What are the responsibilities and job description for the HS Completion / ABE Navigator position at Tacoma Community College?
Who We Are
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
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.
Essential Functions
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.
Qualifications
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 Process
Application Materials & Procedure
Complete application packages must include the following.
- Tacoma Community College online application.
- Resume & cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications.
- Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.
- 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.
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.
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466
TCC offers a comprehensive benefits package which include medical, dental, life insurance, and long- term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement System
Eligibility
Full-time faculty, classified staff, administrators and professional staff are eligible for benefits. Hourly employees and part-time faculty may be eligible for benefits if, and when, they meet specific criteria and are notified by TCC Human Resources.
Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of hire, or date of achieving eligibility status. If the date of hire is the first working day of the month, coverage begins immediately.
Health Insurance
Medical Plans
Eligible employees have several medical plan options to select from (provided by PEBB). Employees pay a monthly premium through payroll deduction.
Premium Rates Effective January 1, 2024
Resources:
PEBB Website
Medical Plan information
PEBB Medical Plan Comparison
Employees choose from three dental plans. TCC covers the full dental premium for employees and enrolled dependents.
Resource:
Dental Plan Comparison
Vision
Covered under medical plan chosen.
Waiving Medical Coverage
If you have other employer-based medical insurance, Medicare or TRICARE, you have the option to waive PEBB medical coverage. Dental is mandatory for all eligible employees and cannot be waived, unless enrolled in dental coverage as a dependent under a SEBB (School District Employee Benefits Board) plan.
Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) & Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) & Limited Purpose FSA
FSA & DCAP accounts allow employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and/or childcare expenses.
Members of WFSE (HE CCC) and WPEA, will be eligible to receive a $250 FSA card if employed as of November 1, 2023 with an annual full-time equivalent salary of less than $60,000, and is enrolled in a non-CDHP medical plan as of January 1 of the plan year that FSA funds are made available. This card is
issued by PEBB in the following January and does not count against the annual FSA limit, if enrolled in an FSA with Navia.
The Limited Purpose FSA is eligible for employees who are enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that has a Health Savings Account. The Limited Purpose FSA is only for dental and vision expenses.
Resource:
Navia Benefit Solutions
Life Insurance
Benefits eligible employees, lawful spouse or same-sex domestic partner, dependent children under 26 years of age are eligible to enroll in life insurance. Coverage is effective first of the month following the date of employment for basic coverage; for optional coverage, amounts become effective the first of the month following approval date.
Basic Coverage: $35,000 Basic Term Life & $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) This is employer-provided at no cost to the employee.
Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage(s): Any supplemental term life insurance and AD&D coverage for employee, lawful spouse, qualified same-sex domestic partner, and family is available at additional cost to the employee.
MetLife Life Insurance
Long Term Disability (LTD)
Basic LTD: Provides 60% of the first $400 pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income at no cost to the employee.
Supplemental LTD: Supplemental LTD coverage to replace at 60% or 50% of full pre-disability earnings is available at an additional cost to the employee.
Resource:
PEBB Long-Term Disability Insurance
PAID LEAVE
Classified staff, Administrators, and Professional staff are eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave, along with paid federal holidays. Classified Monthly vacation entitlement amounts can vary from 11.33 to 16.67 hours per month depending on the length of state service. Administrator/Exempt Professional vacation leave is 16.00 hours per month. Monthly sick leave entitlement is 8.00 hours per month based on 100% FTE position and will be prorated accordingly if less than 100% FTE. Annual personal leave entitlement varies depending on employee type. Full-time classified, administrators, and professional staff are paid for all federal holidays.
Full-time faculty receive 84.00 hours of paid sick leave per academic year along with 28.00 hours of personal leave. Full-time faculty are paid on an annual contract and do not receive pay for federal holidays.
Part-time faculty receive sick leave each quarter using a formula based on the total FTE% from the cumulative teaching contracts issued to them that quarter. They would receive 7.00 hours of personal leave if they are issued a multi-quarter appointment at the start of the academic year. Part-time faculty do not receive pay for federal holidays.
Part-time hourly and student employees receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked in a month (and fractions, thereof). Up to 40 hours of sick leave can carry over from one calendar year to the next.
If a part-time hourly or student employee is hired into a full-time position, the sick leave hours earned in the part-time position do not carry over to the full-time position. Part-time hourly and student employees are not paid for federal holidays.
Monthly entitlements are given at the beginning of the following month.
All employees in salaried positions may take up to five days of paid bereavement time off for the death of a family member. This is separate from the sick leave or vacation leave.
RETIREMENT
Retirement participation is mandatory for retirement benefit eligible TCC employees. Employees are offered a choice between two retirement plans and that choice is generally irrevocable while employed at TCC.
Classified Employees and (retirement eligible) Part-Time hourly:
Faculty:
Faculty can choose to enroll in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) with the plan administrator being TIAA or the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 administered by the Department of Retirement System (DRS). Prior history in any of these plans may limit current plan choice.
Salary : $62,000 - $63,500