Retention Counselor | Student Services | WSU Tri Cities (Richland, WA)

Washington State University • Richland, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Retention Counselor at Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities leads cohort-based, peer mentoring initiatives designed to strengthen student persistence and degree completion. As part of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, you will support a wide variety of student populations by building structured pathways for connection, academic progress, and campus engagement. Reporting to the Director of Student Services, you will work closely with faculty, staff, and community partners to ensure students have coordinated, accessible support. You will manage peer mentors and daily program operations, including budgeting, assessment, and resource stewardship. The Retention Counselor provides direct guidance to students through individual and small-group engagement, develops and delivers workshops and trainings aligned with student needs, and partners across campus to expand support networks. You will also track participation and outcomes, support student-led initiatives, assist with recruitment and outreach, and contribute to campus committees and student employee development – all with a focus on improving retention and advancing student success. WSU Tri-Cities is committed to creating a student-ready campus, marked by academic excellence, career-connected learning, and social belonging. This commitment is informed by our belief that all students, faculty, and staff contribute value to our campus culture. We ascribe to an assets-based framework for understanding and celebrating differences to provide access and opportunity for all. Nearly half of our students are first in their family to attend college, most come from a rural area, and almost half identify as students of color. We believe the wide range of experiences our students possess strengthen the classroom and many co-curricular activities in which WSU Tri- Cities students participate and lead.

Requirements

• Positions require a Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of professional work experience in student services or related education/experience.
• A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis.
• Experience leading or directing the work of others.
• The ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to exercise professional judgment and leadership, including the ability to problem solve and work independently.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working with college students.
• Experience developing and delivering programming for students

Responsibilities

• Lead cohort-based, peer mentoring initiatives
• Support student populations by building structured pathways for connection, academic progress, and campus engagement
• Work closely with faculty, staff, and community partners to ensure students have coordinated, accessible support
• Manage peer mentors and daily program operations, including budgeting, assessment, and resource stewardship
• Provide direct guidance to students through individual and small-group engagement
• Develop and deliver workshops and trainings aligned with student needs
• Partner across campus to expand support networks
• Track participation and outcomes
• Support student-led initiatives
• Assist with recruitment and outreach
• Contribute to campus committees and student employee development

Benefits

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level