Classified, Program Coordinator, Orca Central

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu

About Our Community

Whatcoms campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, youll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, youll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://www.bellingham.org

General Description of Work

Position Title: Program Coordinator, Orca Central

Classification: WFSE Classified (Class Code 107N)

FTE: 1.0

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm with occasional prescheduled evenings or weekends as needed for special events.

FLSA Status: Overtime Eligible

Grant Funded: No

Job Summary

The Program Coordinator provides front-line customer service and coordinates access to information, programs, and services for students, families, campus partners, and visitors. The position supports the day-to-day operations of Orca Central and serves as a central resource for students navigating College processes and services, including Advising, Financial Aid, TRIO & Student Support Services, Transitional Learning programs, and Running Start. Responsibilities include responding to inquiries, providing information and referrals, coordinating appointments and drop-in services, assisting with student onboarding and applications, maintaining student and office information, and supporting outreach and communications. The Program Coordinator works collaboratively with campus departments to facilitate timely and effective access to College resources and services.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

• This position reports to the Associate Director for Orca Central Operations.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Serves as an initial and primary point of contact for Orca Central, providing responsive, professional, and inclusive front-line customer service to students, families, campus partners, and visitors.
• Answers in-person, telephone, email, and other inquiries; provides accurate information regarding College programs, services, processes, and resources; and makes appropriate referrals to campus and community resources.
• Assists new students with onboarding and navigation of College processes, services, and resources.
• Answers routine questions regarding enrollment status, financial aid status, student records, and related student services, referring complex or specialized questions to appropriate staff.
• Maintains and updates student information and related records in accordance with established procedures using systems including ctcLink, Navigate 360, Microsoft 365, and other College systems.
• Coordinates appointments and supports in-person and virtual drop-in services for departments represented in Orca Central, including Advising, Running Start, Financial Aid, and TRIO & Student Support Services.
• Provides administrative and operational support to departments serving students through Orca Central, including coordinating communications, facilitating referrals, and ensuring timely access to information and services.
• Provides information and assistance regarding Transitional Learning programs, including ESOL, Adult Basic Education, High School Completion, and General Education Development; assists students with application completion and routes completed materials to the appropriate Transitional Learning staff.
• Supports student outreach activities by coordinating, organizing, and leading campus tours and assisting with other outreach activities as needed.
• Develops and produces accessible word-processing documents, informational materials, publications, mailings, and other communications for office and campus use.
• Maintains and updates Orca Central-related web content in coordination with the Associate Director and appropriate College staff.
• Tracks office supplies and assists with inventory, purchasing, and ordering to support efficient day-to-day operations for Orca Central and Advising teams.
• Supports Orca Central leadership and other stakeholders with logistical planning and coordination for New Student Orientation, including attendee registration, event preparation, setup, and related pre-event activities.
• Participates in College, on-campus, and off-campus training and professional development activities to maintain and enhance knowledge of College programs, services, systems, and procedures.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of student services, higher education programs, enrollment processes, and resources sufficient to provide accurate information and appropriate referrals to students, families, and campus partners.

• Knowledge of office practices, procedures, and records management principles, including the handling of confidential student information.

• Skill in providing responsive, inclusive, and professional customer service to individuals with diverse backgrounds, needs, and levels of familiarity with college processes.

• Skill in using Microsoft Office applications, student information systems, and other technology to maintain records, communicate information, coordinate services, and complete administrative work; ability to learn and effectively use new systems and software.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups and to convey complex or unfamiliar information in an understandable manner.

• Ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple activities, requests, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and confidentiality.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment, analyze problems, identify appropriate solutions, and respond effectively to routine and difficult situations within established policies and procedures.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, community partners, and representatives of multiple college departments.

• Ability to facilitate groups, present information, conduct campus tours, and adapt communication and presentation approaches to meet the needs of different audiences.

• The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the Colleges mission, vision, and promise.

Working Conditions/Environment

• Work is performed in a standard indoor office environment with frequent interruptions, shifting priorities, and multiple deadlines. The position requires extended periods of sitting and computer use, along with frequent phone, email, and in-person interactions. Occasional movement throughout the office or campus may be required to coordinate logistics or deliver materials. Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds is required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of experience providing customer service, administrative support, program coordination, or student services in a college, educational, community, or similar setting

OR

• Equivalent combination education and experience sufficient for the person to perform the duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish, Ukrainian, Punjabi, Russian, Mandarin, American Sign Language or Unified English Braille).
• Experience working in higher education, student services, advising, financial aid, enrollment services, or a related student support program area.
• Experience supporting program coordination functions such as front desk operations, student intake and onboarding, scheduling, customer service, communications, data entry, records management, and referral to educational or community resources.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Licensure, Certification & Other Necessary Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review.
• Occasional travel to meetings, conferences and training sessions may be required.

Salary

Salary:

• This is a full-time, classified, WFSE (Washington Federation of State Employees) represented position. Salary is Range 41, starting at Step C, $3,917.00 per month with periodic increments to $4,866.00 per month.

Benefits Package:

• The position comes with a full benefit package, including health, dental, life, long-term disability insurance and a retirement plan.
• Accrues 8 hours per month of sick leave and 11.33 hours per month vacation leave with periodic vacation accrual increases based on longevity.
• 11 paid holidays annually.
• 1 personal holiday annually after 4 months of continuous employment.
• 3 personal leave days annually after 4 months of continuous employment.
• Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:
• Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
• Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.
• Full-time employees may qualify for Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit.

Start Date:

• As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.

Application Due Date:

• Applications are due by Monday, October 26th, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Current resume.
• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

Mission, Vision & Promise

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

Promise: We transform lives through education. We accomplish this by supporting student growth, respecting student investment, embracing diversity, promoting excellence and creating opportunities.

EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: hr@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: titleIX@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office by phone: 360.383.3139, email: ADS@whatcom.edu, or Washington Relay: 711