Basic Needs Navigator

Opportunity Description

North Seattle is looking to hire a Basic Needs Navigator in the Workforce Education and Basic Needs department.

Salary Range for this position is $63,411 to $87,567 annually.

Opportunity is open until filled; first review of internal materials will begin October 9, 2026. External reviews (if needed) will begin November 2**, 2026.**

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates
• Promotional Opportunities
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume
• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants:

Please note that Seattle Colleges have moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Seattle Colleges is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

Overview

The Basic Needs Navigator is an Exempt Pro-staff position at North Seattle College (NSC) in Workforce education, a part of the basic needs team. This position performs a variety of duties to serve current students and serves as the first point of contact for students needing assistance with resource navigation, applying for public assistance, completing Workforce, financial aid, scholarship, and emergency funding applications, and providing direct referrals to other campus resources. The Basic Needs Navigator must stay informed of current Workforce Education policy, FAFSA/WASFA application processes, and best practices to ensure that both programmatic and student needs are met. The position works with campus and community partners including academic divisions, WorkSource, Student Services, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), and beyond.

This position is Full-Time, working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM. The schedule may vary depending on program needs. May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed.

This position works a hybrid schedule of on-site Monday through Thursday and remote on Fridays.

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with representation by AFT-SPS - Pro Staff.

What you will be working on:

• Actively participate as a member of the statewide Basic Needs Navigator Cohort, including attending training and meetings
• Participate in ongoing evaluation and revision efforts to ensure appropriate and effective support for prioritizing student basic needs
• Provide a low barrier intake process for students that includes appropriate assessment and presentation of the colleges and community resources available
• Support all students¿ access to Basic Food assistance and the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program and support the reduction of student food insecurity. Partner with the Food Pantry Coordinator to ensure wrap-around support for students.
• Provide students with referrals for supportive services within the college and with community partners that help meet their basic needs
• Conduct follow-up and case management as needed to ensure students¿ needs are met and provide additional referrals if needed
• Facilitate local or regional discussions and generate recommendations amongst community stakeholders on the basic needs of their respective colleges¿ students
• Assist efforts to strengthen transition support, which may include assistance with FAFSA/WASFA, Workforce Education Grants, WA College Grant, etc.
• Participate in the Guided Pathways work including alignment with access and retention initiatives to support student success.
• Work with other Benefit Navigators and the SBCTC to enhance community partnerships to support students and increase options for individuals to meet their basic needs.

What you bring as a candidate:

• Bachelor¿s degree in public administration, education, social work, human services or related field or at least 3 years of equivalent direct work experience.
• Demonstrated experience and passion for helping low-income individuals access education and economic opportunity.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds, such as racial, ethnic, religious, gender and sexual orientation, socio-economic and diverse physical and learning abilities.
• Work experience in a complex and dynamic environment where success is often the result of cooperation and collaboration.
• Excellent customer service, communication and teamwork skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Strong planning and project management ability
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting, reviewing, and applying program specific policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of professional, technical and administrative staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines while being attentive to detail.
• Superior technical skills including proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

Office Setting

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, the Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of ¿bullying¿ behaviors, including ¿cyberbullying.¿

Students, employees, and applicants at Seattle Colleges can reach the Title IX Coordinator or ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for questions about discrimination, harassment or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement

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. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.