Program Specialist 3 – Indigenous Student Success Specialist - Office of yehaw (C)

Date of First Consideration: 3/15/2026
Applications received by the date of consideration will have priority in the review process, noting the position will remain open until a final hire is made in the event a return for review of late applications is needed.
Salary Range: $61,513 – $80,816/year, depending on years of experience   
Salary is set by WA Office of Financial Management and is not negotiable. Salary listed is inclusive of 5% King County Pay Premium. 
*Step M at $82,857 is attainable for those who have 6 consecutive years working in a WA State institution

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The Office of yehaw is leading efforts to increase student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and persistence, connecting with Tribal Nations and community partners to support students, redesigning institutional systems through a lens using targeted universalism and building community across departments to foster cultural accountability.

Under the general direction of the Director of Student Support Services, the Indigenous Student Success Specialist is responsible for increasing student retention, persistence, and completion rates for American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and Indigenous students from U.S. territories including America Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Working in consistent collaboration with various departments, the PS3 creates a learning community with data informed retention interventions while developing close relationships with tribal partners, tribal community organizations, and urban Native-serving organizations. The Indigenous Student Success Specialist will work with Shoreline College student recruitment efforts and assist with assigned recruitment opportunities on behalf of the college on and off campus that are in line with the mission of the Office of yehaw and the development of the assigned learning community.  In addition, the Indigenous Student Success Specialist will support, participate in and advocate for College shared governance, taskforces, and committees that require leadership and advocacy, along with supporting campus education around Indigenous history and decolonization. The Indigenous Student Success Specialist will co-create quarterly opportunities with Student Affairs and Academic Affairs that address program goals. This position will professionally and respectfully engage with the entire campus community and lead campus wide efforts to address systemic issues of access and retention. Under the direction of the Director of Student Support Services, the Indigenous Student Success Specialist will help with daily program operations, supervise assigned student peer navigators, and develop consistent activities that support academic success for historically marginalized students.

Primary responsibilities include the following: 

• Student Success & Retention: Create and implement evidence-based retention, persistence, and completion strategies specifically tailored for Indigenous and Native student populations.
• Data-Driven Advocacy: Monitor and track disaggregated student data using Starfish, CTClink, and internal systems to develop targeted interventions and quarterly progress reports.
• Cultural Leadership: Serve as the division lead for educational workshops and presentations on Indigenous history, sovereignty, decolonization, and ecological knowledge.
• Community Recruitment: Develop and execute annual community recruitment events and outreach initiatives in partnership with the College Recruitment office.
• Tribal Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for tribal education offices to facilitate student referrals and the administration of tribal education benefits.
• Holistic Student Support: Proactively engage with a dedicated student learning community through one-on-one appointments, triage support, and referrals to campus resources.
• Inclusive Programming: Support and develop quarterly programming for monthly cultural recognitions (e.g., Black History Month, Latine/x History Month) to promote campus-wide equity and inclusion.
• Sustainability Integration: Represent Indigenous perspectives on the Sustainability Council, ensuring traditional ecological knowledge is integrated into campus green initiatives.
• Daily Center Operations: Oversee daily operations of the Center, including the direction of student employees and interns, while maintaining social media and web presence.
• Campus Collaboration: Partner closely with Financial Aid, Advising, Student Life, and Outreach to streamline student services and address systemic barriers to access.
• Assessment & Evaluation: Design and manage assessment tools to evaluate program impact, incorporating student and tribal community feedback into service redesigns.
• Institutional Reporting: Prepare and present quarterly and annual reports detailing student outcomes for leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Fiscal Management: Develop and monitor assigned budgets for tribal liaison activities, ensuring responsible allocation of funds for staffing and operational needs.
• External Representation: Represent the Office of y?haw? at state boards, commissions, and professional organizations, attending all state-mandated tribal liaison training.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related area, AND
• Two (2) years of experience including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government, OR equivalent education and experience.

• Microsoft Office applications such as SharePoint, Excel, Outlook, and Word programs
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the application of it in student services. 
• Current literature and research related to retention, student support services to a variety of diverse audiences. 
• Student/learning-centered practices, programs/services that support student success and retention; student development theory and practice; service-learning programs and student advocacy. 
• Research via both the internet and web-based information systems; project planning and management
• Understanding of federal and state policies affecting tribal sovereignty and education. 
• State and system, tribal engagement practices (e.g., SBCTC Tribal Liaison Network).
• Problem solving, project planning and management, and time management. 
• Effective presentations to a variety of diverse audiences. Effective budgeting, program evaluation and data analysis
• Conflict mediation and resolution, remaining calm in stressful situations, and facilitating win-win situations
• Leadership experience in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. 

• Conceptualizing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs appropriate to a diverse population
• Adapting to changing department needs and conditions, exercising conflict management and active listening
• Representing the college in a positive and professional manner
• Maintaining confidentiality in a busy, open office environment
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members
• Providing effective customer/student service through active listening and clear written and oral intercultural communication
• Creative/innovative thinking and approaches to programs, services, and solutions to concerns/problems
• Problem solving, project planning and management, and time management. 
• Making effective presentations to a wide range of audiences
• Conflict mediation and resolution, remaining calm in stressful situations, and facilitating win-win situations
• Using sound independent judgment within policy and legal guidelines when handling sensitive situations
• Working both independently and within a team environment
• Practicing accountability, dependability, adaptability, and flexibility; ethics, integrity, self-management, tact, and diplomacy

Physical Work Environment: 
The College is currently providing services in a mixed modality of operations (both online and in-person services are offered). This position will perform work in a standard office setting, use standard office equipment and physically attend meetings both on and off campus. This position may require the ability to work weekends and/or evenings as needed. Please note, there may be limited opportunities for online work depending on program or area needs. If authorized for online work, employees will need to provide their own workspace and internet access, noting the College will provide technical equipment and support for online work needs.

Terms Of Employment/Salary: 
This position is allocated to pay range 53 under the Washington State Office of Financial Management higher education salary schedule. Salary placement for new employees is determined by the College. This position works 40 hours per week, with a schedule dependent upon department needs. Hiring of this position is contingent on available funding as determined by the College President.

To be considered for this position, please submit the following: 

• NEOGOV online profile, application, and supplemental question(s)
• Cover letter describing relevant knowledge, skills, and characteristics that align with the needs of the position 
• Current resume
• *Official transcript required upon hire*

• Once application materials have been submitted, you may not modify the application
• If you are chosen to move forward in this recruitment, you will be notified via email to the address listed in your application (make sure to check spam/junk folders)

Other Conditions: 

Shoreline College is committed to providing equal opportunity in education and employment for all students, employees, and applicants, and does not allow discrimination or harassment on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. For our full non-discrimination statement and contact information, visit: https://www.shoreline.edu/about-shoreline/non-discrimination.aspx.

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with the College. This includes, but is not limited to recruitment, application, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@shoreline.edu. 

In accordance with RCW 28B.112.080, 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 or past places of employment.

In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire. 

Shoreline College does not currently sponsor HB-1 visas. Other conditions that may apply will be detailed upon the offer of employment.

Applicants considered for positions at the College may be required to submit to a background check as a condition of employment. Adverse information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability for the position.

Faculty positions are represented by the American Federation of Teachers Local #1950.

Classified positions are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.