About this role

Position Summary

The Navigator is one of the first college representatives prospective students meet and will continue to interact with throughout their time at Blue Mountain Community College. This position serves as a primary point of contact and assists students with admissions, placement, program exploration, and first-term course selection while helping students understand College processes and available resources.

The Navigator identifies student needs and potential barriers, provides individualized follow-ups, and connects students with appropriate academic and support services through referrals and warm handoffs. The position works with faculty, staff, and other College departments to support student enrollment, engagement, and persistence.

The Navigator is a team member of the Recruitment & Retention Department and participates in recruitment, outreach, and student life activities. The Navigator maintains current knowledge of BMCC programs and services and applies established College policies and procedures.

The position serves students through inclusive practices and performs its responsibilities in alignment with the BMCC Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Recruitment and Enrollment

Provides information to prospective and new students about BMCC programs, courses, admissions steps, financial aid and scholarship resources, and available support services; refers specialized questions to the appropriate office.

Helps students identify educational goals, explore programs, and understand requirements and next steps.

Contacts students through email, phone, and in-person meetings to assist with admissions, enrollment, and first-term registration.

Assists the Recruitment and Retention team by attending outreach activities and events throughout the service district as needed. Events sometimes require out-of-district travel.

Assists the team with the development and implementation of recruitment strategies.

Works with the Director to interpret College policies and procedures.

Actively participates in the implementation of enrollment strategies as defined in the recruitment plan.

Intake

Provides guidance to students on the use of Canvas, WolfWeb, and other appropriate resources and technologies used to schedule classes, track program requirements, and support their coursework.

Provides referrals to the Colleges Testing Center and guidance through the Colleges placement testing process. Interpret results and advise as related to course and program selection.

Refers students to appropriate resources for assistance with financial aid, disability services, academic and personal issues, and other college related concerns.

Provides students with goal-oriented guidance, steps to success, and assists students in setting education goals and milestones while mitigating challenges.

Utilizes administrative software to track prospects, enroll students, and provide advisement.

Provides course advisement to new students and ensures that they are registered for program related classes.

Retention

Monitors and tracks student progress and provides outreach to retain students and facilitate completion.

Provides one-on-one coaching related to academic success and career development with students.

Uses academic early alert reporting systems to view students performance and academic progress risk, thus identifying and providing timely interventions for those students in need.

Assists students with strategies and plans to improve grades, coaching them through barriers.

Practices proactive advising and facilitates follow-up sessions and feedback.

Assists students with transfer planning, and connections to career or industry resources by providing information and appropriate referrals.

Participates in data and process reviews to determine support needs for engagement and retention, including working with students to reengage, maintain learning, and on-time graduation.

General Duties

Maintains sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, ability, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds.

Participates in continuous development of cultural competency to support effective relationships and the ability to design systems that are equitable.

Submits reports as requested by the Director.

Participates in training activities as needed. May be required to attend professional development activities out-of-district.

Maintains appropriate documentation as related to student interaction and advisement.

Participates in the following: Welcome to the Pack, Commencement, registration events, college/career events, and other events as assigned by the Director.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Individuals must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Knowledge

Understanding of comprehensive advising best practices.

Understanding of career, employment, and Veterans student support programming.

Strong knowledge of student support programs and the ability to make proper referrals.

Applies and adheres to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Skills

High level of self-motivation.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Work confidentially with individuals.

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications.

Abilities

Uses motivational interviewing to determine the personal and professional goals of students, identifying potential challenges, and provide referrals to appropriate programs and services.

Function as a contributing member of an overall team.

Develop effective relationships with a wide variety of constituencies, including prospective students, their families, faculty, staff as well as business, industry, and community partners.

Work cooperatively and collaboratively

Conduct oneself in a professional manner and always exhibit a positive image for BMCC.

Handle confidential student information with tact, discretion, and in compliance with FERPA regulations.

Meet deadlines and with attention to detail.

Assess student need and discern the best course of action.

Work a flexible schedule to include evening and weekend assignments.

Travel to out-of-area as needed.

Ability to work in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment with students, faculty, and staff.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelors degree

At least one (1) year of related experience.

Experience working in a student services capacity within the post-secondary education environment, preferably admissions, advising, career coaching or outreach.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Other Aspects of this Position

Schedule will include travel to and communication with BMCC Centers and partner locations for student support services, program promotion, and recruitment purposes.

Travel to area high schools, college/career fairs, and attend meeting/trainings as required, valid drivers license required.

Qualifications