HS Completion / ABE Navigator

Priority Consideration Date: February 8, 2026

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.
Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.
We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

position Summary
The BEdA department includes a range of programs including Adult High School Completion options: High School Plus (HS+) & GED, Basic Skills, English Language Acquisition (ELA) and I-BEST (Integrated Basic education and Skills Training). The role of the BEdA Navigators is to engage with and support current and prospective students by providing comprehensive services that encourage students to persist in reaching their educational goals. The effective candidates will be a vital part of the BEdA team and coordinate with other TCC department to ensure all students are welcomed into TCC programs. These positions have many functions in common (Essential Functions) while focusing on different student populations. Individual functions are listed separately. These positions report to the Associate Dean of Basic Education for Adults. These positions are primarily in-person with some hybrid options available.

Advising Functions:

• Promote effective and inclusive onboarding of BEdA students by being a part of the intake and orientation team for BEdA.
• Collaborate with student services, staff, and faculty to place students into appropriate levels of study and monitor student progress and participation.
• Advise prospective participants regarding program-specific processes and potential academic and vocational options.
• Participate in program recruitment both internally and externally.
• Provide consistent, ongoing advising and support to students utilizing various modes of communication.
• Assist students with developing secondary and post-secondary educational plans.
• Work collaboratively to design and deliver group advising sessions and workshops including quarterly Educational Planning Day sessions.
• Utilize student engagement programs such as Civitas, Inspire, and early alerts to provide timely supports.

Navigating Functions:

• Promote student access, retention, and diversity by fostering a sense of community and belonging for BEdA participants and acting as a liaison to student support services.
• Initiate appropriate interventions for students who are experiencing academic or non-academic difficulties.
• Connect students with appropriate academic and funding resources when transitioning to college or career.
• Build relationships with students, college staff and community partners that foster self-efficacy to increase persistence and success for underrepresented populations.
• Evaluate incoming high school transcripts and placement scores for the HS+ program.
• Communicate individual student requirements to faculty and maintain and submit accurate records for state reporting.
• Coordinate class scheduling for students taking an ABE subject and a college-level subject.
• Demystify college processes including assessment scores, placement, basic financial aid processes and other funding options.

Programmatic Functions:

• Develop and maintain student records and reports as required by the college and other agencies, including tracking of I-BEST and career pathway program outcomes such as program completions, persistence data, GPA, employment and transition to further training/academic programs.
• Work with the associate dean and data consultant to prepare and report student records and program data via college and agency reporting systems.
• Participate in committees, taskforces, and events which build and promote the targeted initiatives and goals of the college.
• Keep current on changes to high school graduation requirements (credit and non-credit) and attend local and state HS+ trainings.
• Collaborate with other staff and faculty to develop student education plans.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Evening hours required during peak enrollment times.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position:

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate:

• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders: students, staff, faculty, community partners and the general public.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work in complex systems.
• Commitment to serving the needs of historically underrepresented populations, including but not limited to low-income populations, limited-English speakers, and those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and other barriers to education and employment.
• Excellent customer service skills both in person and remotely including establishing, building and maintaining internal and external relationships that promote student success.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability and willingness to serve diverse populations.
• The ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• The ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
• An appreciate of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, staff, and community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to professional growth.

TCC strongly encourages individuals who have followed a non-traditional educational path to apply.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college.
• Experience in advising and guiding students through their educational pathways.
• OR equivalent education and/or experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, email, and remote communications tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with historically underrepresented and non-dominant adult populations.
• Previous experience working in a Basic Skills Program.

Required conditions of employment:

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Application Materials & Procedure
Complete application packages must include the following.

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Resume & cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.
4. Tacoma Community College is committed to eliminating barriers and systems of oppression so we may serve all learners AND support each other as colleagues. We strive to be an anti-racist institution and value compassion, respect, and continuous improvement. A critical component of this is the understanding that the work of establishing, cultivating, and championing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) belongs to all employees. Please share with us, in an attached statement (maximum two pages), how your experiences and understanding of EDI will contribute to, foster, and support this crucial work here at TCC.

Terms of Employment
This is a full-time professional position contracted on an annual basis. The salary for this position is $62,000 – $63,500. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package for you and your dependents including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by the National Clearinghouse.International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency. Successful completion of a criminal history background check is required upon employment.
Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Student Affairs Administration Office at 253-566-5115. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.