AFT Staff, Project Manager Cybersecurity Grants

Whatcom Community College; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 63,181 - 73,270; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Sick and vacation leave accrual

Tuition waiver for eligible courses

Job summary

Whatcom Community College seeks a Project Manager for Cybersecurity Grants to plan, manage and implement NSF/NSA‑funded initiatives. You will work with NCyTE and CCNC staff, center leadership, and grant Co‑PIs to advance CAE-related activities and educational resources.

The role requires coordinating with internal and external partners, travel for meetings, and delivering high‑quality project outcomes while supporting student success and workforce development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in project management, IT, cybersecurity, computer science, or related field.
• Three years of experience in project management, program coordination, or related work in an academic, nonprofit, government, or professional office setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop knowledge of grant and Center objectives and implement projects and activities.
• Manage project activities, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate and communicate with stakeholders, contractors, collaborators, participants, and partner organizations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned projects and provide timely information and follow‑up.
• Track project progress, maintain data and documentation, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Communicate project updates, progress, challenges, and recommendations to leadership.
• Plan, coordinate, facilitate, and travel to meetings and events in collaboration with Center staff.
• Collaborate with NCyTE and CCNC staff to support marketing, outreach, and dissemination of grant projects.
• Participate in staff meetings and project teams; assist with reporting materials.

Skills

Project management

Prioritization

Written & verbal communication

Presenting information

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

Independent & collaborative work

Records & reporting

Stakeholder relations

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in project management, IT, cybersecurity or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

Job description

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in‑person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu.

About Our Community

Whatcom's campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County.

To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://www.bellingham.org.

General Description Of Work

Position Title: Project Manager Cybersecurity Grants

Classification: AFT Staff

FTE: 1.0

Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required and will be scheduled in advance when possible. Regular scheduled travel, including overnight travel, is required to support grant and project activities.

FLSA Status: Overtime Eligible

Grant Funded: Yes

Job Summary

The Project Manager for Cybersecurity Grants supports cybersecurity grants awarded to Whatcom Community College, the National Cybersecurity Training & Education Center (NCyTE), and the CAE Candidates National Center (CCNC). Working closely with Center staff, the Director/Principal Investigator (PI), and grant Co-PIs, this position helps plan, manage, and implement grant‑funded projects and activities. Responsibilities include supporting initiatives related to Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE), educational resource development and dissemination, faculty and institutional development, student success, and industry engagement. WCC's cybersecurity grants are primarily funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Security Agency (NSA), with projects that support national cybersecurity education and workforce initiatives.

Reporting Structure

• This position reports to the Director CAE Candidates National Center/NSA Grants.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Develop knowledge of grant and Center objectives and implements projects and activities that support program goals and deliverables.
• Manage project activities, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and reporting requirements to ensure successful completion of grant‑funded initiatives.
• Coordinate and communicate with stakeholders, contractors, collaborators, participants, and partner organizations to support project implementation and collaboration.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned projects and provides timely information, support, and follow‑up to internal and external partners.
• Track project progress, maintain accurate data and documentation, and identify opportunities for process improvement to support effective project operations.
• Communicate project updates, progress, challenges, and recommendations to NCyTE and CCNC leadership in a clear, professional, and constructive manner.
• Plan, coordinate, facilitate, and travel to meetings, workshops, conferences, and other project‑related events in collaboration with Center staff and partners.
• Collaborate with NCyTE and CCNC staff to support marketing, outreach, communications, and dissemination activities related to grant projects and initiatives.
• Participate actively and constructively in Center staff meetings, project teams, and collaborative planning efforts.
• Prepare and provide timely information, documentation, and supporting materials for grant reporting and assists with report development and submission.
• Communicate professionally and proactively with internal and external stakeholders using email, phone, virtual platforms, and other communication tools.
• Support grant goals by contributing to high‑quality project outcomes, positive participant experiences, and strong stakeholder engagement and customer service.
• Perform other related work of a similar nature and level.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of project management principles and practices, including coordinating timelines, deliverables, budgets, and stakeholder communications.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing work while managing multiple projects, deadlines, and responsibilities simultaneously.
• Skill in written and verbal communication with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to present information clearly, logically, and professionally in meetings, trainings, presentations, and public settings.
• Skill in using Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to support project coordination and reporting activities.
• Skill in using virtual meeting and collaboration platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, reports, budgets, and project documentation with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with internal and external partners, participants, and stakeholders.
• The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the College's mission, vision, and promise.

Working Conditions / Environment

Work is performed primarily in a standard indoor office environment with frequent interruptions, shifting priorities, and multiple deadlines. The position requires extended periods of sitting and computer use, along with frequent phone, email, virtual, and in‑person interactions. Occasional movement throughout the office, campus, or event locations may be required to coordinate meetings, trainings, workshops, or project logistics. Regular travel, including overnight travel is required to support grant activities, conferences, meetings, and partner engagement. Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds is required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in project management, business administration, information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, management information systems or a related field.
• Three years of experience in project management, program coordination, or related work in an academic, nonprofit, government, or professional office setting.

Additional Qualifications (OR Equivalent)

Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties.

Required Qualifications (AND)

• Experience working collaboratively with remote teams, external partners, stakeholders, and participants across multiple organizations or locations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, timelines, and competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent credential.
• Experience in IT or cybersecurity project management.
• Experience working in or teaching within higher education.
• Experience working with federal grants, including reporting, compliance, or project administration.
• Experience supervising, coordinating, or overseeing the work of others.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Licensure, Certification & Other Necessary Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review.
• Regular travel to meetings, conferences and training sessions may be required.

Salary

This is a 12‑month, full‑time AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Staff represented, grant‑funded position. Annual salary is Range 3 (manager level) starting at step 1, $63,181.00 with periodic increments to step 7, $73,270.00. Renewal of position contingent upon the continuation of grant funding.

Benefit Package

• The position comes with a full benefit package, including health, dental, life, long‑term disability insurance and a retirement plan.
• Accrues 8 hours per month of sick leave and 16 hours per month vacation leave.
• Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers:
  • Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the PSLF program. If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
  • Full‑time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.

Start Date

• As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.

Application Due Date

• For guaranteed consideration, applications should be received by Monday, July 27th, 2026, at 5:00pm. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

• A completed application consists of an online application and:
• Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Current resume.
• Values statement that responds to the following prompt: Short Reflection (1 page max). One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.
• Official transcripts of any degrees listed as part of the minimum requirements will be required upon hire, but not as part of the application process.

Mission, Vision & Promise

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional‑technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

Promise: We transform lives through education. We accomplish this by supporting student growth, respecting student investment, embracing diversity, promoting excellence and creating opportunities.

EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non‑discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: [phone] or email: [e-mail] , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: [phone] or email: [e-mail] , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office by phone: [phone], email: [e-mail] , or Washington Relay: 711.