Student Services Navigator (5 positions)

Inside Higher Ed; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 52,293 - 53,862; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefit package

Tuition waiver for employee and dependents

Free access to sports centers and campus events

Paid Leave

12 paid holidays

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Portland is seeking a Student Services Navigator to provide exceptional support to students and community members. The role involves addressing inquiries, guiding individuals, and connecting them to specialist support. Ideal candidates will have strong customer service skills and relevant experience. This position is primarily onsite, with limited remote work opportunities.

Qualifications

• One year of relevant customer service experience.
• Two years of office support experience.
• Experience with public contact and providing technical assistance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a one-stop resource for students and community members.
• Provide clear, compassionate guidance and accurate information.
• Help connect individuals to appropriate college staff for specialized assistance.

Skills

Customer Service

Conflict Resolution

Problem Solving

Communication

Bilingual

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

One year of college level coursework in a related field

Job description

Student Services Navigator (5 positions)

Portland Community College is the largest post‑secondary institution in Oregon and the 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full‑ and part‑time students. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. Wherever you’re coming from and wherever you’re going in life, PCC offers classes and programs to get you there.

Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority. We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.

Portland Community College will ensure that applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the hiring process are provided for. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the PCC Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail].

Please Note: PCC currently limits employment to individuals residing in Oregon and Washington.

The Student Services Navigation Centers are seeking a dynamic and student‑focused individual to join our team as a Student Services Navigator. In this front‑line, customer service‑oriented role, you will serve as a one‑stop resource for students and community members, providing exceptional support across multiple service modalities.

What You’ll Do and Who We Are Looking For

As the first point of contact, you will play a critical role in welcoming and assisting individuals—whether they arrive with general questions, complex concerns, or are experiencing frustration. You will provide clear, compassionate guidance and accurate information, drawing on a strong working knowledge of key partner departments across the College. Navigators are expected to actively maintain this knowledge to ensure they can represent those areas effectively and offer timely, relevant support. When needed, you will help connect individuals to appropriate college staff for more specialized assistance. In addition to providing direct support, you will have access to student systems to process registrations and perform other essential functions on behalf of students and the College.

This work is fast‑paced and will continue to evolve in response to the changing needs of students and the community. Navigators must have a service mindset, be adaptable, solutions‑oriented, and ready to grow with the role as services, systems, and student expectations continue to shift. This position is essential in creating a seamless, student‑centered experience that supports success, reduces barriers, and fosters a sense of belonging throughout the student journey.

Position is fully onsite with very limited remote work opportunities as determined by the supervisor.

See the full job classification detail: https://www.pcc.edu/hr/employment/classified-jobs/student-services-navigator/

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. One year of college level coursework in Student Services, Business, Service Industry, Sociology, Communication or a related field.
• One year of relevant experience may substitute for the college level coursework.
• Two years of experience in general office support or one year experience in a student or customer service environment with considerable public contact providing technical assistance and guidance to others and working with complex procedures and regulations.

Desired Qualifications

• Bi‑Lingual

Preferred Qualifications / Success Criteria

• Direct experience in admissions, enrollment, financial aid, or student advising, particularly in a high‑volume, customer‑facing role.
• Strong Customer Service & Conflict Resolution Skills – Experience handling difficult situations professionally, de‑escalating conflicts, and providing excellent student support across multiple service channels.
• Ability to Work Independently & Collaboratively – Strong problem‑solving, multitasking, and teamwork skills to navigate student needs efficiently while working with cross‑functional teams.

Education

The PCC district encompasses a 1,500‑square‑mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two‑year degrees, one‑year certificate programs, short‑term training, alternative education, pre‑college courses and life‑long learning. As part of our College community, you’ll enjoy:

• A collaborative and inspiring campus community.
• Opportunities for learning and professional development.

Position Grade

Classified 18 (A)

Employment Type

Full time

Total Rewards Package / What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefit package.
• Oregon PERS contribution.
• Tax‑deferred annuity program and a deferred compensation program.
• Tuition waiver for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children under 24 years of age, as well as partial tuition reimbursement for full‑time employees at other accredited institutions.
• Free access to the sport centers / campus gymnasiums, performing arts, and cultural events.
• Conference and Event Rental Space – Employees receive 50% off when on‑campus for personal events.
• Paid Leave (Pro‑rated by FTE for Part‑Time Employees) reference Classified Agreement.
• Starts at 8 hours of vacation leave per month (additional vacation hours with years of service).
• 1 day of sick leave per month.
• 12 paid holidays.
• PCC Winter Break (when College is Closed).
• 24 hours of personal leave per year.

More detailed information on the benefits plans, who is eligible, and how to enroll or make changes can be found at https://pcc.edu/hr/benefits. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions.

How We Determine Initial Salary Placement

Salary placement for Classified positions at PCC is based on relevant professional experience, as well as internal equity. This position is Classified Grade 18. Per PCC’s Classified Employee contract, initial placement is typically in the first two steps of the range: $52,293 and $53,862 per year. Higher salary placement may be available based on qualifications, experience and internal equity. See the complete Classified Employee salary range here: https://www.pcc.edu/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2024/06/Classified-Appendix-A-2024-2025.pdf.

Oregon Veterans’ Preference in Public Employment

Portland Community College complies with the Oregon Veterans’ Preference in Public Employment law which provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. You will be given instructions during the application process to claim Veterans’ Preference in the recruitment of this position, and to provide the documents required for verification of eligibility. Please do not send your documentation to the hiring manager directly. For verification of eligibility, please submit the following documentation:

• Veterans: DD214
• Disabled Veterans: DD214 and Letter from the Department of VA

Notice of the Availability of the Annual Security Report

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), you may view Portland Community College’s (PCC) most recent Annual Security Report (ASR) on the Department of Public Safety website. The ASR contains current security and safety‑related policy disclosure statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information and resources, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains crime statistics for Clery Act crimes which occurred on PCC properties for the last three calendar years. Paper copies of the ASR are available upon request at all Department of Public Safety offices.

PCC Employment Offers are Contingent Upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check

Portland Community College will conduct a background check as a condition of employment. This may include criminal history, education and employment verification, credit history, and other relevant documentation as required by state law.

Visa Sponsorship

Portland Community College is not currently able to provide visa (e.g., H1‑B Visa) sponsorship for potential employees.

Contact

For questions about this position, please contact [e-mail].