AFT , Career and Academic Advisor

Join to apply for the AFT Staff, Career and Academic Advisor role at Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..edu

Whatcom's campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County.

To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://.org

Whatcom Community College welcomes applications for a Career and Academic Advisor. The Career and Academic Advisor supports the educational access and success of Whatcom Community College (WCC) students from diverse backgrounds pursuing certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees in fields related to technology and law. Reporting to the Associate Director for Academic Advising and Career Services, the advisor is responsible for providing comprehensive entry, progression, and completion support to students through culturally responsive, strengths-based academic advising, career exploration, college navigation, success coaching, and campus engagement opportunities.

The advisor employs proactive strategies to foster connection, regular communication, and timely holistic support, including referrals to relevant campus and community resources. The advisor also supports undecided students in exploring potential programs of study and students with identified programs outside of their identified areas of specialty, as needed.

• Engage in strategic enrollment, pathway, and advising high-impact practices that effectively support diverse learners.
• Collaborate with colleagues to advance comprehensive, proactive advising practices.
• Strengthen outreach, re-engagement, retention, and completion experiences in technology and law.

• Support the development and implementation of student transition, advising, and pathway programming for prospective, new, continuing, and returning students.
• Contribute to the integration of a strengths‑based, culturally responsive approach to serving WCC's diverse student population.
• Provide group and individual career and academic advising sessions, student engagement opportunities, and high‑impact practices in person, online, and via phone. Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required.
• Explore academic and career goals and personal strengths with students to identify individualized strategies for success.
• Connect students with employment and transfer resources and opportunities.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to continuously improve processes and student experiences related to career and academic advising, guided pathways, college transition and navigation, campus resources, and student engagement.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships across the campus community in support of career and academic advising and completion strategies.
• Provide direct student support in Orca Central (one‑stop center) and the virtual front desk, as needed.
• Represent the College at professional meetings and serve on committees, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned and/or delegated by the Director or Associate Director for Academic Advising and Career Services.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in a diverse environment, inclusive of people of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender/sexuality, and ethnic backgrounds and identities.

• Master's degree in student affairs administration,…