Undocumented Student Advocacy Specialist

Description

CBC seeks an Undocumented Student Advocacy Specialist to advance the academic success and holistic thriving of diverse undocumented, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and mixed-status families' students. This position will facilitate regular student communication, outreach and community involvement, professional development, communication regarding improvement to university policies and practices, and have an understanding of state and national legislation that affect this population. Under the supervision and direction of the Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Undocumented Student Advocacy Specialist will provide support and guidance to students, staff and faculty through trainings, collaborations, and programming to create an empowering, equitable, and supportive culture for our undocumented communities at CBC. We seek a caring and collaborative leader with strong communication skills and a proven commitment to serving undocumented students and communities. This position reports to the Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

We encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, queer and trans spectrum people, veterans, and other candidates whose identities and experiences are often underrepresented and marginalized in higher education.

This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by August 26, 2023 @ 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

If you have questions or need assistance during the application or search process, please contact the recruiter for this position, Ashley Jordan at ajordan@columbiabasin.edu or (509) 542-4567.

Primary Responsibilities

Student Support

• Engage in direct outreach and advocacy to build a sense of community among current and prospective students of the undocumented community;
• Compile and disseminate internal and external resources for undocumented students and communities; and
• Monitor student progress toward graduation and concerns while maintaining strict confidentiality of student education records including immigration status.

Community Support

• Act as the point of contact between local school districts and other community partners and CBC in regard to information about current and prospective students from the undocumented community; and
• Stay current on federal and state legislation, efforts of peer institutions, and other resources regarding the undocumented community.
  

Leadership and Staff & Faculty Support

• Research and share best practices with faculty, staff and administrators to support students from undocumented communities in succeeding academically and recommend changes and training needed within departments to enhance efficiency and services;
• Collaborate in creating and updating processes, documentation, forms and publications as they relate to the services provided to undocumented students; and
• Lead monthly meetings for the Undocumented Student Task Force and recommend changes and training needed within departments to enhance efficiency and services.
  

Communication

• Exercise independent judgement, communicate and interact successfully with students, staff, faculty, and community members;
• Attend meetings and conferences as an Undocumented Student Task Force Representative;
• Monitor and post information on CBC’s Undocumented Students webpage and collaborate with Marketing Team to develop advertising and resource materials; and
• Regularly check voicemail, email, and social media to ensure speedy communication.

And,

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a Social Sciences, Human Services Education, or related field; and
• One (1) year of relevant work experience in student affairs, student services, or higher education.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Human Services Education, or related field from an institutionally accredited college or university; and
• Two (2) years of relevant work experience in student affairs, student services, or higher education.

OR

• Equivalent combination of education and professional work experience.

AND

• Bilingual and biliterate in English and in Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the experience, needs, and potential of undocumented students and communities;
• Demonstrated success providing culturally responsive advising services to undocumented and BIPOC students; and
• Demonstrated strong understanding of the history, policies, and current issues impacting students who are undocumented and who come from undocumented communities.

COMPETENCIES:
Accuracy : Monitor accuracy of own work; recognize and corrects errors; maintain accurate records; accomplish tasks thoroughly through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small;

Analytical Skills : Synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; identify data relationships and dependencies; design workflows and procedures;

Resourceful & Entrepreneurial : Consistently focus on end results and find most effective way to achieve goals and objectives; act on opportunities; take calculated risks; generate non-routine, non-traditional actions to overcome obstacles and achieve results;

Attitude Toward Progress & Change : Cooperate and support change and new processes; acceptance and quality performance throughout change;

Willingness to Learn: Open to learning new methods, obtaining certifications, attending training; participate in cross-training opportunities when assigned; suggest and/or researches new methods; proactively look for training opportunities that would better the position and/or department;

Oral & Written Communication : Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; review and edit written work constructively; ability to tailor to audience in mind;

Student Centered : Attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students; create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals; provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department;

Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion : Reflecting CBC's mission, vision and values, support initiatives that expand the human qualities that differentiate our workplace and educational setting. Demonstrate and advocate an understanding of differences, open mindedness, compassion, sensitivity and interest in differing viewpoints given the diverse population and show a deep commitment to the involvement of colleagues, students and community members to student experience and success honoring freedom of expression as fundamental to personal, professional and organizational growth;

Accountability : Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate; accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities; and

Teamwork : Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors; demonstrate alignment with the 'Yes And' culture, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a full-time, overtime eligible, exempt position. The typical work hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, must be available to work a flexible schedule when prior notice is given by the College.



PROCESS NOTE:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Columbia Basin College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.

If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

Columbia Basin College operates under an approved affirmative action plan and encourages applications from persons of color, women, veterans and persons of disability. The Human Resources Office is accessible to those with disabilities. If you need accommodation in application or employment, contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 542-4740.

OTHER JOB ELEMENTS:


The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Work environment includes usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.