DESCRIPTION

Starting salary for this position is: $61,737 (Annually).

The salary range represents the earning potential for this position, through training, evaluations and years spent working in this position with CCS.

Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) District Equity Statement

CCS believes that access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment is the right of all individuals and imperative for the continued advancement of a strong democracy and workforce. We also believe higher education institutions have an obligation to work toward and demonstrate progress in ensuring equity amongst their students, faculty, and staff. Equity is grounded in the principle of fairness. In higher education, equity refers to ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience.

Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) is a beautiful campus located in the inland Pacific Northwest, on the ancestral home of the Spokane Tribe, near the Spokane River. Our campus is not far from the urban center of Spokane, a mid-sized city with a high quality of life and quick access to the outdoors. See our website for more information about living and working in Spokane.

SFCC is one of two accredited community colleges that comprise the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS). Serving about 6,000 students, SFCC endeavors to be an educational leader and a responsive partner with the community and region, offering access to relevant programs of the highest quality. We offer a large liberal arts/transfer program (approximately 75% of total enrollment) as well as state-of-the-art professional technical programs (about 25%). In addition to serving the urban and suburban population in greater Spokane, CCS provides educational services to rural communities throughout a 12,302 square mile region in Eastern Washington. This region includes all of Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, Ferry, and Pend Oreille Counties as well as portions of Lincoln County.

SFCC’s mission is to provide all students with an excellent education that transforms lives and expands their opportunities.

Please be aware that this recruitment closes at 4:00 p.m. PST. The application process will not be available after this time. To ensure consideration make sure your application is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Applications will only be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. on the closing date.

The Community Colleges of Spokane is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of MESA Director in the Computing, Math and Science Division at Spokane Falls Community College.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Spokane Falls Community College’s MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) serves as primary coordinator and overseer of activities funded or sponsored by the MESA program and/or for the benefit of MESA students, including the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, STEM education, and STEM programs to students of color and students of populations underrepresented in STEM fields; the recruitment and retention of those students; and collaborating with the STEM pathway team to facilitate success, persistence, completion and transfer to baccalaureate programs of those students.

The Director of the MESA program is charged with supporting the institution to achieve the above objectives. This position reports to the Dean of Computing, Mathematics and Science.

Launched more than 40-years ago, Washington MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is one of the 11 “MESA States” in the national MESA USA network. MESA is nationally recognized for its innovative and effective academic development program. MESA engages thousands of educationally disadvantaged students, so they excel in math and science and graduate with STEM degrees. MESA partners with all segments of higher education as well as 6-12 institutions.

As a statewide organization, WA MESA is committed to building pathways to careers in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) for traditionally underrepresented minority (URM) students, including women, Native Americans/Alaska Natives, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. WA MESA supports six (6) regional MESA College Preparation Centers (6-12) geographically placed throughout the state of Washington to coordinate and deliver STEM-focused programs and services to middle and high school students. In partnership with the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Transfer Preparation Community College Programs (Transfer Prep) are housed within twelve (12) of the 34 community colleges in Washington. Through high-impact services and programming, Transfer Prep Centers seek to accelerate the number of historically underrepresented community college students on their STEM career pathway. SFCC serves as one of the twelve Transfer Preparation programs in Washington State.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program representative

• Provide leadership and coordination of the MESA program, including training of other MESA personnel. *
• Serve as a member of the STEM Pathway in a role that intertwines the goals of MESA with the essential practices of Guided Pathways. *
• Serve as a resource for MESA students, directing them to appropriate resources for tutoring, financial aid, advising, counseling and other services. *
• Provide mentorship and coaching for MESA students with respect to STEM learning opportunities, careers, etc. *
• Attend and actively participate in state MESA Directors’ meetings and other activities (including occasional overnights) to ensure successful implementation of the MESA program in accordance with MESA statewide office guidelines and serve as primary contact for WA MESA at SFCC. *

Program planning

• Manage, plan, oversee, and track orientation activities, outreach activities, and STEM focused events for MESA students, including but not limited to resume and cover letter workshops, campus speakers, transfer campus visits, scholarship opportunities, award ceremonies and graduation celebrations. *
• Develop and implement quarterly programming that fulfills both the MESA mission and aligns with the college’s equity goals. *
• Collaborate with the Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion on projects that support the SFCC student population. *
• Collaborate with peers who oversee other student support programs on campus to develop, coordinate, and integrate activities, for example: Learning Support, Pathway Teams, Outreach, Counseling, and Concurrent Enrollment. *
• Develop and manage student-centered workshops in collaboration with STEM faculty and student leaders. *
• Develop and maintain a MESA business and industry advisory board. *
• Coordinate with faculty and the Dean on identifying and promoting research and internship opportunities for students. *
• Participate in Bigfoot Registration and STEM Pathway retention sessions. *
• Interface with other college services to create engaging materials promoting MESA activities and the MESA program for print and electronic distribution. *

