Our Mission Statement:
As a federally designated Hispanic-serving Institution residing on the traditional homelands of the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Yakima Valley College cultivates equity and a culture of innovative and inclusive teaching and learning.Yakima Valley College serves all students holistically, supports all students’ learning goals, and fosters achievement within career and educational pathways.We strengthen our communities by providing opportunities for personal enrichment, economic mobility, and sociocultural engagement.
Reporting to the Assistant Dean – Grandview Campus, the Program Assistant is a full-time position (12 months, 40 hours per week). Beginning salary is $3,495 per month, with periodic increments up to $4,653, plus a full state benefit package. The Program Assistant serves as the primary contact for the Counseling & Advising Center, Disability Support Services (DSS), and Testing Center participants. This position plays a key role in supporting accommodations, coordinating program operations, proctoring and administering exams, and ensuring excellent customer service for students, faculty, and staff. The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, adaptable, and committed to fostering a welcoming, student-centered environment.
- Serve as primary contact for the Counseling & Advising Center, DSS and Testing Center participants, providing information, guidance, and program support.
- Schedule appointments, exams, and other services; ensure timely delivery of accommodations.
- Maintain accurate student records, collect data, track program activities and outcomes.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to support student academic needs and coordinate testing logistics.
- Organize and facilitate workshops, orientations, and informational meetings.
- Prepare reports, forms, correspondence, and other documentation as needed.
- Share program information with students, staff, faculty, and the community; coordinate with other campus departments and external agencies.
- Manage inventory of equipment, textbooks, and materials; track check-outs and returns.
- Provide feedback and assist with program approvements to meet goals and objectives.
- Support student access to academic advising, testing services and accommodations; follow program policies.
- Proctor and actively monitor exams using approved software and procedures; enforce academic integrity.
- Communicate with instructors and the DSS Coordinator regarding exam needs, testing issues, and accommodations.
- Assist with placement testing of new students, including during New Student Orientation and Advising Day.
- Maintain and update testing center databases and records; assist in streamlining processes.
- Provide limited technical troubleshooting for testing software/hardware and contact tech support when needed.
- Maintain a clean, professional, and secure testing environment.
- Promote accessibility in testing to ensure all students receive necessary support.
- Provide excellent customer service by responding to inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
- Assist students with basic computer usage, printing, and accessing online resources.
- Report and document lab or testing equipment issues to technology services.
- Monitor labs, testing areas, and advising office for appropriate conduct and equipment use.
- Attend meetings and training; stay current on policies and best practices.
- Flexibility to work evenings or weekends as needed.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School graduation or equivalent
AND- Two years of full-time clerical experience.
OR- An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access) or equivalent software.
- Strong interpersonal skills for working with students, staff, and the public
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Accuracy in recordkeeping and error detection
- Sound judgment in decision-making within established policies and regulations
- Experience using student outcomes tracking software
- Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment
- Experience in an academic setting
Knowledge of:
- Office practices, procedures, and equipment used in clerical and program support functions.
- FERPA, ADA, and confidentiality requirements related to handling student records and accommodations.
- Testing procedures, exam security protocols, and proctoring standards in an academic environment.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) and database systems for recordkeeping and reporting.
- Customer service principles for working effectively with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
Ability To:
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse populations.
- Maintain accurate records and prepare clear reports, correspondence, and forms.
- Schedule, coordinate, and monitor services or appointments to meet deadlines and program requirements.
- Exercise sound judgement within established guidelines and maintain confidentiality.
- Adapt to changing priorities and multi-task in a fast-paced academic support environment
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:To apply for this position, you MUST submit a complete YVC Online Employment Application, and include the following REQUIRED attachments:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (a generic cover letter will not be accepted)
- A current resume(a resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the online application)
- Three (3) professional references(personal references do not count as professional)
- Unofficial transcripts for confirmation of degree(if minimum qualifications require a degree). The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts at time of hire.
- Certifications/Credentials as requiredfor fulfillment of the minimum qualifications.
Please note:Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification.Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or in lieu of attaching your documents to the online application.SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Candidates invited for interviews may be required to complete a skills test.
Candidates may be subject to a Criminal History Background Check as a condition for consideration of employment."In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire."Yakima Valley College does not discriminate against any person based on their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, age, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other prohibited basis in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance should be directed to Alma Ramirez, Chief Human Resources Officer, Yakima Valley College, 1015 South 16th Avenue, Yakima, Washington, 98902; emailaramirez@yvcc.edu; telephone 509.574.4671.Yakima Valley College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at https://www.yvcc.edu/services/safety-security,containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 509.574.4610.Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible.All positions are subject to funding.
