Description

Position Summary:

To apply, please visit: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/piercedist/jobs/5166640/retention-manager-trio-student-support-services?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs 

Please Note: Pierce College is seeking to fill two (2) Retention Manager vacancies. The salary range for this position is $76,548.00 - $94,708.00 annually. The salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and related experience. Typically, new hires start no higher than $79,738.00/year, based on Pierce College's Administrative/Exempt Compensation Plan.

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. The Pierce College District is committed to being an anti-racist institution; to truly be anti-racist we must work deliberately to eliminate barriers that have prevented the most promising and capable students from entering and thriving in college.

The Student Achievement Support Services (SASS) TRIO Student Support Services Retention Manager is primarily focused on closing college access gaps, increasing persistence, degree completion, and college/university enrollment for prospective and enrolled students in SASS TRIO SSS programs.

The Student Engagement Services division oversees several Department of Education federal grants and programs:

• TRIO Programs: Student Support Services, Talent Search, Upward Bound
• Institutional Programs: Black and Brown Scholars

This position joins a dynamic team that provides holistic and culturally responsive services, with a specialized focus on students who have been historically marginalized and disenfranchised. The Retention Manager is responsible for direct case management of up to 140 TRIO SSS students and for developing retention strategies to ensure persistence, degree completion, and university transfer after graduation.

The Retention Manager provides academic coaching, career exploration, financial aid and literacy workshops, coordinates university tours, and facilitates educational enrichment activities that align with student and TRIO SSS grant goals. This position reports to the Director of College Services, Puyallup, SASS Department. 

For more information Student Engagement Services Division please visit https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/student-engagement-services.

More about the TRIO Student Support Services programs

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS Classic)

The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at Pierce College Puyallup provides proactive academic, personal, financial coaching and mentoring to 140 first generation, under-resourced students, and students with disabilities. 

The TRIO SSS program aims to increase the retention, completion and transfer of students to four-year universities. The TRIO SSS programs at Pierce College Puyallup are funded 100% through a federal TRIO grant by the U.S. Department of Education until September 24, 2030. This TRIO SSS Classic program is contingent upon continued federal funding.

TRIO Student Support Services Disability Support Services (SSS-DSS)

The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Disability Support Services (DSS) program at Pierce College Puyallup provides proactive academic, personal, and financial coaching and mentoring to 100 first-generation, under-resourced students, and students with disabilities.

The TRIO SSS-DSS program aims to increase the retention, completion and transfer of students to four-year universities. The TRIO SSS-DSS programs at Pierce College Puyallup are funded 100% through a federal TRIO grant by the U.S. Department of Education until September 24, 2030. The programs are contingent upon continued federal funding.

About the District:

Pierce College is a high-performing, mission-driven, data-informed, student-focused district committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. For 55 years, Pierce College has developed a national reputation for academic excellence and support services to ensure student success. The district is proud of the many awards and recognitions it has received. Pierce College is an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction and was the 2017 recipient of their prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award, given for measurable improvements in student outcomes.

Named as a Top 5 Finalist and a Rising Star for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom was recognized for exceptional achievements in student learning, certificate and degree completion while in community college and after transferring to a four-year institution, employment and earnings rates after graduation, and access for and success of minority and low-income students. Pierce College District was named as a Top 10 finalist for the 2021 Aspen Prize and a Top 25 for 2023. Pierce is also one of 30 original AACC Guided Pathways colleges and one of first five College Spark Washington pathways colleges. We have bold goals to have all students on a career pathway to increase completion rates for all students and to close achievement gaps by 2027.

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake. Want a feel for our District, take a peek with aerial campus views! 

Pierce College at Puyallup

Located on an expansive site with 125-acres of wooded land including modern facilities and beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM

Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active duty families serving our country. 

Our colleges enjoy a strong presence in the communities in which they serve and participate in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations.