Program reporting

• Manage MESA program budget under the supervision of the Dean. *
• Track and provide transfer data, success data for MESA students, and other relevant data pertaining to students in MESA activities as outlined by both the WA MESA and supervising dean. *
• Collaborate with the STEM Pathway to develop and maintain a transfer database.
• Report on and present MESA activities through written reports and oral presentations. *
• Appropriately analyze, summarize, and use data from Program Review to provide recommendations to the Dean for changes to programming. *

Program supervision

• Manage the MESA student center that fosters a welcoming atmosphere for academic purposes to ensure meeting the needs of MESA students and facilitates cohort formation. *
• Demonstrate cultural competencies required to work with students from broadly different cultural backgrounds. *
• Supervise work-study student employees (train, schedule, evaluate, discipline and respond to grievances). Adhere to all district rules and regulations. Inform and educate employees about behavior and performance expectations, provide timely and accurate feedback regarding performance, and ensure performance and behavioral problems are corrected promptly and effectively. *
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions. *
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements. *
• Support and advance the CCS strategic plan, and perform other duties as assigned. *

• Indicates this is an essential duty

COMPETENCIES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

COMPETENCIES

• 
  Manages Complexity: Experience making sense of complex, high-quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Decision Quality: Ability to make good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Action Oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans & Aligns: Plan and prioritize work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensures Accountability: Ability to hold self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness: Uses a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Self-Development: Actively seeks new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
• Experience in planning, organizing, and delivering academic support services.
• Experience in project management and program coordination or management.
• Experience working with undergraduate students.
• Familiarity with underrepresented populations in STEM field programs.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to speak in public and with students, community members, industry professionals, faculty and colleagues.
• Experience with databases and gathering and generating reports.
• Ability to work independently, assume responsibility, and take initiative in carrying out assignments.
• Ability to multi-task and perform under pressure and exercise adaptive and flexible problem solving skills in making appropriate changes.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters’ degree.
• Work experience in a STEM discipline.
• Experience in managing and facilitating the development and delivery of student support activities including workshops, speaker sessions, STEM days, etc.
• Experience in creating new initiatives to support, recruit and/or facilitate success of college students.
• Familiarity with the transfer process from a community college to a four-year institution.
• Demonstrated experience incorporating knowledge, awareness and skills that reflect multicultural, diversity, equity and inclusion competencies in academic settings.

CONDITIONS/TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

TOTAL COMPENSATION WITH BENEFITS: $83,295 - $92,127.

Total compensation is an estimate based upon adding the following amounts together:

• Base compensation of $61,737 - $69,790, plus
• Current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates, plus
  • Click here for a full list of benefits.
• Median retirement fund contributions.

The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Community Colleges of Spokane maintains a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.

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. Once an applicant is chosen for a position, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions.
• Work is sedentary.
• Work directly with students/clients.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Contracted 12-month position.
• This position is overtime eligible.
• May require local and regional travel.
• Criminal background check is required.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• CCS online application. *
• Cover letter addressing your qualifications relevant to the responsibilities of this position. *
• Resume. *
• References – the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references. *
• College transcript(s) if applicable - unofficial/copies of transcripts are acceptable for initial application, official copies must be submitted upon acceptance of job offer.

NOTE: All of the above are required to ensure your consideration for this position. The item(s) marked with an asterisk are required attachments to your application prior to submission.

If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at CCS.recruiter@ccs.spokane.edu

Community Colleges of Spokane does not discriminate in its programs, activities and employment on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, parental status or families with children, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, honorably discharged veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with disability, genetic information or any other legally protected category.

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access and Title IX or ADA to:

Amy McCoy | Chief Compliance Officer
Title IX and ADA Coordinator
Community Colleges of Spokane
2917 W. Whistalks Way, MS 3027
Spokane, WA. 99224-5288
ccs.titleix@ccs.spokane.edu
509-279-6012

Direct all inquiries regarding equal opportunity compliance and/or grievances to:

Greg Stevens | Chief Strategy and Administration Officer
Community Colleges of Spokane
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040

Native Land Acknowledgement

We are honored to acknowledge that the Community Colleges of Spokane, and our main campuses for Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College, are located on the traditional and sacred homelands of the Spokane Tribe. We also provide services in a region that includes the traditional and sacred homelands of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Kalispel Tribe and Nez Perce Tribe.

We pay our respect to tribal elders both past and present as well as to all Indigenous people today. This land holds their cultural DNA, and we are honored and grateful to be here on their traditional lands. We give thanks to the legacy of the original people and their descendants and pledge to honor their stewardship and values.