Credentials Evaluator (Program Specialist 3) Contract

Salary: $4,740.00 – $6,227.00 Monthly

Location: Mount Vernon, WA

Job Number: C24-044

Opening Date: 11/13/2024

Position Summary

The Opportunity: The Credentials Evaluator works with students and staff to complete transcript evaluations for incoming transfer students as well as SVC students who have applied to graduate. They work with the Transcript Clerk to track and receive incoming credentials including transcripts, standardized test results, and prior learning requests. This position also has primary responsibility for designing, implementing, and managing SVC’s auto-award procedures.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People’s, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration,
 and Compassion.
 
About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor’s degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC’s Vision statement; “Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.” SVC’s commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.
 
SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services.  Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply. Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Evaluate transcripts for incoming transfer students and graduating SVC students

• Monitor the transcript evaluation tracking spreadsheet in collaboration with the Transcript Clerk to determine which evaluations should be completed;
• Determine which degree plan a student is pursuing at SVC in to determine which credits should be transferred to SVC;
• Enter transfer courses into the student management system;
• Use web-based transfer equivalency software to determine SVC equivalent courses for transfer;
• Communicate via email with faculty regarding less common and subject-specific transfer courses in order to determine equivalencies;
• Post transfer credits to student record;
• Notify students of credits transferred to SVC;
• Record completion of evaluation in customer relationship management program;
• Enter course equivalencies in student management system to improve future evaluation efficiency.

Post student degrees, certificates, and diplomas at the conclusion of each quarter

• Manage the graduation application program in collaboration with the Enrollment Services Specialist and other Credentials Evaluator(s) to determine which students have applied to graduate;
• Run academic advisement reports in ctcLink to determine which students have or haven’t met the requirements for their degree plan;
• If students have not met requirements for their degree plan, research potential waivers and substitutions in coordination with other staff and the students;
• Post degrees, certificates, and diplomas for students who have met the requirements;
• Record the outcome in the graduation application program;
• Notify students regarding the outcome of their graduation application;
• Cross-train with and assist the other evaluator(s) with developing and maintaining academic advisement reports.

Act as the lead auto-award specialist

• Design, implement, and manage procedures to automatically award certificates to students who do not apply to graduate;
• Consult with SBCTC and other SBCTC schools to analyze, design, and review procedures to identify students who have completed requirements for certificates but have not applied to graduate;
• Implement procedures to automatically award certificates and notify students.

Order or reorder diplomas for students who have had their degrees, certificates, or diplomas posted

• In coordination with the other credential evaluator(s), prepare order spreadsheets and proofread student information;
• Submit order to Parchment Diploma Services;
• Monitor Parchment for diploma reorder requests and process in a timely manner.

Communicate with students and staff across the entire college

• Monitor the evaluation department email accounts and respond daily;
• Monitor personal email account and other communication systems in order to respond to students and staff;
• Attend departmental or committee meetings as needed or assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher;

• One (1) year of experience with credentials evaluation, advising, admissions, enrollment, or related experience.

OR

• Associate’s degree or equivalent;

• Two (2) years of experience with credentials evaluation, advising, admissions, enrollment, or related experience.

OR

• An equivalent combination of higher education, training, and applicable work experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multilingual in English and Spanish, including ability to read, write, and speak in Spanish at an advanced/fluent speaker level;

• Experience working in a community college setting;

• Experience working in a public or academic environment serving the public;

• PeopleSoft (preferably ctcLink) knowledge/experience;

• Strong attention to detail and organization.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure

• Salary is based on Range 53, Step A, $4,740 per month with periodic increments to $6,227 per month. Salary placement is typically made at the starting salary for the range. Placement higher in the range may be considered for qualifications and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements. 
• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
• Retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.4

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after December 6, 2024.  Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.
 
Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. 

Application Procedure:
To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
  • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
  • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume)
  • A cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, 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.

• 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 Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students. 
• If hired you will be required 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.  
• This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association, WPEA.

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.  SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date.  Information on SVC’s Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.
 
For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.
 
SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.  We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October.  All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at: https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/
 
Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. 

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.