Essential Functions:
 

The Retention Manager will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

Providing Direct Student Engagement & Retention Services

• Oversee and serve as the retention manager lead for the Puyallup TRIO SSS Classic or Disability Support Services program.
• Create a brave and collaborative environment that centers anti-racism, equity, and solidarity that is inclusive to the experiences of students, staff, and college community.
• Plan strategic and collaborative engagement activities and events for TRIO SSS students.
• Coordinate campus services and resources to support student engagement and retention in collaboration with SASS department staff, other college staff and external community partners.
• Provide culturally appropriate direct services to a TRIO SSS caseload of students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation students, students with disabilities, and/or under-resourced students.
• Assess students using program-specific intake forms, exploring past educational experiences, identifying cultural barriers to success, and other barriers to program completion and make appropriate referrals to internal and external partners.
• Provide holistic and culturally sustainable support services to new, continuing and returning students.
• Create an atmosphere for SASS TRIO SSS students to feel affirmed, empowered and valued.
• Develop, implement and coordinate strategies that meet SASS TRIO SSS programs objectives for persistence, completion, college/university enrollment for student caseload.
• Work on the development, implementation, and support of innovative practices, policies and programming that promote student achievement and degree completion with an emphasis on closing equity gaps in college access and completion.
• Provide systematic communication with students through multiple methods, including district approved technology and student progress reports which may reflect barriers resulting in referrals to internal or external resources.

Provide External and Internal Engagement Services

• Promote SASS TRIO SSS programs to individuals, college community, and local community organizations.
• Conduct quarterly culturally responsive, financial, educational workshops for program students and college campus community, student ambassadors and student workers to meet the needs of program students.
• Plan, organize, coordinate activities, events, and collaborate with department staff to implement student induction for new incoming students.
• Promote external engagement efforts which may include visitations to secondary schools and community- based organizations as needed to meet program federal goals.
• Assist with informing the college community of current equity issues impacting TRIO SSS students and sharing best practices and recommendations to ensure student success.
• Represent the college at external community functions and meetings.
• Assist with the development and/or selection of marketing and promotional materials, including media packages to increase engagement and enrollment for students in SASS TRIO SSS programs.
• Work in collaboration with Student Engagement Services division teams to ensure division goals are met.
  

Administrative Support

• Maintain administrative record keeping, student contracts for annual performance reports, and documentation for student and program outcomes.
• Complete monthly reports for travel, purchase card, and/or finance reconciliation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Business, Social Work, or related field of study or four (4) years of equivalent education and/or relevant professional experience or a combination of education and equivalent professional experience, provided it fully meets all essential job duties.
  • Examples of equivalent professional experience may include, but are not limited to, leadership or supervisory responsibilities; program development, coordination, and evaluation; student, client, or community support services; grant funded or compliance related work; training or facilitation experience; policy or procedure development; partnership or stakeholder engagement; administrative or operational roles of increasing scope; military or public service; or demonstrated expertise gained through relevant, professional experience. A combination of education and equivalent professional experience may be considered, provided it fully meets all essential job duties.

Experience Required:

• Two (2) years or more experience or providing direct service to clients/students.
• Experience working in diverse communities from marginalized and disenfranchised backgrounds such as first generation, low income, students with a disability, and students from diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds.

Application Process:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
• Complete the online application profile and apply for the specific job opening at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr.
• Cover Letter: Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. 
• Résumé: Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience.
• Transcripts: Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position; however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to bring copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education and/or coursework. International transcript must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services, visit: https://www.naces.org/members. Please note: Certain positions require specific levels of educational attainment such as a post-secondary degree, licensures or certifications. In order to evaluate applicant materials to determine if the minimum qualifications are met, information regarding your education and experience should be included in your application materials. Applications without transcripts attached, may receive notification that their application materials are incomplete. If you receive a notice and information has been provided elsewhere in your applications materials, please disregard. (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). 
• References: Upload (attach) a list of at least three (3) professional references with names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. One of which must be your current or most recent supervisor. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
• Supplemental Question: Provide a response to the following question: "How have you incorporated multicultural responsiveness into your professional growth?" Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.
  • To learn more about our Equity, Engagement, and Belonging efforts, please visit:  https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/equity-engagement-and-belonging.