Educational Planner - Running Start

Tacoma Community College; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Tacoma Community College seeks an Educational Planner for Running Start to guide admission, registration, and academic planning for high school students transitioning to college. You will build relationships with local high schools and community partners, provide planning resources, and support student success throughout the enrollment and transfer process.

The role emphasizes mentoring students, coordinating with faculty, and facilitating workshops to help families navigate college pathways.

Qualifications

• Experience providing services to ethnically and culturally diverse high school students.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise new/prospective students; explain degree and transfer requirements; clarify high school graduation equivalencies; interpret policies; assist in course selection and education plan development.
• Assist students in clarifying educational, career, and life goals.
• Serve as resource and advocate for students, parents and families; help students become self-directed in planning.
• Maintain accurate student files for enrolled students.
• Work with faculty to assure learning support and resources.
• Participate in outreach activities at local high schools and college fairs, especially for historically under-enrolled populations.
• Liaise with school districts, high school counselors and registrars on policies and coursework.
• Mentor Running Start students; participate in program services and activities.
• Assist with enrollment data, monthly reports and statistics; monitor enrollment data.
• Assist with fee waiver and book assistance for low-income students.
• Represent the Running Start Program on college and statewide committees.
• Engage in professional development; perform related duties.

Skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Diversity and equity awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management

Job description

Priority Consideration Date: October 11, 2026

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Summary

The Educational Planner – Running Start facilitates admission, application, registration, and academic support functions for Running Start students. This position assists students in the development of meaningful educational and career goals by providing educational planning assistance and promoting student retention through support services, new student orientations, and ongoing collaboration with faculty and staff. The selected Educational Planner will work on building relationships with community organizations and local high school staff and students. The Educational Planner will then support those students through our Running Start program. The Educational Planner will work closely with students to identify educational opportunities and challenges, as well as offer direction and guidance to assist students in successfully enrolling in a post-secondary institution. Finally, the Educational Planner will hold informational workshops that help students and their families navigate career and transfer paths at TCC, as well as provide support to students transitioning from Running Start enrollment into post-secondary degree completion programs.

• Advise new/prospective students; explain degree and transfer requirements; clarify high school graduation equivalencies, interpret assessment scores; articulate college policies and procedures; and assist in course selection and the development of individualized education plans.
• Assist students in clarifying educational, career, and life goals.
• Serve as a resource and advocate for students, parents and families and assist students in becoming self-directed in the educational planning process.
• Maintain accurate student files on each enrolled student.
• Work with faculty as needed to assure appropriate and effective learning support and resources.
• Participate in outreach activities at local high schools and college fairs, with a particular emphasis on populations that have been historically low-enrolled at TCC.
• Serve as a liaison with school districts, high school counselors and registrars regarding policies and procedures, course equivalencies, academic standing and student success issues.
• Serve as a mentor for students in the Running Start Program.
• Participate as a team member in the implementation of services and activities to support the success of Running Start students.
• Assist with statistical information and data collection including monthly enrollment reports.
• Monitor student enrollment data.
• Assist with fee waiver and book assistance program for low-income students.
• Represents the Running Start Program on college and statewide committees.
• Participate in professional development activities as appropriate.
• Perform related duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university OR equivalent education and experience.
• Experience providing services to ethnically and culturally diverse high school students.
• Experience managing large numbers of students/clients while maintaining quality service.
• Proficient level of experience using computer applications such as word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, database and desktop publishing software.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience working with and providing services to Running Start students.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

• Ethics and integrity, and sound professional judgment.
• An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
• Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse population, both within and outside the college.
• Excellent customer service skills in person and over the phone.
• Ability to earn trust, respect, and confidence through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning business and customer matters.
• Successful experience working with youth/young adult population.
• Skill in using data and information to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form conclusions and make decisions.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a deadline oriented high-pressure environment.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time position scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm with some evening hours required. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet business and program needs. The full time salary for this position is $65,000 - $68,000. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. A collective bargaining agreement exists and membership in the Washington Federation of State Employees Exempt Bargaining Unit or payment of a service fee is available anytime upon employment. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse. International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.

Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal equal-opportunity employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Patricia McCray Roberts, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5051; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Building 7, 253-566-5157. Tacoma Community College is a smoke-free/drug free environment. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.

Tacoma Community College

Human Resources

6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466

www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment