Financial Aid and Academic Advisor
Walla Walla Community College
Salary: $3,827.00 - $4,980.00 Monthly
Job Type:
Job Number: 2026-107I PS2 CRCC
Location: Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, Connell, WA
Department: VPI/INSTRUCTION OFFICE
Closing: Continuous
Join our team to help inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services.
Description
OFM classification title: Program Specialist 2
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is seeking applicants for a Financial Aid and Academic Advisor (Program Specialist 2) position for the WWCC Correction Education program located at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC) in Connell, Washington.
This position is filled to fulfill a contract awarded to Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (WSBCTC) to operate a correctional education program at CRCC in accordance with an interagency agreement with the Department of Corrections. Walla Walla Community College and its employees working in a correctional education program are expected to follow all Department of Corrections (DOC) Policies, IT and other Security requirements, follow DOC Operational Memorandums, and comply with the Superintendent's directions.
At Walla Walla Community College, we inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.
This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by 8/3/2026 at 11:59pm PST. See Required Application Materials section.
General Responsibilities:
The Financial Aid and Academic Advisor will work onsite at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC) in Connell, Washington with incarcerated individuals. The primary focus of the role is to explain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Pell Grant, and other funding sources available to students, and ensure all necessary documentation is complete and submitted to the Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) Financial Aid department. The secondary focus is to provide academic advising and monitor degree requirements to assist students in certificate and degree completion.
The Financial Services Advisor conducts appointments that provide clear and concise information to incarcerated individuals. This position works closely with WWCC's Financial Aid department and will work collaboratively with the Associate Director of Financial Aid and Director of Student Financial Support. This position reports to the Director of Corrections Education.
Essential Functions:
Act as the primary advisor for Prison Education Program (PEP) students.
- Meet with incarcerated individuals at CRCC to explain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Pell Grant, and other funding sources available for Prison Education Programs (PEP).
- Provide ethical advising and assistance to understand program requirements, making informed decisions regarding Pell and other funding sources, and meeting educational goals.
- Collect and process necessary paperwork required for the college Financial Aid department and the Department of Education. Keep detailed records, copies of completed paperwork, and track all necessary components of paperwork to completion in required databases and spreadsheets.
- Assist with quarterly processes such as Satisfactory Academic Process (SAP). Participate in the grade appeals process, when necessary.
- Work with program participants, staff, representatives of outside organizations, and/or members of the public in defining the needs and planning, designing, and developing specialized program activities.
- Monitor student placement and maintain a working understanding of educational programs at CRCC.
- Reference degree audits and Excel trackers to best advise students on their financial aid needs and academic progress in a timely manner.
- Track, enrollment, progression, and completion outcomes for all program participants.
- Work with Program Coordinators to assist during Student Advising days.
- Liaise with the Education Navigator at CRCC to advise re-entry students on educational opportunities, academic progress, and funding sources, helping them identify and choose the best academic paths to achieve their goals.
Training and compliance
- Receive training from and coordinate with Financial Aid staff to assist students in navigating the financial aid process, problem resolution, appeals, regulatory requirements, and general information.
- Attend trainings and professional development opportunities, including state and federal meetings, as needed.
- Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Support and advance WWCC's strategic plan, and perform other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
- Proven ability to work within deadlines.
- Must be able to work as a member of a team.
- Ability to interpret and apply regulations, policies and procedures received from multiple sources.
- Must be task oriented and able to streamline processes after evaluating areas.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentially.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations and/or verify information accurately.
- Ability to represent the department and WWCC in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner.
Required Qualifications:
Any combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job may be considered by the college.
- Associate degree from an accredited institution or two (2) years of relevant work experience
- Demonstrated excellence in providing customer or student-centered service. This involves outstanding interpersonal skills, strong organizational abilities, and great attention to detail to ensure a positive and supportive experience for all clients or students.
- Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. This includes the ability to convey information clearly and effectively in both written and verbal forms, and to interact positively with a diverse range of individuals.
- Experience working with computers and spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Knowledge of college procedures that affect financial aid and student success such as: Student Records, Tuition and Fees, Refunds, Degrees, and Certificates etc.
- Experience with ctcLink (PeopleSoft).
- Experience working with Federal Financial Aid programs and resources.
- Demonstrated experience working with the criminal justice systems or incarcerated populations.
- Bilingual English/Spanish
Conditions/Terms of Employment
This classified position is in a bargaining unit for which WPEA Higher Ed is the exclusive representative.
Standard business hours are 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour lunch break. Incumbent may be expected to occasionally adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. Minimal travel may be required for occasional training.
This position is located inside the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, an adult male prison. Interacts daily with students (incarcerated individuals), instructors, counselors, DOC, and WWCC staff. You must be able to hear speech and speak in person, electronically, and on the telephone. Work is performed in an office environment in a semi-open office setting with frequent interruptions and background noise. There is frequent use of computers and exposure to terminal screens, visual focus and strain as well as frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation. Work is sedentary in nature, but will require moving between different parts of the facility. Working in a correctional setting includes being searched prior to entering the facility and complying with rules regarding bringing in limited personal belongings.
The college has an excellent benefit program including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; paid sick leave; paid vacation leave; and retirement plan. All full-time employees will automatically have 3% of taxable income deferred into the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) unless declined at time of hire. WWCC requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary. The College is a tobacco-free campus.
Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful authorization to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment and official college transcripts. WWCC participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. All Walla Walla Community College staff members employed at one of the Correction Education facilities must be cleared by an FBI background check before being hired into such positions and successfully complete a 4-week corrections training program within 6 months of employment. Information from the background check may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Department of Correction positions are grant funded and funding is not guaranteed. Upon loss of grant funding, the position will end. WWCC does not absorb the cost to fund DOC grant positions.
Required Application Materials
This position is open until filled with priority consideration given to those applicants who submit a complete application by August 3, 2026 at 11:50 PM PST. To qualify for priority consideration, applicants must submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:
- Online application
- Cover letter (In the cover letter, please describe any professional experience, training, or educational background that makes you an ideal candidate).
- Resume
- List of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references.
- Answers to three (3) supplemental questions
- Unofficial transcripts for application purposes (if applicable); official transcripts are required prior to an official start date.
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