Assistant Director for Advising, Retention & Completion

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 74,473 - 82,321; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Retirement plans

Paid leave

Job summary

Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA invites applications for the Assistant Director for Advising, Retention & Completion. The role strengthens college-wide advising and Guided Pathways initiatives, supervises staff, and partners with campus leaders to improve student success.

The position reports to the Director and requires a bachelor’s degree and 3 years advising experience; CBC emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion and offers competitive benefits and a standard schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in advising, counseling, education, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in advising.

Responsibilities

• Serve as acting department leader in the Director’s absence and oversee operations.
• Collaborate on strategic planning, Guided Pathways, and student success initiatives.
• Supervise staff, manage front desk operations, and coordinate advising onboarding.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and professional development for advising staff.
• Monitor department budget and resources; assist in financial processes.
• Use advising data to track progress, identify at-risk students, and improve outcomes.
• Work with Enrollment Services and other departments to ensure seamless student pathways.
• Participate in college-wide committees and advising-focused initiatives.
• Provide advising services as needed, including outreach to undecided students.
• Commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion in advising practices.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Diversity & inclusion

Advising experience

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in advising, counseling, education, or related field

Job description

Description

Join the CBC team and help us transform students’ lives!

CBC is committed to our vision to be the educational home that transforms students' lives through economic and social mobility. We are one of eight Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Washington state with Hispanic students representing just under half of our student population. As such, CBC is committed to discovering and enacting innovative ways to intentionally serve Hispanic students while serving all. We center equity in all that we do and seek to attract and retain engaged individuals committed to helping all students be successful in accomplishing their goals.

El CBC está comprometido con nuestra visión de ser el hogar educativo que transforma las vidas de los estudiantes a través de la movilización económica y social. Somos una de ocho instituciones de servicio de los hispanos en el estado de Washington y los estudiantes hispanos representan un poco menos de la mitad de nuestra población estudiantil. Como tal, CBC se compromete a descubrir y crear formas innovadoras para servir intencionalmente a los estudiantes hispanos, mientras que al mismo tiempo sirve a todos los demás. Nos enfocamos en la equidad en todo lo que hacemos y buscamos atraer y retener individuos que se comprometan en ayudar a todos los estudiantes a tener éxito en el logro de sus metas.

CBC places a high value on the ability to communicate effectively across cultures, to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies, and model intercultural empathy. Experience in serving Hispanic students is not merely a preference — it is valued at Columbia Basin College. Advanced intercultural knowledge and skills among our faculty is essential to the success of our students and our institution as a whole.

El CBC le da un enorme valor a la habilidad de comunicarse efectivamente a través de culturas, para implementar estrategias de enseñanza culturalmente responsivas, y modelar empatía intercultural. La experiencia en servir a los estudiantes hispanos no es simplemente una preferencia, sino que es algo que se valora en el Columbia Basin College. El conocimiento y las aptitudes interculturales avanzadas entre nuestros profesores son esenciales para el éxito de nuestros estudiantes y de nuestra institución en su totalidad.

Find out more about our diverse and vibrant community!

Visit Tri-Cities

Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Benton-Franklin Trends

Here’s how you will support our mission

The Assistant Director for Advising, Retention & Completion plays a key role in strengthening college wide advising, retention, and student success efforts at Columbia Basin College. This position provides both operational leadership and strategic support for the College’s comprehensive advising and Guided Pathways initiatives. Working closely with the Director for Advising, Retention & Completion, the Assistant Director helps manage advising programs, contributes to institutional student success strategies, and serves as acting leader for the department in the Director’s absence. The ideal candidate brings a student-centered approach, strong leadership skills, data informed decision making, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This position reports directly to the Director for Advising, Retention & Completion.

The salary range for this position is $74,473- $82,321.

This position is open until filled .

