Education Planner - Running Start Advisor

Lower Columbia College; Longview (WA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA seeks an Education Planner - Running Start Advisor to guide high school students into Running Start, help with academic planning, and promote college programs.

The role works with the Running Start team within Student Services, serving a diverse student population; typical schedule is 40 hours/week, Mon-Fri 8-5 with some evenings during peak enrollment, on-campus with occasional work from home after training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination of education and experience working with student populations.
• Strong technology background with ability to work with complex systems in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter with high degree of motivation, energy, flexibility and willingness to innovate.
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Sound organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Service-oriented approach and positive can-do attitude with a student first mentality.
• Demonstrate cultural competence, including awareness and understanding of historically underrepresented populations, and create an educational and work environment that affirms commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Assist students in understanding college culture, expectations, degree requirements, and quarterly schedule development.
• Maintain working knowledge of admissions requirements, financial aid policies, and degree pathways.
• Advise students on degree requirements for professional/technical and transfer programs.
• Evaluate transfer of credit and research course descriptions to determine transferability.
• Understand requirements and advise for multiple degree and certificate programs.
• Conduct individual and group new student advising appointments.
• Monitor the academic progress and performance of a caseload of Running Start students.
• Ensure timely follow-up, resolution, and documentation of early alerts and student concerns.
• Proactively connect with students throughout the quarter.
• Develop and implement appropriate intervention strategies for students under Academic Concern or Notice.
• Serve as the primary liaison between area high schools and the College for the Running Start Program.
• Deliver high school outreach efforts, including school visits, parent info nights, and orientation events.
• Communicate proactively with students, families, high school partners, and campus partners to reduce barriers.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with high school districts and community partners.
• Make timely decisions for Running Start students following program and state guidelines.
• Process enrollments and scheduling changes (add/drops) for Running Start students.
• Leverage advising technology tools and G-Suite/Google Sheets to track data, notes, and reporting.
• Access, review, and maintain student records in strict compliance with FERPA regulations.
• Manage flexible hours/evenings during peak enrollment periods.
• Develop, maintain, and update informational brochures, handouts, and social media content.
• Participate in professional development, conferences, and training opportunities.
• Serve on campus committees, workgroups, and special projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Tech proficiency

Communication

Organization

Cultural competence

Advising skills

Education

Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination of education and experience working with student populations

Tools

G-Suite/Google Sheets

Job description

At a Glance!

The Education Planner - Running Start Advisor is responsible for assisting students in becoming Running Start students by developing meaningful career goals through academic planning assistance, coordinating high school outreach functions, and marketing and promoting college programs related to the Running Start Program. This position will serve as the liaison between area high schools and the College. The successful candidate must be organized, flexible, a self-starter, and be willing to work as a team member within a collaborative, student-first environment. This role requires the ability to manage high-volume enrollment processing while maintaining accuracy and delivering individualized or group advising support. Availability to work in a flexible work environment, which includes late evenings and an occasional weekend, especially during peak enrollment periods.

About the Team!

The Running Start team is part of the Student Services Division and works collaboratively to effectively advise students and coordinate with high school partners. The staff work closely to ensure students are on track to meet their educational and career goals, and provide an engaging and supportive learning experience. This position plays a key role in the college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work by supporting a diverse group of dual credit high school students, many of whom are first-generation college students as well as from low-income households.

The Running Start Education Planner is 40 hours per week. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Some flexibility for evening hours is needed during peak registration times. This is an on-campus position with the occasional opportunity to work from home once training has been completed. This position is exempt under the FLSA and eligible for overtime and reports to the Running Start Director.

We typically hire in the lower to middle range of the salary range. Offers are made based on the applicant’s qualifications relative to the job, internal pay equity, and any other relevant factors.

Academic Advising & Educational Planning

• Assist students in understanding college culture, expectations, degree requirements, and quarterly schedule development
• Maintain working knowledge of admissions requirements, financial aid policies, and degree pathways
• Advise students on degree requirements for professional/technical and transfer programs
• Evaluate transfer of credit and research course descriptions to determine transferability
• Understand requirements and advise for multiple degree and certificate programs
• Conduct individual and group new student advising appointments

Retention, Intervention & Student Success

• Monitor the academic progress and performance of a caseload of Running Start students
• Ensure timely follow-up, resolution, and documentation of early alerts and student concerns
• Proactively connect with students throughout the quarter
• Develop and implement appropriate intervention strategies for students under Academic Concern or Notice

High School Outreach & Program Liaison

• Serve as the primary liaison between area high schools and the College for the Running Start Program
• Deliver high school outreach efforts, including school visits, parent info nights, and orientation events
• Communicate proactively with students, families, high school partners, and campus partners to reduce barriers
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with high school districts and community partners

Program Operations & Administrative Compliance

• Make timely decisions for Running Start students following program and state guidelines
• Process enrollments and scheduling changes (add/drops) for Running Start students
• Leverage advising technology tools and G-Suite/Google Sheets to track data, notes, and reporting
• Access, review, and maintain student records in strict compliance with FERPA regulations
• Manage flexible hours/evenings during peak enrollment periods

Communications, Professional Development & Campus Engagement

• Develop, maintain, and update informational brochures, handouts, and social media content
• Participate in professional development, conferences, and training opportunities
• Serve on campus committees, workgroups, and special projects
• Perform other related duties as assigned

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination of education and experience working with student populations
• Strong technology background with ability to work with complex systems in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter with high degree of motivation, energy, flexibility and willingness to innovate
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Sound organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Service-oriented approach and positive can-do attitude with a student first mentality
• Demonstrate cultural competence, including awareness and understanding of historically underrepresented populations, and create an educational and work environment that affirms commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in education with an emphasis on teaching, academic advising or counseling
• Masters degree in student development or similar area of study
• Bilingual or fluency in other languages
• Experience working in dual credit programs (CiHS, CTE, AP), TRiO, or secondary-to-postsecondary transition programs

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.

Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement

To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources

For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at [phone], or email us directly at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Jason Arrowsmith, Director of Security, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, [e-mail], Phone number, [phone], Phone number/TTY [phone].

• Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.
• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.
• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LCC celebrates and embraces diversity of all kinds, including differing beliefs, cultures, people, and experiences. We commit to institutional and individual changes that recognize, understand, and challenge patterns of social inequity and systemic disparities within our ever-changing world. For more information, see Diversity & Equity.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers or professional association. By law, post‑secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.

Anticipated Start Date

LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.