Student Retention Specialist (Health Sciences)

The Opportunity:The Health Sciences Student Retention Specialist provides high-impact student-centered academic and career support for students enrolled in health sciences programs. The Specialist collaborates with faculty advisors and support services to promote student success retention and completion while fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment.

This is a full-time benefits-eligible position working 40 hours per week 12 months a year.

About SVC: Established in 1926 Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within theWashington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelors degrees as well as certificates in high-quality academic transfer pathways workforce training basic education for adults and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTCs Vision statement; Leading with racial equity our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial social and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.

SVCs commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education inspire student learning and achievement and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access achievement and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms policies and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial ethnic and linguistic demographics in the district particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity minded leadership faculty and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and to diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Mission:Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational personal and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision:The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access achievement and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching learning and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly supportive and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health dental vision and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Student Liaison

• Provide individualized academic support and educational planning for students in health sciences programs through appropriate referrals and collaboration;
• Support students in navigating registration financial aid processes academic policies and institutional resources;
• Assist students in preparing for clinical placement requirements (e.g. immunization records background checks);
• Provide monthly quarterly and annual reports to the Dean of Health Sciences on students contacted success in retention and initiatives in progress or completed.

• Track student progress using case management systems and intervene with proactive outreach when academic risk is identified;
• Maintain accurate records and produce reports related to student engagement success and outcomes;
• Participate in retention and persistence efforts aligned with institutional goals and accreditation requirements.

• Serve as a liaison between students faculty and campus resources including disability services counseling and career services;
• Coordinate and implement student success initiatives such as workshops orientations tutoring/educational referrals and career exploration.
• Promote an environment of diversity equity inclusion and belonging for all students;
• Communicate with department staff and faculty to understand student needs identify opportunities for improvement or change and collaborate in a team for student success.

• Work with department faculty and support staff as appropriate to understand cohort needs progression and individual learning contracts for students;
• Attend department meetings for all health sciences programs typically 3 per quarter and additional meetings as needs arise.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Counseling Education Health Sciences or a related field or a combination of equivalent education and experience;
• Two (2) years of experience working in student support academic advising or related roles in higher education;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment;
• Knowledge of issues affecting community college students especially those in health-related programs;
• Proficiency with student information systems and technology tools (e.g. TargetX Starfish CRM platforms MS Office Canvas CTCLink).

• Masters degree in Higher Education Counseling Student Affairs Public Health or related discipline;
• Experience working in a health sciences education setting (e.g. nursing allied health);
• Familiarity with accreditation standards related to health professions education;
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus.

• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of students faculty and college staff;
• Ability to work autonomously given goals and mission of the department as directed by supervisor.

Salary and Benefits:

• Annual salary rate for this twelve-month 100% of full-time position is $60000 - $65000annually depending on experience;
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
• This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Salary retirement medical and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at Deadline:Priority screening will begin after August 26 2025. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date maybe considered until the position is filled.
  
  Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.
  
  Priority Screening Date: August 26 2025
  Interviews with Committee: Week of September 8 2025
  Finalist Interviews: TBD
  Anticipated Start Date: October 1 2025 or October 16 2025
  
  Application Procedure:
  To be considered for this position applicants must:
  1. Meet the minimum qualifications and;
  2. Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at includes the following:
     • The online application which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
     • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
     • A letter of interest addressing the minimum desired qualifications and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).
  In order to be considered for the position you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
  
  Conditions of Employment:
  • 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 applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.
    
    Additionally 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 applicants current or past employer. By law post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.
  
  
  • In the interest of providing a healthy safe and secure educational and work environment and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
  • If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
  • Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.
  
  Application Assistance:If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation you may contact Human Resources at Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at by the application closing date. Information on SVCsReasonable Accommodation policy can be found atOPPM 3040.
  
  For questions regarding the online application system you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Safari Microsoft Edge and later versions of Internet Explorer.
  
  SVC Annual Security Report:The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies procedures and statistics on certain crimes including hate crimes domestic violence dating violence stalking and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling or by accessing the Report at:
  
  Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.
  
  Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race color creed religion national origin sex sexual orientation and/or gender identity pregnancy genetic information age marital status disability honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies contact Carolyn Tucker Vice President of Human Resources/EEO 360.416.7794 or . For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance contact Title IX Coordinator Sandy Jordan 360.416.7923 or . Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way Mount Vernon WA 98273. All faculty and staff hired at Skagit Valley College are encouraged to embrace continually support and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community. Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination.