Transfer Credit Specialist (Program Specialist 2)
Western Washington University Office of Admissions
Bellingham, WA
Internship
Education
Posted on March 7, 2019
Apply at www.wwu.edu/jobsClosing Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2019About the University: Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 87,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2017 U.S. News & World Report rankings.About the Department: The Office of Admissions works as a team to attract, admit, and enroll today's most promising scholars and future leaders. We counsel and evaluate prospective students as individuals with unique strengths, needs, and paths as we build an increasingly talented, diverse, and dynamic student body at Western Washington University, while working with University leadership to meet institutional enrollment targets. The Office of Admissions supports Western's mission to bring together individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in an inclusive, student-centered university that develops the potential of learners and the well-being of communities. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.About the Position The Office of Admissions is seeking a dedicated professional to join our team in a full-time, 12-month permanent position. Reporting to the Associate Director of Admissions, the Transfer Credit Specialist (Program Specialist 2) manages all aspects of the transfer course equivalency review process for Western Washington University, provides accurate and timely review and articulation of transfer courses and maintains the integrity of transfer course equivalency data in the student information system (Banner). The ideal candidate will be a critical thinker, have excellent organizational abilities with an acute attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills that enable them to provide personalized attention to prospective students throughout the admissions and registration process and develop positive working relationships with key campus partners.?Program Specialty:- Manage the transfer course equivalency review process for the University, provide sole decision-making authority on the transferability of general education courses, maintain transfer equivalency information and records, and serve as a liaison and resource to the campus community on matters related to transferability of courses.Make Decisions on the Transferability of Courses and Determine Transfer Credit Equivalencies (30%)- Use online resources (such as college catalogs, transfer course databases, etc.) to research transferability of courses, determine course histories and effective dates, verify accreditation status, etc.- Review and compare the title, course descriptions and syllabi of courses completed by students at other colleges and universities with courses offered at Western. - Use professional judgement and knowledge of Western policies, requirements and course offerings to determine transferability of courses and establish transfer credit equivalencies.- Ensure all appropriate transfer credit from other institutions is duly accepted and correctly articulated by creating and entering course equivalences in the Banner transfer articulation module.- Respond to requests from community college faculty and advisers regarding the transferability of new and proposed courses. Manage the Transfer Course Equivalency Review Process & Maintain Transfer Equivalency Records for the University (35%)- Work with academic department chairs, designated faculty, and staff advisors to establish major and upper division course equivalencies. - Plan and execute both annual and ongoing reviews of new and revised transfer courses and external exams (AP, IB, Cambridge International, etc.) for which the institution may award credit. Identify new and/or changed courses by comparing course descriptions, rubrics, and numbers between current and previous catalog editions and exam subject area content. Enter all relevant course changes into the transfer articulation module in Banner and communicate pertinent updates to stakeholders.- Complete the timely review, editing, and entry of new and changed Western courses into the Banner transfer articulation module to ensure new and current students have the most accurate information available. - Manage the course and credit petition process for new and currently enrolled students. Initiate, organize and retain necessary correspondence with college representatives and Western departments; document equivalency decisions and policy changes; enter decisions into Banner, if applicable; and communicate outcome to students.- Produce and evaluate transfer articulation reports, perform routine data audits of equivalency database and online Transfer Course Equivalency Guide, analyze business processes and data integrity, and reconcile records and suggest improvements when necessary. - Develop and maintain process documentation and guidelines. Responsible for creating and updating instructions used by staff members that fall under the purview of this position.- Test the Banner transfer articulation module and forms for defects with current version and with future upgrades. Report defects and develop alternative workarounds. - As requested, assist in the development and review of articulation agreements and transfer guides with partner institutions.- Consult with Associate Director regarding courses or programs of study that fall outside established guidelines.Admissions Processing & Support (20%)- As workflow needs in the Office of Admissions demand, review applicant files, make admission decisions according to established guidelines, enter student transcript data, and/or articulate transfer coursework. - As requested, assist with recruitment goals of the Office of Admissions by participating in prospective transfer student visits, attending college fairs, on-call advising in person, via email and telephone, and responding to prospective student inquires. - Maximize enrollment yield of admitted transfer students and retention of enrolled students by promptly responding to all requests for information.- Advise applicants and students of transfer credits and how these credits will apply to degree requirements at Western. Answer questions regarding the university's decision to accept or deny such transfer credit for credit or WWU equivalencies. - Develop procedures and processes to evaluate transfer credit for applicants to academic programs with special requirements or exceptions.- Train back-up transfer articulation staff: coordinating the work, ensuring accuracy, and verifying policies and procedures are followed correctly.Serve as a Liaison and Resource to Campus Community for Matters Related to Articulation of Transfer Credit (10%)- Answer questions about published transfer equivalencies from Washington-state college representatives; WWU departmental advisers and/or faculty; Admissions, Registrar's and Academic Advising Center staff as well as from students. Research and correct errors and anomalies: (a) in response to such questions, and/or (b) when this need is self-identified. Communicate the results of pending or proposed course equivalency reviews with Washington state college representatives, answering questions via letters, telephone, and email.- Work cooperatively with Admissions staff, Registrar's office, Academic Advising office, and academic departments, to provide pre-admission advisement, orientation information, registration assistance, and assistance resolving issues and concerns regarding transfer of credit. - Provide consultation and training to admission evaluators, admission counselors and other campus constituents such as degree evaluators, faculty and staff to interpret and apply varied and complex policies and guidelines related to transferability of credits. - Serve as the Office of Admission's representative on the Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) to ensure the consistent application of general education designations for transfer coursework. - Assist Admissions and Registrar's Office staff with unique and complicated transfer credit questions. Regularly correspond with Registrar's Office staff including degree evaluators and those assigned to maintain Degree Works and University Catalog.Other Duties as Assigned (5%)- Compose, copy-edit, and/or proofread publication materials, online transfer information, and other documents as requested by the Associate Director or other staff.- As requested, review legislative proposals related to transfer articulation policies and procedures and assist with composing a response on behalf of the University. - As requested, represent Western and the Office of Admissions on various University and statewide committees and attend meetings and conferences that include transfer-related topics.- Perform related duties as required. Required Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education/experience in the areas of transfer credit evaluation or academic advising sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job- Demonstrated ability to make informed decisions in the interpretation and application of guidelines, policies, procedures and rules while exercising independent judgment- Ability to pay careful attention to details with a high degree of accuracy in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment- Outstanding organizational skills with demonstrated ability to set priorities and successfully meet goals - Ability to work independently and collaboratively across various programs and departments- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff and students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives- Ability to learn new software programs including Banner, NolijWeb and SlatePreferred Qualifications:- Experience with transfer articulation- Experience using the Banner Transfer Articulation Module- Knowledge of Western Washington University academic policies affecting transfer credit- Knowledge of the CollegeSource Transfer Evaluation System (TES)Apply at www.wwu.edu/jobsCLOSING DATE: WED. MARCH 13, 2019Important application instructions below!A complete application packet includes the following:1) Resume2) Cover letter specifically addressing your experience related to the position responsibilities and each of the required qualifications3) A separate page summarizing your experiences related to each of the preferred qualifications you meet3) One letter of recommendation and contact information for at least two additional references Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time, 12-month classified position. New hires typically begin at $3,420/month including an excellent benefits package. The position will begin May 1, 2019. Bargaining Unit: This position is part of the PSE bargaining unit.