Program Assistant (Enrollment Services)



Program Assistant (Enrollment Services)

Salary

$3,145.00 - $4,072.00 Monthly

Location

Walla Walla, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2023-170M

Department

ENROLLMENT SERVICES

Opening Date

08/18/2023

Closing Date

9/25/2023 10:41 AM Pacific

Join our team to help inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services.

Description

 
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is seeking applicants to fill two full-time Program Assistant positions at the Walla Walla campus. One Program Assistant position will be English/Spanish bilingual.
 
At Walla Walla Community College, we inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services. We have identified three core themes that describe the fundamental aspects of the College's mission by translating it into practice: Student Success, Strong Communities, and Resource Stewardship. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.
 
General Responsibilities:
 
The Program Assistant will serve as a first point of contact for Enrollment Services by providing primary coverage at the front counter. Responsibilities include providing financial aid, admissions, registration, and records information to current and prospective students and families, WWCC staff, and outside entities.  This position will assist with the application process and maintenance of records, and assist with the preparation of the financial aid awarding process.
 
Essential Functions:
 
Provide excellent customer service in assisting students and college partners with the admissions, registration, placement testing, and financial aid processes.
Tasks include: 

  • Respond to inquiries from current and prospective students, parents, college staff and the public about the application, registration, placement testing, and financial aid programs and processes. Forms of communication include in-person, written, and over the phone. 
  • Process the intake of admissions, registration, and financial aid paperwork, working with the student to ensure it is complete and accurate.
 
Assist with maintenance of student records
Tasks include: 
  • Input data as assigned and monitor data for accuracy, making corrections as necessary. This includes assisting with registration, enrollment and record-keeping processes and procedures among all campuses.
  • Maintain accurate digital and paper student files and records
  • Scanning and filing paper documents into digital imaging system
  • Maintain records according to state, Federal and WWCC regulations records retention plans.
 
 
Review, verify and maintain student applicant files (electronic and hard copy) and assist in the preparation for awarding of financial aid.
Tasks include: 
  • Participate in the review and maintenance of assigned checklist and other tracking fields including answering student and staff questions, reviewing submissions of completeness, and appropriately updating statuses to ensure successful file completion. 
  • Respond to daily emails and voicemails 
  • Return incomplete forms to students if necessary
  • Contact students to clear up any file discrepancies

Competencies

  • Ability to ensure FERPA disclosure policies are followed.
  • Ability to interpret and adhere to federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Ability to practice active listening; treat others with respect, kindness and consideration; interact with all people in a positive manner.
  • Ability to understand, respect and maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Ability to maintain a calm demeanor while working with stressed and anxious financial aid recipients.
  • Ability to build rapport and demonstrate a balance between building rapport and managing tasks.
  • Ability to effectively communicate including verbal and written communication methods.
  • Ability to manage existing record systems and review schedules for compliance with legal requirements and organizational standards.
  • Ability to effectively coordinate activities, services and schedules to ensure smooth and efficient operation of work.
  • Excellent keyboarding skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
  • Ability to use spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, to create, modify, print and format spreadsheets, find and replace data, and work with basic formulas and functions. Use templates, styles, AutoFormats, and multiple worksheets.
  • Ability to compose, send and respond to electronic mail and utilize email program functions such as calendars and meeting requests.
  • Ability and willing to pursue and identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services and provide recommendations to leadership about those findings.
 
 
Required Qualifications: 
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered at the discretion of the college.
 
  • High School graduation or equivalent
  • Two years of full-time relevant experience
  • Computer experience using databases and integrated software; working knowledge of current Microsoft Office.
  • One position requires Bilingual Spanish/ English (written/oral) skills; bilingual skills preferred for the second position.
 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
 
  • Associates degree 
  • Two years of relevant customer service experience
  • Experience working in a higher education setting 
  • Advanced Excel spreadsheet skills and Word document skills 

Conditions/Terms of Employment


Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position.
 
This classified position is in a bargaining unit for which WPEA Higher Ed is the exclusive representative. 
 
Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in an office environment; must have the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk or work station, frequent repetitive arm, hand and finger motions, frequent and extended use of computer and exposure to terminal screen, and work in an environment with multiple interruptions and demands on time that is often stressful and required deadlines. This contract position work schedule will typically be Monday through Friday 8-hours each day. During the summer, work schedule is Monday through Thursday 10-hours each day. Occasional travel is required for this position. This position has frequent interactions with students and colleagues both on and off campus.
 
The college has an excellent benefit program including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; paid sick leave; paid vacation leave; and retirement plan.  All full-time employees will automatically have 3% of taxable income deferred into the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) unless declined at time of hire. WWCC requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary. The college is tobacco free.  
 
Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful authorization to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment, and successfully complete a probationary period.  WWCC participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Candidates will be subject to a criminal history background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. 

