Open Doors Student Specialist

The Opportunity:The Open Doors Navigator works as part of a team to provide intentional interventions advising and support to students ages 16 to 21 who have disconnected from local school districts or who are not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21. This position works with local school district partners to support student engagement enrollment and completion of educational goals at Skagit Valley College. Open Doors is a high school completion program for eligible individuals who are 16 to 21 years of age and who are deficient in high school credits.

This position will collaborate with college staff faculty school district and community partners to develop and enhance relationships in order to improve persistence and completion rates for High School completion students. The position will maintain an understanding of Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) high school completion GED and college program requirements to ensure students have access to all educational opportunities. Work hours are typically Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. On occasion evening and weekend work may be required.

This is an exempt full-time 12-month position working at the Mount Vernon Campus. This position will work within the BEdA Program unit under the supervision of the Associate Dean of Student Support Programs. This is a contract-funded position and is dependent upon continued funding. This position works onsite at the main campus located in Mount Vernon Washington.

• 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 Intake Advising and Support

• In collaboration with faculty and other staff coordinate facilitate and evaluate entry and orientation activities for Open Doors students including (but not limited to): program overview and expectations program eligibility testing and placement educational planning navigation of strengths and goal setting;
• Manage a student caseload of up to 75 students; report attendance progress enrollment and completion to district partners;
• In English and Spanish deploy developmentally responsive and culturally competent program intake processes and continuing communication to foster smooth strengths-based transitions towards high school completion and transition to college certificate or degree programs;
• Evaluate high school and college transcripts to determine remaining high school credits/competencies needed for high school completion. Define and establish a written educational plan and academic success plan for students;
• Assist and guide students in English and Spanish with their career and academic plans including a timely and accurate review and interpretation of academic skills and assessment results to determine appropriate placement in courses. Provide guidance and information related to high school completion options college degrees certificates and courses policies and procedures and resources;
• Using a coaching approach build a positive mentoring relationship with students in English and Spanish and work with them in resolving issues that impede their academic success;
• Develop implement and coordinate intervention strategies related to the Colleges Academic Progress Policy by assisting them to make effective decisions toward their career and academic goals;
• Work closely with the Early Alert strategies to support program participants. Work with students and assist them with problem-solving educational and day-to-day issues closely and make referrals to other agencies for information emergency funds and community and campus resources as needed;
• Support students with the development of individual funding plans for students ready to transition to college and assist students in applying for Federal Financial Aid scholarships and other college funds;
• Other duties as assigned.

• Engage in regular follow-up contact and tracking of students data gathering and analysis and reporting;
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation and outcomes records on students using the requisite database programs;
• Track student progress in SVC Customer Relationship Management Databases (CRM) and information systems Target X and ctcLink in compliance with college and state procedures;
• Support reporting P223 in accordance with OSPI requirements including the attendance weekly check-in and claiming IAPs;
• Collect and maintain documentation from students and faculty for audit compliance;
• Develop systems and implement procedures to meet students success and retention goals and program-specific performance objectives and to ensure compliance with grant and program requirements;
• Determine and document student eligibility.

• Work with the program director to plan organize and implement program activities;
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to support and transition students from both school districts and community-based programs including hosting information sessions as needed;
• Identify community programming needs; and provide resources to students;
• Attend community-based organization and school district meetings to stay abreast of resources and build and maintain partnerships;
• Maintain an understanding of HS21 Open Doors BEdA WorkSource Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NCTA) and school district eligibility and graduation requirements;
• Participate in the department meetings training and conferences necessary to meet the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge and/or understanding of:

• Culture and issues faced by people in poverty;
• Issues related to adult high school student re-engagement;
• Washington State high school graduation requirements;
• College admission counseling registration and financial aid policies and processes;
• Resources available to students from counseling disability access services the SVC Foundation and financial aid;
• Promoting an equitable and ethical campus community in which all feel included and valued;
• Commitment to equity and inclusion;
• Community resources for food housing funding and assessment;
• Educational programs including Basic Skills developmental education and professional/technical certificates and degrees;
• Education and career pathways;
• State and federal laws affecting Skagit Valley College;
• Software programs and CRM database applications Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook etc.) or similar and WABERS.

Ability to:

• Interpret and maintain compliance with state and federal regulations;
• Present information to individuals and large groups orally and in writing;
• Maintain positive relationships with students partner agencies instructors department staff and employees in other units;
• Promote and model appropriate workplace behavior with culturally diverse populations;
• Promote an unbiased open forum for the safe exchange of ideas and learning opportunities;
• Apply sound judgment to a variety of problems within the workplace;
• Work effectively in adiverse dynamic and fast-paced workplace;
• Communicate clearly and effectively in English.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent education or higher in Social Work Counseling Education or related field OR at least two (2) years of experience providing case management Counseling or related direct services to at-risk youth or young adults;
• Experience in inaccurately collecting analyzing and reporting data to support program goals and reporting requirements;
• Experience working with populations representing diverse backgrounds life experiences and abilities;
• Oral and written fluency in Spanish.

• Experience advising students in educational programs;
• Coaching experience in intercollegiate athletics or other relevant coaching or athletics experience if applicable;
• Proficiency in working with and understanding spreadsheets and databases;
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges facing the disengaged high school population;
• Established ability to develop positive relationships with a diverse student population;
• Proven track record in developing deploying and evaluating student success and persistence strategies.

Salary and Benefits:

• Annual salary rate for this twelve-month 100% full-time position is $66000;
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon as 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 afterJuly 8 2026. 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: July 8 2026
  Interviews with Committee: Week of July 27th
  Finalist Interviews: Week of August 3rd
  Anticipated Start Date: August 16th or September 1st
  
  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 that 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.