Student Navigator

Salt Lake Community College; Utah; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt Lake Community College seeks a Student Navigator to support current and prospective students in accessing academic and technical programs and achieving educational and career goals.

You will guide students through college processes, coordinate with financial aid and admissions, and connect them with campus and community resources to promote persistence and success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2–5 years experience in student advising, workforce development, or social work.
• Experience with diverse and multicultural populations.

Responsibilities

• Coach students in career exploration and goal setting.
• Help students develop education and career plans and review courses and requirements.
• Assist with admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and academic standing.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Cultural competence

Independent worker

Record keeping

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Higher education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

All employees are expected to maintain a permanent residence within the State of Utah as a condition of employment. New employees must provide a valid Utah residential address within 30 days of their start date.

Job Summary

A Student Navigator engages with current and prospective students, providing individualized support to facilitate access to academic and technical programs, promote persistence in achieving educational and career goals, and facilitate successful transitions to college‑level programs or employment. The navigator helps students clarify career goals, develop short‑and‑long‑term academic plans and understand strategies for financing their education. Through regular, intentional check‑ins the Student Navigator promotes persistence, removes barriers to progress, and supports successful transition to college‑level programs or employment.

Key Responsibilities Include

Essential Duties & Responsibilities & Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Coaching students in career exploration, goal setting, and employment preparation
• Supports students in developing meaningful education plans aligned with their career and life goals. This includes identifying short‑and‑long‑term education and career pathways, reviewing wage and occupational information, selecting appropriate courses, interpreting institutional requirements, and monitoring progress toward established goals. Promotes decision‑making skills, awareness of educational resources, and self‑directed planning.
• Assists students with admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and academic standing.
• Works with student to develop individualized, sustainable financial plans that support them throughout their participation in the program. Coordinates with multiple funding sources to inform the plan.
• Connects students to support services if they experience family, personal, or economic challenges that may impact academic performance.
• Builds collaborative relationships with students, college staff, and community partners to foster self‑efficacy and support persistence and success for students across a wide range of backgrounds .
• Explains college processes, including assessment scores, placement, financial aid fundamentals, and available funding options.
• Serves as a liaison with the Department of Workforce Services, connecting students to employment resources and opportunities.
• Promotes career pathways through coordination with faculty, career services and community partners.
• Supports the department in accurately tracking, maintaining, and reporting student data.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain processes to all students including those with varying levels of English proficiency.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with immigrant, refugee, and underrepresented populations.
• Able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain accurate and organized records.
• Proficiency in using various computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage files, create documents and spreadsheets, navigate different platforms, and quickly learn new software with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with a variety of abilities and backgrounds, to maintain good working relationships across the College.
• Ability to work with all groups from a variety of academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, and with community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Two (2) to five (5) years of experience in student advising, workforce development, or social work, including assessing student needs and coordinating educational and community‑based services.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse and multicultural backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in education, social services, communications, or a related field.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency.
• Knowledge of student services functions and programs in a community college setting, including financial aid and academic advising.

SLCC Information

Salt Lake Community College is Utah’s largest open‑access college in the state. We proudly educate 45,000+ students pursuing degrees in 100+ programs across 8 areas of study, and Utah’s fastest growing industries and four‑year baccalaureate programs consistently welcome SLCC graduates. Every SLCC employee has a hand in transforming students’ lives to strengthen its surrounding communities. SLCC employees work at 8 locations across the valley and capital city of Salt Lake with easy access to the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, world‑class outdoor recreation, sporting events, museums, history, and arts and entertainment.

Salt Lake Community College seeks and values contributions from each community member and welcomes new perspectives. A respectful work environment is its top priority; academic excellence and lasting transformation occurs when we can collaborate freely. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, SLCC leads the state with the highest enrollment of students from the Latinx/a/o community. SLCC is committed to serving students and being a model for inclusive and transformative education.

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is fully committed to policies of equal employment and nondiscrimination. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, religion, protected veteran status, expression of political or personal beliefs outside of the workplace, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

SLCC is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). In addition to URS, SLCC offers several other retirement account options.

This position is subject to a successful completion of a criminal background check.