Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

Our office fosters student learning and development by supporting new students and family members in their transition to the academic, personal, and social experience of WWU.

The Orientation Navigator provides orientation and onboarding resource navigation and development for new students and families throughout the orientation process at Western. The Orientation Navigator is positioned to develop, support, and implement outreach initiatives and communications that align with strategic enrollment and retention goals. The position works collaboratively with on and off campus partners to directly support new students and their family members in the academic, personal and social transition into Western Washington University.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

60% - Coaching, Advising and Resource Navigation

• Serve as a support and coach for new students and families as they navigate required and recommended tasks, processes, and activities as part of the orientation and onboarding process in their academic, personal, and social transition into the University community.
• Collaborate with key university and community stakeholders to develop and curate integral resources for the successful transition of new students and families into the University community, including, but not limited to, those themed around financial aid, academic success, career development, health and wellness, safety, and basic needs.
• Host office hours via in-person and/or virtual/online platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams) where students and families may receive coaching and advising, onboarding information, and referrals to better understand and effectively use University and local services and resources.
• Receive referrals from other departments to provide coaching and advising for new students and families.
• Serve as a point of contact for new students to provide detailed individualized support and referrals.
• Perform outreach activities (e.g. mailings, phone calls, email, presentations, etc.) to prospective and new students and families as directed by the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and/or the Program Director in support of recruitment, enrollment, and retention goals.
• Serve as a content contributor and production lead in the collaborative development of online/virtual orientation and onboarding resources for new students and families.
• Design and develop marketing and outreach plans for departmental resources, services, and events in collaboration with Enrollment Management Unit and other campus partners.
• Consult and collaborate regularly with University partners to ensure effective resource referral and to stay up-to-date with current events, services, resources, and staffing that support the orientation and onboarding process.
• Conduct Peer Institution Reviews to identify trends, opportunities, and resources to support the new student and family orientation and onboarding process.
• Represent the department at campus events and fairs (information tables, presentations, meetings, events, etc.) as directed by the Program Director.
• Update student records regarding orientation-related activities in accordance with university policy.
• Manage all confidential student records and information in accordance with university policy and applicable state and federal laws.
• Foster an environment in which diversity and inclusivity are valued and promoted in NSSFO’s services, initiatives, and events.
• Develop budget for resources, initiatives, technology, or events as requested by Program Director.
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with on and off campus partners and audiences served.
• Complete additional duties as assigned to meet departmental and university needs.

20% - Publications, Communications and Promotional Materials

• Collaborate with campus partners to develop content for publications, communications, and marketing resources for new students and family members, including the WWU Family Calendar and WWU Family Connection monthly e-newsletter.
• Coordinate timelines for project development, printing/posting, and distribution with campus partners; maintain publication and communication timelines for projects.
• Establish and maintain a working knowledge of online platforms and production templates to support communication and outreach efforts as needed (e.g. Drupal, InDesign, etc.)
• Assist in the identification and development of promotional and informational materials for outreach initiatives, orientation mailers, and events for new students and families (e.g. handbills, postcards, WWU-identity.
• Maintain knowledge of University branding, marketing, visual identity, and accessibility guidelines and resources; consult with University Marketing and University Communications teams as needed.
• Assist in the production and assembly of quarterly mailers for new students and families with orientation and onboarding materials.
• Contribute to departmental website content development.

10% - Assessment Planning, Reporting & Analytics

• Assist in the design and execution of ongoing evaluation and assessment of programs and service delivery efforts; collaborate with campus partners for content as needed.
• Keep abreast of national trends and emerging issues pertinent to new student and family orientation, transition, and retention; identify new opportunities and creative strategies for supporting the success of new students and families; use strategies for overall program and resource improvement.
• Perform functions related to on-going assessment of NSSFO-affiliated activities, including preparing reports as requested; participate in assessment-related evaluations (e.g. CAS Reviews, Annual Reports).
• Design assessment surveys, compile data, and generate summary reports as needed or requested.

5% - Special Programs and Projects

• In coordination with the NSSFO Program Director and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management’s office, lead special projects, initiatives, and programs related to the orientation, onboarding and transition of new students and families to the University community.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Participate in general office activities, planning efforts, budget development, professional development, staff meetings, telephone and written correspondence, and related tasks.
• Participate in/Serve on university committees as requested or approved by the Program Director.

• A bachelor's degree in a Human Services, Student Services/Higher Education, Education, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3 or more years of professional work experience within an educational setting, human services, or similar.
• Demonstrated knowledge of college student development and/or human development theory, and transition issues related to new students and family members in a university setting.
• Demonstrated experience with public speaking, presenting information to the public, and/or facilitating small groups.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Proven ability to work well under pressure on multiple projects and meet deadlines with limited supervision.

• A master’s degree in a Human Services, Student Services/Higher Education, Education, or related field.
• 3 or more years of relevant professional work experience on a college/university campus working directly with students and/or families.
• Professional work experience related to an orientation and onboarding context, preferably in a higher education or similar setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of resources and services that commonly support new student and family orientation and transition into a university.
• Experience with planning and leading small- and large-scale events and/or workshops.
• Experience with the design and development of quality and detailed publications, marketing resources, correspondence, and similar materials.
• Experience successfully working with, supervising, and/or training student employees.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Proficiency with creative platforms (e.g. InDesign, Drupal, Adobe InDesign)
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references. References will only be contacted if necessary, with notice provided beforehand.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.