The College will conduct initial interviews with selected candidates via Zoom and will conduct on-campus interviews with finalists.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as acting department leader in the Director’s absence, including making operational decisions, representing the department in cross-campus meetings and initiatives, and maintaining oversight of departmental operations and resources;
• Collaborate with the Director and campus leadership on strategic planning, Guided Pathways initiatives, and institutional student success efforts;
• Oversee daily advising operations, including supervision of assigned staff, management of front desk services, coordination of new student advising and onboarding processes, and leading or supporting delivery of advising-sponsored events and programs;
• Provide supervision, coaching, evaluation, and professional development support for assigned advising and front desk personnel;
• Assist in departmental budget monitoring, fiscal processes, and resource management; maintain oversight in the Director’s absence;
• Utilize advising technologies and data to track student progress, identify at-risk students, implement intervention strategies, and to support continuous improvement of advising practices, program outcomes, and equity-informed student success efforts;
• Collaborate with Enrollment Services, Instruction, and other departments to ensure seamless student pathways, transitions, and retention efforts;
• Lead or participate in college wide committees, task forces, and Guided Pathways workgroups to represent advising and student success priorities;
• Provide advising services as needed, including outreach and guidance to undecided students;
• Actively engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and apply equity-minded advising practices to support historically underserved student populations; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited college or university in advising, counseling, education, or related field; and
• Three (3) years of experience in advising.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising in a community college setting;
• Experience in staff supervision, advisor training and development programs; and
• Experience with program assessment.

Competencies

Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion : Reflecting CBC’s mission, vision and values, support initiatives that expand the human qualities that differentiate our workplace and educational setting. Demonstrate and advocate an understanding of differences, open mindedness, compassion, sensitivity and interest in differing viewpoints given the diverse population and show a deep commitment to the involvement of colleagues, students and community members to student experience and success honoring freedom of expression as fundamental to personal, professional and organizational growth;

CBC Shared Commitments : Demonstrates a willingness to work with and support others in completing assignments, accepts constructive feedback, and cooperates with coworkers and supervisors. Shows alignment with CBC Shared Commitments by treating others with respect, communicating and collaborating effectively, pursuing growth and learning, valuing and celebrating contributions, prioritizing wellness, and holding self and others accountable;

Decision Making : Strong analytical skills and sound judgment to assess complex situations, weigh alternatives, and make strategic decisions that align with the college's mission, values, and priorities while considering diverse perspectives and potential impacts;

Networking : Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with colleagues, industry professionals, community stakeholders, businesses, and organizations to enhance partnerships and support the college's mission and initiatives;

Oral & Written Communication : Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; review and edit written work constructively; ability to tailor to audience in mind;

Organizational Skills : Strong organizational abilities to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting;

Student Centered : Attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students; create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals; provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department; and

Technology Proficiency : Proficient in utilizing various technologies, including office productivity software, learning management systems, and other educational technologies relevant to the position.

Terms of Employment

Columbia Basin College is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas (e.g., H-1B) at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.

This is a full-time, overtime eligible, administrative staff position. The typical work hours for this position are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, work hours may vary due to work demands and some evening and weekend work may be required.

CBC offers excellent medical/dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid leave, retirement plans, and a variety of benefit options. Please view the "Benefits" tab for comprehensive benefits information.

CBC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with the letter and spirit of all federal and state laws. CBC encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legal protected characteristics. Candidates who need any accommodation in the application process or in employment should contact the Office of Human Resources.

Successful candidates must meet the following requirements

• Provide proof of lawful permanent residency or other appropriate work authorization as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Disclose any substantiated findings or any ongoing investigations related to sexual misconduct as required by RCW 28B.112.080.
• Pass a criminal background check. Note: information learned during the criminal background check will not necessarily preclude employment but may be a factor in eligibility for the position.
• Verify education at the time of hire.
• Maintain an alcohol-free and drug-free workplace during employment.

Other Job Elements

The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Work Conditions

Work environment includes office and other settings as appropriate. The position operates in a fast-paced service-oriented environment with frequent interaction and competing priorities. The noise level is typical of an office environment with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noise.