tobacco free institution.

The work schedule for this overtime eligible professional position will typically be Monday through Friday 8-hours each day. Occasional nights and weekends. Occasional overnight travel.

Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful authorization to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment and official college transcripts. All Walla Walla Community College staff members employed at one of the Correction Education facilities must be cleared by an FBI background check before being hired into such positions and successfully complete a 3-week corrections training program. Information from the background check may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Compensation:

Annual salary range: $50,000 - $53,690. The college has an excellent benefit program including paid sick leave; paid vacation leave; medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; retirement and two optional deferred compensation programs. All full-time employees will automatically have 3% of taxable income deferred into the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). All administrative exempt staff set aside 1% of their gross salary in a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) (VEBA). All exempt employees are required to participate in this program. Walla Walla Community College requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary.

This position will remain open until filled. To be included in the initial screening, applications should be received by October 31, 2022. To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• Online NEOGOV application.
• Cover letter (In the cover letter, please describe how you meet the qualifications and competencies for the position).
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references
• Answers to one (1) supplemental question
• Unofficial transcripts for application purposes; official transcripts are required prior to an official start date.

WWCC also 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.

If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please call NEOGOV Applicant Support at 1-855-524-5627.

Walla Walla Community College is committed to provide equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all educational and employment applicants as well as for its students and employed staff, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/identity, marital status, age (over 40), the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or status as a Vietnam and/or disabled veteran, National Guard member or reservist in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Federal Rehabilitation of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable Federal and Washington State laws against discrimination. To qualify for veteran's preference, you must attach a copy of your DD214 or NGB 22. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need accommodation in the application/ employment process, please call (509) 527-4323 - TDD (509) 527-4412.