Credential and Assessment Evaluator (Program Specialist 3)

South Seattle College is looking to hire a Credential & Assessment Evaluator in the Enrollment Services.

Salary Range for this position is $$59,724.00 to $76,572.00 annually.

Application and required materials must be submitted no later than / Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin Friday, November 22nd. 

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Enrollment Services, the Credentials & Assessment Evaluator, or Program Specialist III, supports the work of the Credentials and Assessment team. This position is responsible for accurate data entry, as well as coordinating testing, assessment, placement data, and course enrollment requirements in ctcLink. Additionally, the role involves managing and updating student assessment options, system coding, and relevant documents and webpages. As a member of the Credentials and Assessment team, the Program Specialist III also evaluates incoming credits, transmits outgoing official transcripts, and assists with graduation conferrals. This position may support other Enrollment Services functions as needed to ensure smooth departmental operations.

This position is typically scheduled to work Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM, in alignment with the operational hours of the Student Services Division. The schedule may vary depending on program needs. May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed.  This position may work a hybrid schedule of both remote and on-site work.

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with representation by WFSE and subject to union shop provisions. 

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College, and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation. 

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including: 

• Competitive Pay Rates 
• Promotional Opportunities 
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans 
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave 
• Transportation benefits 
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan 
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume
• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants: 
Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

What you will be working on:

• Credentials & Evaluations & Graduation
• Evaluate incoming official transcripts from other colleges and universities. Use the automated process for institutions included in the course equivalency database in student management system (ctcLink). Hard copy, pdf, or transcripts not in the course equivalency database must be entered manually.
• Interpret and apply campus, state, federal, and other guidelines related to the awarding of credits, degrees, and certificates using sound judgment and critical thinking skills. Make decisions and take responsibility for them based on thorough research and analysis.
• Research transfer courses from community colleges, technical colleges and baccalaureate institutions and determine accreditation of transfer institutions while interpreting a wide variety of grading scales and assorted academic calendars.
• Discern if transfer courses are equivalent to Seattle College courses, and if not, how credits will used towards their degrees and certificates, in alignment with guidelines.
• Determines applicant's level of education; determines accreditation of institution attended; interprets grades awarded on a wide variety of grading scales for credit evaluations
• Work in partnership with campus stakeholders and outside institutions on best transcript evaluation practices, making the process clear for students.
• Review and certify transcripts and permanent records for accuracy, grade changes, repeats and credits; interpret applicable admissions and records policies and apply them in a variety of procedural situations.
• Review and confer graduates. 
•  
• Transcripts
• Process outgoing transcript requests and degree verifications through the National Student Clearinghouse in a timely manner and according to established guidelines and procedures.
• Technical/Coding  Requirements
• Run academic advisement reports for use in evaluation processing and degree completion and to assist students in determining needed classes for graduation when appropriate.
• Assist in the maintenance and updating of Academic Advisement Reports and/or other degree systems, webpages, and other public-facing information and resources.
• Configure and maintain the enrollment requirement and placement systems in PeopleSoft quarterly to ensure students can enroll in the appropriate level courses. 
• Update and maintain student management system (ctcLink) and other databases and modify as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, graduation records, transcript records, converting student records into ctcLink from historical records, academic advisement report program requirements, career and technical education (CTE) dual credit and academic credit for prior learning (ACPL).
• Enrollment Services / Customer Service
• Update and train campus stakeholders on procedural changes related to scope of work.
• Provide exceptional customer service via email, phone, video calls and in-person for students, staff, and faculty inquiries. 
• Maintain the Credentials, Transcripts, and Student Assessment Services website and all communication materials and channels about student placement and enrollment requirements. 
• Collaborate with staff and faculty in projects to improve retention and reengagement through the lens of academic placement and use of placement services. 
• Use student management system (ctcLink) and academic advising reports to collect data on transcript conversion, data entry, retrieve data, transcript review and printing, external transcript review, and to collaborate with instructional offices regarding college catalog data.
• Respond to inquiries regarding institutional incoming course transfer policies and procedures via phone, fax, e-mail, or in person to inform prospective students of institution application process and accept or reject courses from other institutions via electronic transfer.
• Utilize and development of tools to communicate with students about transcripts and graduation. Generate reports and maintain a variety of records, files and databases regarding numbers, pre-requisites, transfer credit evaluations, student profiles and transfer colleges attended for reporting purposes
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA and uphold the integrity of student records in our online document database system, OnBase. 
• Other duties as assigned that pertain to the outlined responsibilities.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: 

• Bachelor's degree in any field
• 2 or more years of work experience in an Institution of Higher Education
• Demonstrated experience fostering positive interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Confidence in communicating effectively with individuals at all organizational levels
• Proven ability to handle challenging situations and manage uncooperative individuals successfully
• Strong verbal and written communication skills across various platforms (in person, email, phone, and written correspondence)
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to organize, archive, access, assemble, analyze, and summarize data to create reports and documents using Microsoft Tools

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

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

Office Setting:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants: 

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings 

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement 

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled 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. In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, the Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of bullying behaviors, including cyberbullying.

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the Director of Legal Compliance.

Background Check Statement 

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. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.