Student Services Navigator (5 positions) at InsideHigherEd

Join our Team at Portland Community College

Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full- and part-time students. PCC, which is roughly the size of Rhode Island, has four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. Wherever you're coming from and wherever you're going in life, Portland Community College has the classes and programs to get you there. Our unique role is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for our students and contributing to the economic development of our community.

Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority. We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. The more we value equity and inclusion, the more we will add value to the work we do and how we serve our students, engage with each other, and the Oregon Community that we serve. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.

Portland Community College will ensure that applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the hiring process are provided for. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the PCC Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected].

Please Note: PCC currently limits employment to individuals residing in Oregon and Washington.

The Student Services Navigation Centers are seeking a dynamic and student-focused individual to join our team as a Student Services Navigator. In this front-line, customer service-oriented role, you will serve as a one-stop resource for students and community members, providing exceptional support across multiple service modalities.

What You'll Do and Who We Are Looking For

As the first point of contact, you will play a critical role in welcoming and assisting individuals—whether they arrive with general questions, complex concerns, or are experiencing frustration. You will provide clear, compassionate guidance and accurate information, drawing on a strong working knowledge of key partner departments across the College. Navigators are expected to actively maintain this knowledge to ensure they can represent those areas effectively and offer timely, relevant support. When needed, you will help connect individuals to appropriate college staff for more specialized assistance. In addition to providing direct support, you will have access to student systems to process registrations and perform other essential functions on behalf of students and the College.

This work is fast-paced and will continue to evolve in response to the changing needs of students and the community. Navigators must have a service mindset, be adaptable, solutions-oriented, and ready to grow with the role as services, systems, and student expectations continue to shift. This position is essential in creating a seamless, student-centered experience that supports success, reduces barriers, and fosters a sense of belonging throughout the student journey.

This position is fully ONSITE with very limited remote work opportunities, as determined by the supervisor as applicable.

See the full job classification detail: https://www.pcc.edu/hr/employment/classified-jobs/student-services-navigator/

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent. One year of college level coursework in Student Services, Business, Service Industry, Sociology, Communication or a related field.

• One year of relevant experience may substitute for the college level coursework

• Two years’ experience in general office support or one year experience in a student or customer service environment with considerable public contact providing technical assistance and guidance to others and working with complex procedures and regulations

Desired Qualifications: Bi-Lingual

Preferred Qualifications / Success Criteria:

• Direct experience in admissions, enrollment, financial aid, or student advising, particularly in a high-volume, customer-facing role

• Strong Customer Service & Conflict Resolution Skills – Experience handling difficult situations professionally, de-escalating conflicts, and providing excellent student support across multiple service channels

• Ability to Work Independently & Collaboratively – Strong problem-solving, multitasking, and teamwork skills to navigate student needs efficiently while working with cross-functional teams

Why You'll Love Working Here

The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. As part of our College community, you’ll enjoy:

• A collaborative and inspiring campus community

• Opportunities for learning and professional development

Position GradeClassified 18 (A)

Employment TypeFull time

Total Rewards Package / What We Offer

There is never a dull moment at PCC. We offer more than just a competitive salary. When you join our team at PCC you'll also enjoy:

- Comprehensive benefit package

- Oregon PERS contribution

- Tax deferred annuity program and a deferred compensation program

- Tuition waiver for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children under 24 years of age, as well as partial tuition reimbursement for full-time employees at other accredited institutions

- Free access to the sport centers / campus gymnasiums, performing arts, and cultural events

- Conference and Event Rental Space - Employees receive 50% off when on-campus for personal events

- Paid Leave (Pro-rated by FTE for Part-Time Employees) reference Classified Agreement

o Starts at 8 hours of vacation leave per month (additional vacation hours with years of service)

o 1 day of sick leave per month

o 12 paid holidays

o PCC Winter Break (when College is Closed)

o 24 hours of personal leave per year

More detailed information on the benefits plans, who is eligible, and how to enroll or make changes can be found at pcc.edu/hr/benefits. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

How We Determine Initial Salary Placement

Salary placement for Classified positions at PCC is based on relevant professional experience, as well as internal equity. This position is Classified Grade 18. Per PCC’s Classified Employee contract, initial placement is typically in the first two steps of the range: $52,293 and $53,862 per year. Higher salary placement may be available based on qualifications, experience and internal equity.

See the complete Classified Employee salary range here: https://www.pcc.edu/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2024/06/Classified-Appendix-A-2024-2025.pdf

Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public EmploymentPortland Community College complies with the Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment law which provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. You will be given instructions during the application process to claim Veterans' Preference in the recruitment of this position, and to provide the documents required for verification of eligibility. Please do not send your documentation to the hiring manager directly. For verification of eligibility, please submit the following documentation:

• Veterans: DD214

• Disabled Veterans: DD214 and Letter from the Department of VA

Notice of the Availability of the Annual Security ReportPursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), you may view Portland Community College’s (PCC) most recent Annual Security Report (ASR) on the Department of Public Safety website. The ASR contains current security and safety-related policy disclosure statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information and resources, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains crime statistics for Clery Act crimes which occurred on PCC properties for the last three calendar years. Paper copies of the ASR are available upon request at all Department of Public Safety offices.

PCC Employment Offers are Contingent Upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check

Please note that Portland Community College is not currently able to provide visa (e.g. H1-B Visa) sponsorship for potential employees.

Contact PCC at [email protected] if you have questions