Required Application Materials


This position is posted as open until filled. For priority consideration applications should be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 27, 2023. To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and submit a complete application packet that includes the following: 

  • Online NEOGOV application
  • Cover letter 
    • In your cover letter, please explain how your employment history has prepared you for this position; be sure to speak to the Qualification and Competencies.
  • Resume
  • List of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.
  • Answers to two (2) supplemental questions
  • Unofficial transcripts for application purposes; official transcripts are required prior to an official start date.

Please ensure you have attached all required application materials as you will not be able to attach any documents after you have submitted your application. If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please call NEOGOV Applicant Support at 1-855-524-5627 or email them directly at support@governmentjobs.com.

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

Walla Walla Community College is committed to provide equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all educational and employment applicants as well as for its students and employed staff, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/identity, marital status, age (over 40), the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or status as a Vietnam and/or disabled veteran, National Guard member or reservist in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Federal Rehabilitation of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable Federal and Washington State laws against discrimination. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need accommodations in the application/employment process, please contact Brooke Marshall, JD/Vice President of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator/Section 504 Compliance (509) 527-4300 - TDD (509) 527-4412, email brooke.marshall@wwcc.edu, address: 500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla WA, 99362.

MEDICAL/DENTAL INSURANCE
Medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance benefits are provided and administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board. Medical plans and benefits information along with a side-by-side comparison tool of medical plans can be found on the PEBB health plan page.

  • Dental Coverage Walla Walla Community college provides dental coverage at no monthly premium cost to the employee.
  • Vision Coverage Employees do not pay a separate premium for vision coverage; it is covered under the medical plan. Optical service frequency and hardware (glasses, contact lenses, etc.) vary depending on type of plan selected.
Eligibility
Permanent, seasonal and part-time employees as determined by WAC 182-12-114. Benefits also cover spouse or State-Registered Domestic Partner (SRDP), and qualifying dependents.
 
Effective date of coverage
First day of the month following your date of employment. If the date of employment is the first working day of the month, coverage begins on that date.


Medical Plan Monthly Costs
Employees pay their portion of medical care costs through payroll deduction. The employee premium is based on the choice of plan and elected coverage for spouse or SRDP, and dependent children.


MEDICAL FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA) & DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (DCAP)
https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/public-employees/medical-flexible-spending-arrangement-fsa

The FSA and DCAP plans are optional plans offered by the College and the State of Washington. They are calendar year, pre-tax, spending programs you can use to set aside money for eligible expenses. Both plans are offered as payroll deductions and are administered by Navia Benefit Solutions.

The FSA allows you to use pre-tax money to pay for certain out-of-pocket medical expenses. An FSA can be used to cover qualifying expenses such as: chiropractic care, over-the-counter medicine, first-aid supplies etc. For a full list of qualifying expenses visit: 
https://docs.naviabenefits.com/files/PEBB-Eligible-Expenses-2023.pdf (Download PDF reader).


RETIREMENT OPTIONS 

Eligible employees participate in a Washington state-sponsored retirement plan through one of two administrators: the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) or the Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association (TIAA). DRS administers the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) plans. TIAA administers the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP).
*Retirement plan options are determined by employee type and prior history in DRS-administered plans (PERS or TRS). 
Participation in a retirement plan is required.
For Classified positions:  PERS 2 or 3


VACATION, SICK, & PERSONAL LEAVE  
Vacation, sick leave and personal leave benefits are available and determined by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the college and WPEA, the exclusive bargaining representative. 

REDUCED TUITION WAIVER PROGRAM
Employees can take most credit and non-credit classes at a reduced cost when space is available and certain conditions are met.
 
Credit classes
Permanent classified, faculty, adjunct faculty and administrative employees of WWCC may take almost any credit class on a space-available basis if requirements and prerequisites have been met. The basic cost is $5.00, plus any fees associated with that class. Hourly and probationary employees are not eligible for this reduced tuition
.


***Please Note: All information above is subject to change based on, but not limited to, employment status, legislative mandates, or College policy changes. *If an employee is transferring from another Washington State public agency or institution of higher education, benefits and leave may be transferable.

01
As an institution, WWCC is deeply committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and access. What are some ways that you share a similar commitment, and how would you see yourself demonstrating it in this role?
02
The population we serve includes native Spanish speakers who are sometimes mono-lingual. Therefore, spoken and written Spanish language proficiency is required for one of these two open positions. If you are bilingual, please answer the following question in Spanish. If you are not bilingual, please answer the following question in English. QUESTION: Tell us about a specific time when your listening and communications skills helped you to engage better, and explain how you adjusted your approach to be inclusive of diverse populations. Cuéntanos sobre una situación específica en la que tus habilidades para escuchar te ayudaron a comunicarte mejor.

Required Question

Agency
Walla Walla Community College
Address
500 Tausick Way

Walla Walla, Washington, 99362
Phone
509-522-2500