WES Academic Advisor (INTERNAL ONLY)

Big Bend Community College; Moses Lake (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Bend Community College invites applications for a Workforce Education Services (WES) Academic Advisor in the Student Services Department. The role provides proactive recruitment, retention, academic advising, career advising, and student support to WES participants, helping with college navigation, academic planning, and access to resources to support persistence and completion.

Reporting to the Director of WES, the Advisor collaborates with external agencies such as WorkSource and DSHS and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, education, or related field.
• One or more years of professional experience assisting students from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver's license for travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic, financial aid, and career advising to students individually and in groups.
• Train students about WES funding options and financial literacy.
• Provide intake services to new WES students, including program eligibility screening, orientation, advising, and registration services.
• Provide continuing WES students with academic advising and educational planning, monitor their academic progress and success, and initiate interventions as appropriate.
• Provide college navigation services to students.
• Lead workshops for students in topics such as study skills and financial planning.
• Provide program participants information and referrals to appropriate college programs and community resources.
• Assist with recruitment, selection, and orientation of new WES students.
• Coordinate with public agencies and employers in service of potential students.

Skills

Computer literacy

Driver's license

Bilingual Spanish/English

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, education, or related field

Job description

You must be a current employee of Big Bend Community College in order to apply for this position as this is an Internal Position Opening only.

Big Bend Community College (BBCC), a rural college serving vibrant, culturally rich communities in the Columbia Basin of Central Washington invites applications for a Workforce Education Services (WES) Academic Advisor in the college's Student Services Department.

The WES Academic Advisor provides proactive recruitment, retention, academic advising, career advising, and student support services to participants served by the Workforce Education Services (WES) department. The position assists students with college navigation, academic planning, and access to resources that support persistence and completion of educational and career goals.

The position reports to the Director of Workforce Education Services and works collaboratively with WES staff to advance student success initiatives. The position also partners closely with external agencies and organizations, including WorkSource, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and local employers to coordinate services and support student achievement. Additionally, the position represents the department in collaborative relationships with public agencies and private organizations throughout the service area.

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position. Funding for the position is contingent upon grant funding and other appropriate funding sources.

To work at BBCC you will be participating in a movement. We are taking action to intentionally and fearlessly create a college where all feel they belong, all people are represented and respected for their lived experiences, and each has received the recognition and support needed to thrive. Our students, the HEART of BBCC, and our employees, the SOUL, are the reason we are deepening our commitment to this movement.

BBCC’s organizational strength is captured in our small but mighty spirit. A small college taking on BIG things to enact BIG change to lift our students and employees. We are dedicated to extending postsecondary access to all our service district members and providing an environment for all to grow personally and professionally, steered by our mission and vision.

Vision

To become our communities’ first choice to dream, learn, and succeed

Mission

Serve as a Bridge

Stand as a Leader

Support for Success

Guiding Principles

Honor our Role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Advocate for Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity

Embrace our Workplace Norms

Innovate Proactively

Model Integrity

Educate All

If you share these values, we encourage you to come be a part of the movement happening at Big Bend Community College.

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by September 30, 2026. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

WES Academic Advising

• Provide academic, financial aid, and career advising to students individually and in groups.
• Train students about WES funding options and financial literacy.
• Provide intake services to new WES students, including program eligibility screening, orientation, advising, and registration services.
• Provide continuing WES students with academic advising and educational planning, monitor their academic progress and success, and initiate interventions as appropriate.
• Provide college navigation services to students.
• Lead workshops for students in various topics such as study skills instruction, financial planning, and community resources.
• Provide program participants information and referrals to all appropriate college student programs, college departments, and community resources.
• Assist with recruitment, selection, and orientation of new WES students.
• Collaborate with public agencies and private organizations serving potential students including DSHS and Employment Security/WorkSource partners.

WES Outreach and Recruitment

• Participate in outreach and recruitment plan for students in collaboration with WES staff and college staff from other departments.
• Respond to inquiries from prospective students, outside agencies, and others on general college and WES program information; assist with student intake.
• Attend and represent BBCC Workforce Education Services at outreach and recruitment related events, meetings and workshops.

Case Management

• Manage a caseload of WES students.
• Track and report students’ participation.
• Perform monthly check-ins with WES students.
• Create files and maintain up-to-date students records.
• Interpret and communicate WES policies.
• Develop procedures and processes to meet student and program needs.
• Develop and maintain office procedures to assure program integrity.

WES Office Responsibilities

• Assist WES Director as necessary
• Prepare and maintain administrative and business reports and records
• Track WES applications.

OTHER WORK ACTIVITIES

• Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
• Follow safe work practices and policies, including, but not limited to security and safety, fire, disaster, and safe lifting.
• Ensure self- compliance with college policies and procedures and state and federal regulations.
• Conduct self in a professional manner and ensure the interaction with team members and other support groups is conducted in a courteous and efficient manner conducive to the college’s values.
• Ensure that additional duties, as may be required by management, be handled in a manner necessary to meet organizational standards.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; particularly proofreading skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully as a contributing team member
• Ability to successfully handle multiple tasks and deal positively with frequent interruptions.
• Build relationships with students, colleagues, and employers.
• Work as a member of a team to increase student success and degree completion.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Utilize leadership experience and ability to take initiative.
• Effectively use technology to reach students and increase efficiency.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to engage in one‑on‑one and in public forum.
• Utilize problem‑solving abilities, especially in cases requiring quick action and resolution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, education, or related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• One or more years of professional experience assisting students in the target population (first generation, financially disadvantaged, and/or differently abled students) and/or individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver's license for travel.

Desirable Qualifications

• Work experience at a Community and/or Technical College in student services and/or workforce education.
• Experience working with adults to develop educational goals.
• Bilingual Spanish/English proficiency.
• Demonstrated bicultural experience.

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by September 30, 2026. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.

NOTE

NOTE: You must complete the online application in full and respond to the required supplemental questions. Failure to provide this information or responses of "See Resume" may eliminate you from consideration for this position. The college reserves the right to remove documents, submitted but not requested, by BBCC as part of the application process. These documents include, but are not limited to statements of teaching philosophy, diversity statement, letters of recommendation, student evaluations, performance evaluations, etc.

BBCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.

This posting does not reflect the entire job description and may be changed and/or modified, at any time, without notice.

If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 1-855-524-5627.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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 are 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. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete the questions.

Prior to employment, 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 the position.

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.5, employees of higher education must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, new hired employees will be asked to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination, or request and be approved for a medical or religious exemption before beginning their employment with the College.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the College to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Official transcripts must be provided to the college upon hire.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Big Bend provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Please direct all inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity, and/or grievances to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Section 504 Coordinator, BBCC 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837; or via email at [e-mail].

DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE CAMPUS

In compliance with state and federal regulations, BBCC is committed to a safe and drug and alcohol-free campus. Employees are expected to comply with BBCC’s policy prohibiting illegal drug use or activity, including notifications of criminal drug convictions and the use of prescription drugs or over‑the‑counter medications that are likely to affect job safety. The complete policy and procedure are available to view on the policies page of the BBCC website. Printed copies of the policy and procedure are available by contacting the Human Resources Office at 509-793-2008.

BBCC ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT

BBCC strives to be a safe and secure campus for our students, employees, and community. Detailed information regarding campus security, crime statistics for the most recent‑three year period, and other information is available on the Campus Safety and Security page of the BBCC website. If you have questions or would like a printed copy of the materials please contact Campus Safety and Security at 509-793-2286.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Big Bend Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or sensory disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, marital status, pregnancy status or families with children, a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, genetic information, and/or status as a veteran or any other legally protected classification.