Retention Specialist Center for Inclusion & Diversity (Program Specialist 2)

CCS Spokane • Spokane, WA

17h • $3,827 - $5,111 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Student Success, Equity and Diversity, the Retention Specialist develops and implements proactive, culturally responsive strategies that improve persistence, retention, and credential completion for Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) Scholars. Through targeted recruitment, relationship-based support, disaggregated student data, and coordinated campus and community partnerships, the position identifies barriers early, connects students with appropriate resources, and helps students progress from enrollment through completion. This position is critical to Spokane Community College’s implementation of RCW 28B.10.149 and its responsibility to eliminate structural barriers, promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and improve outcomes for students from historically marginalized communities.

Requirements

• Associate degree. Or an equivalent mix of education and experience that demonstrates the candidate meets all competency requirements for this position.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning and working environment that honors diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated commitment working with populations from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills in a positive and effective manner with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability of excellent verbal and written communications skills including presentations to large and small audiences.
• Experience using computers, spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.
• Ability to be supportive and sensitive in providing written or verbal information and services to students, in person or virtually.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and frequent interruptions, allowing for flexibility in prioritizing daily tasks with student needs.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete short- and long-term projects.
• Ability to adjust schedule, on occasion, to support program needs including early morning, evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work constructively with others as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and ethical work practices.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Experience planning, implementing, coordinating, and/or leading programs and services in an educational setting for systemically marginalized or at-risk populations.
• Knowledge or experience with SCC programs and student support services.
• Experience engaging in social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work.
• Proficiency in a second language, i.e., speaking, reading, and writing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement targeted outreach and recruitment strategies of prospective and current students to increase participation in Student Academic Success Program, CID services, and other applicable student-success programs among systemically marginalized and underserved students.
• Collaborate with SCC Student Services departments, faculty, and community partners to establish referral pathways for students who may benefit from additional support.
• Maintain an assigned cohort of students and provide structured, relationship-based support from onboarding through credential completion.
• Conduct proactive outreach at identified transition points, including the beginning of the quarter, prior to withdrawal deadlines, during registration, and as students approach completion.
• Work with students to develop individualized success plans that address academic progress, belonging, financial stability, basic needs, and completion goals.
• Occasionally travel with students to conferences and educational events that support student success, leadership development, and inclusive excellence initiatives.
• Supervise work-study students. Responsible for ensuring assigned work-study students adhere to acceptable behavior and performance standards. Explain to work-study students how their performance and behavior will be assessed and give timely and accurate feedback regarding performance. Ensure any observed performance and behavioral problems are corrected promptly.
• Use Faculty Alerts, student engagement information, academic progress, and other available data to identify barriers and initiate timely interventions.
• Review disaggregated persistence, retention, GPA, and completion outcomes to identify equity gaps and recommend changes to programs, outreach, and institutional practices.
• Document student contacts, referrals, interventions, and outcomes consistently within applicable college systems.
• Identify students who are approaching credential completion and coordinate targeted outreach related to academic planning, registration, graduation requirements, and unresolved barriers.
• Identify recurring institutional barriers affecting systemically marginalized students and elevate trends, recommendations, and potential solutions to department leadership.
• Participate in cross-campus efforts to improve the student journey and experience.
• Contribute data and program evidence needed for departmental assessment, Inclusive Excellence planning, and Washington State accountability requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support and advance Spokane Colleges’ strategic plan and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under Public Employees Benefits Board
• WA State Retirement Plan
• vacation and sick leave begin to accrue at the rate of 11.33 hours vacation and 8 hours sick leave per month, upon employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree