Resource Navigator

Grays Harbor College is now accepting applications for a full-time, grant funded Resource Navigator position within the Workforce Funding and Support Programs Department. This navigator will join a team of professionals who have a student-centered philosophy and provide wrap-around services to participating students to foster educational access and student success.  The navigator will work to engage students at Grays Harbor College to provide support and resources to meet their basic needs while attending school. This work includes providing intake, assessment, referrals and support in accessing educational, employment readiness, and financial and skill-building activities. In this role, the Resource Navigator will build resource and referral connections with external organizations that provide basic need sources and be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the College’s free and reduced meal program and hunger-free/basic needs strategic plan. This position reports to the Director of Workforce Funding and Support Programs.
 
The Workforce Department oversees the following grants: Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET), Early Achievers Grant, Free and Reduced Meal Program, Opportunity Grant, Student Emergency Assistance Grant, Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness Program, Work-First, and Worker Retraining. The purpose of offering these grants is to provide supportive services to income-eligible students who wish to obtain a Workforce Education Certificate or Degree and obtain employment. Services include funding educational expenses & supportive services, academic advising, and offering connections with additional community agencies.  The college continues to apply for each of the grants yearly. Funding for these positions are contingent on the continuation of grant offerings.

Grays Harbor College has an excellent benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, primary and supplemental retirement programs and long-term disability insurance. Full-time employees will also receive 15.34 hours of vacation leave per month, 8 hours of sick leave per month and 4 personal leave days a year.  Washington state also observes 11 paid holidays per year.  This position at Grays Harbor College has been designated as bargaining unit positions represented by the Grays Harbor College Federation of Teachers, Local 4984.  The union and the college have a collective bargaining agreement (referred to as the contract) that is posted on the GHC website at https://www.ghc.edu/hr/labor-relations
 
Work Location: The primary work location is the Main Campus in Aberdeen, with occasional travel to the Riverview Education Center in Raymond and Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco as directed.

About the College                                                                                                                 .
Grays Harbor College serves the communities of Grays Harbor and Pacific counties on the Pacific coast of Washington. Located in Aberdeen, Washington at the base of the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, the College is less than an hour away from scenic Pacific Ocean beaches and close to both the Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks. Grays Harbor provides the perfect landscape to enjoy the abundance of excellent outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, biking, fishing, clam digging, surfing, boating, and various kayak/canoe paddling opportunities.  For more information about working for the college and living in Grays Harbor visit https://www.ghc.edu/hr 
 
Grays Harbor is committed to providing excellent educational opportunities. We prioritize student learning, promote student and faculty success, foster an inclusive environment, manage our resources, and connect with the community. We strive to create a culturally relevant environment on campus and in the community by learning and practicing equity-mindedness and promoting faculty, staff, and student diversity.
 

• Support new students (and their families) as they navigate becoming a student at GHC, including the entry process, educational pathways and navigating student aid programs 
• Conduct outreach and recruitment that targets low-income and food-insecure students; 
• Provide follow-up and ongoing support to help students resolve financial, personal, and other emergencies related to food insecurity and campus and community resources. 
• Implement an intake process for students to apply for public benefits that includes appropriate assessment of eligibility and overview of educational, employment readiness, financial, or other skill-building needs.
• Serve as the program manager of the free and reduced meal pilot program 
• Participate in college wide efforts to support student access, persistence and completion as part of Guided Pathways, Adult Reengagement, and other initiatives
• Coordinate with college and community agencies to increase student access to basic needs including housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation resources. Serve as a liaison between community agencies and students and make appropriate referrals. 
• Collaborate with Student Services personnel to ensure successful, co-enrollment, and transitions with other student services areas and student support programs 
• Actively participate as a member of the statewide Benefits Navigator Cohort, including attending training and meetings
• Provide educational and career advising for students receiving basic needs support and others planning to enroll in GHC’s professional technical, basic skills, transfer and workforce programs. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the statewide and campus-specific Hunger-Free and Basic Needs Strategic Plan
• Support all students access to Basic Food assistance and the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program, and support the reduction of student food security 
• Participate and support in ongoing evaluation and revision efforts to ensure appropriate and effective support for prioritizing students' basic needs
• Participate in the development and implementation of campus programs addressing food and housing insecurity, including assisting with food pantry operations as needed 
• Assists with entry registration and drop-in advising during peak periods as needed 
• In collaboration with WSAC and the SBCTC support the implementation of a student survey that assesses food and housing security and access to basic economic supports. 
• Work with other Benefit Navigators and the SBCTC to enhance community partnerships to support students and increase options for individuals to meet their basic needs.
• Maintain student confidentiality and comply with FERPA regulations 
• Other Duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s Degree  
• Two years’ experience providing direct support services in a social services or educational setting 
• Strong organizational, written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use a computer and other current computer technologies as routine work tools and operate student information management software to assist students. 
• Understanding of, and experience with, successfully supporting individuals from varied and diverse backgrounds
• A valid driver's license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Ability to interview students and assess educational, personal and financial need 
• Experience in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with social services agencies’ and equivalent programs 
• Experience facilitating workshops, seminars and presentations 
• Budget and financial management experience
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) 

In addition to the GHC online Application you will need to submit the following materials. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered.     

• Letter of application addressing your qualifications for the position. 
• Resume 
• Contact information for 3 professional references.
• Transcripts of all college work completed. Unofficial copies are acceptable, official copies will be required at time of hire. 

Background checks - 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.  Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law.
 
 Grays Harbor College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State’s Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations.  The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
 - Title II/Section 504 - Darin Jones, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
 - Title IX Coordinator – Ashley Bowie-Gallegos, Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management
 
 For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.
Agency          Grays Harbor College, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, Aberdeen, Washington, 98520
Phone            (360) 538-4257
Website         https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ghc

Salary : $57,698