Student Success Specialist presso Renton Technical College

About the Department

Are you interested in supporting a team that helps students navigate their educational goals? If so, Renton Technical College is the place for you! As a  Student Success Specialist, you will assist enrolled and prospective students in the development of meaningful educational and career goals. This position provides advising and career exploration services to new and prospective career/technical students, as well as transfer students. The Student Success Specialist also advises a small population of international students through their entry process into the institution, offering guidance on matters related to immigration status. This includes, but is not limited to various categories of visa regulations, legal employment, and career consideration for different disciplines. This role requires familiarity in all instructional programs and the ability to take leadership responsibilities in entry advising, career training, transfer degrees, university admissions requirements, and workshop development and facilitation.

This position is a full-time, classified, and overtime eligible position within the Student Success Center, reporting directly to the Director of Entry Services. This position is represented by the Renton Professional Technical Association (Prof-Tech) union at RTC. The salary range for this position is $65,673 - $84,489 annually. New hires may not be placed above step 10 ($80,573 annually). For more information regarding employee benefits, please visit our benefits page or the Prof-Tech Collective Bargaining Agreement .The priority consideration date for this position is October 27, 2025.

Renton Technical College, located southeast of Seattle, has provided quality education in a variety of occupations for over 75 years. Our professional-technical certificate and degree programs offer entry and mid-level training in the areas of allied health, trades and industry, culinary, business, technology, and automotive. Our outstanding college & career pathways program with classes in adult basic education, English as a second language, and GED preparation is available to those who need additional preparation before entering a training program and for those who simply wish to improve their math and English skills. Career Education and apprenticeships degrees round out our offerings.

Position Duties

Advising:

• Advise prospective and enrolled students regarding academic and career training, admission procedures, college policies and procedures, degree and transfer requirements, and assist in course selection. 
• Maintain a clear understanding of all college programs, requirements, and eligibility. Assist students in clarifying educational, career, and life goals.
• Advise international students on federal visa and immigration regulations. 
• Identify trends and best practices through literature review, research, campus visitations, and professional development opportunities. 
• Follow and maintain compliance with FERPA regulations regarding any student educational records.

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate with RTC staff and faculty to develop and implement innovative advising activities. 
• Identify, collaborate, develop, implement, and oversee support services related to programs as the needs of our students and community change. 
• Make referrals to appropriate resources necessary for student success.

Departmental Functions

• Participate in college and community meetings, including outreach events as needed. 
• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and ensure ongoing compliance with SEVIS regulations.
• Support the mission and goals of the department and institution. 
• Coach, mentor, and train staff as necessary. 
• Approach conflict-resolution in an open and professional manner.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with persons from diverse backgrounds such as sexual orientation, racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, socio-economic, physical and learning abilities, and a commitment to an inclusive an equitable working/learning environment. 
• Two or more years of professional experience in educational/career planning providing service to high school and/or college students (preferably in the community or technical college environment).
• Bachelor's Degree in education, social services, academic counseling, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. A combination of relevant education and work experiences of two years may be substituted for the educational requirement. 
• Understanding of federal visa and immigration regulations is preferred.
• An understanding of and commitment to the educational role and philosophy of a technical college is preferred. 
• Excellent leadership and ability to communicate clearly and professionally through both verbal and written skills. 
• Exceptional customer services skills with a high priority on professional excellence. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, think critically, and exercise independent judgment.
• Proficient knowledge of remote learning platforms and Microsoft Office, specifically experience creating & editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Previous success in learning new computer software programs/platforms is required.
• Strong attention to detail and experience maintaining accurate records, managing multiple tasks, and organizing work in order to meet changing priorities and deadlines. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, parents, staff, community partners and the general public.
• Ability to represent the college in a positive and professional manner, while using tact, discretion and courtesy. 
• Ability to speak a regionally top spoken language other than English is preferred (Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, and Chinese). 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Applicant must be US citizen or permanent resident in order to serve as the Designated School Official (DSO) for international students.  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Working hours are generally aligned to business hours, Monday – Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Work is mostly sedentary in nature, performed in an office environment. Frequent use of a computer and exposure to terminal screens is required. Work and meetings may take place across campus. May drive/travel to trainings, conferences, and/or college events. This is mostly an in-person/on-campus position; remote work may occur as business permits.

Other Qualifications

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 Renton Technical College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.

The person hired is required to provide authorization for employment in the United States. All offers of employment are contingent to background checks, including employment and required degree/credential verification. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform successfully in the position. Finalists are required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080. Post offer, pre-employment criminal background checks are also required.

For questions regarding this position contact [email protected].

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Applicants with disabilities who need assistance in the recruitment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Call or email Kendra Van Beek in the Human Resources Department at (425) 235-7874 or [email protected] for additional assistance.

EEO STATEMENT: Renton Technical College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and 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 veterans 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 Re-authorization Act and Washington State Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. The following college official has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX / EEO Coordinator, Vice President of Human Resources 3000 NE 4th Street Renton, WA 98056 (425)235-7873, [email protected].     

Jeanne Clery statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: In compliance with Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Renton Technical College reports the mandate information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Renton Technical College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at: https://rtc.edu/about-rtc/campus-resources/campus-security/annual-security-report.phpFor information on how to access the RTC Daily Crime Log follow this link:https://rtc.edu/about-rtc/campus-resources/campus-security/daily-crime-log.php

We acknowledge that RTC sits uninvited on the ancestral land of the Puget Salish people, including the Duwamish, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot Nations.  We are grateful to the original inhabitants of this land, upon which we gather and dialogue. We also acknowledge our increasingly virtual world, in which RTC’s work is done across multiple indigenous lands, in some cases, away from Puget Salish territories. We thank the original caretakers of our local lands and waters, who are still here.      

Beyond acknowledgment, we each have an obligation to learn about and support our local tribes. Find out how on our resources page, which includes scholarships for Indigenous students.

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