Transfer and Running Start Pathways Advisor [Admissions Counselor 3 - Regional Seattle]

Transfer and Running Start Pathways Advisor

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 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 90,000 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 has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

The Admissions Department supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. 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.

The Transfer and Running Start Pathways Advisor serves as Western's primary representative to partner community colleges throughout the greater SeattleOlympia region. Reporting to the Director of Transfer Admissions and Operations, this position manages advising, outreach, and recruitment efforts that support community college students transitioning to Western and promotes pathways for transfer and first-year Running Start students. The advisor manages Western's presence at partner institutions, building collaborative relationships with community college advisors and staff while delivering advising and recruitment services that support enrollment. This role contributes to the development and implementation of Western's transfer recruitment strategy by identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships, expand transfer pipelines, and improve student access and preparation. This position requires a self-directed professional who can manage an external recruitment territory independently while coordinating closely with colleagues within and beyond the Office of Admissions.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruitment, Advising, and Territory Engagement: Manage an external recruitment territory across the Seattle-Olympia region, maintaining a consistent presence at partner community colleges.
• Programs and Events: Lead and participate in On-the-Spot Admissions events that provide students with timely information about admissibility and next steps.
• Application Review: Review assigned applications for admission and scholarships and recommend admission decisions using established guidelines.
• Community College Partnerships and Pathway Development: Serve as Western's primary liaison to partner community colleges in the Seattle region, developing collaborative relationships with advisors, counselors, and administrators.
• Other Duties: Manage home office duties which include storing and tracking inventory of recruitment materials, maintenance of University-issued equipment (laptop, etc.)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (earned by position's start date)
• Excellent interpersonal skills that include professional communication, relationship building, and the ability to clearly and concisely present information
• Experience working effectively with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation abilities
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and projects independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency with technology and willingness to learn new systems
• Ability and willingness to travel independently throughout the assigned territory

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience in admissions recruitment, advising, or related work in higher education
• Experience working with community colleges or transfer student populations
• Master's degree in a related field
• Fluency in one or more languages other than English

Conditions of Employment:

• All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to View email address on click.appcast.io if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary: Hiring range is $58,727 - $67,537/year depending on qualifications and experience. Through longevity position tops out at $76,345.

Benefits Information: Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Application Instructions: A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references. References will only be contacted if necessary, with notice provided beforehand.

Closing Date Notes: Application review begins June 22, 2026; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU's Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; View phone number on click.appcast.io (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); View email address on click.appcast.io WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, View phone number on click.appcast.io or 711 (Washington Relay). Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at View email address on click.appcast.io. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.