Western Washington University, with over 14,000 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. WWU is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. 

The Career Services Center’s mission is to empower our community to explore opportunities, build connections, and create their future. Our work helps students recognize their strengths, identify their skills, and access resources to make informed decisions about life during and after WWU. We support students and alumni with career exploration, job and internship searches, résumé and cover letter reviews, and interview preparation. As a team, we are student-centered, supportive, inclusive, collaborative, and always looking for innovative ways to help our community succeed.

The Temporary Career Support Specialist provides career support to current students and recent alumni through virtual drop-in advising, workshops, and online resources. This temporary role ensures continued access to key career development services during a staff leave and supports the Career Services Center’s mission to foster inclusive, affirming, and accessible career readiness. 

Job Responsibilities

Student/Alumni Support & Advising (60%)

• Provide virtual career counseling during scheduled drop-in hours (3x/week), assisting students with topics such as: resume and cover letter feedback, career exploration strategies, job/internship search tactics, interview preparation advice, and resource navigation.
• Deliver workshops on key career readiness topics (e.g., resumes, cover letters, career exploration, job search) and participate in career readiness clinics.
• Refer students to online tools and self-guided resources (e.g., SkillsFirst, Ask A Viking, etc.).
• Maintain awareness of resources for specific student groups (e.g., first-gen, international, students of color) and provide inclusive, affirming support.

 Resource Development & Student Engagement (20%)

• Assist with development and curation of Canvas course content and resource pages.
• Update templates, FAQs, and digital materials used in career workshops and outreach.
• Contribute to marketing and outreach efforts (emails, social media blurbs, class announcements).
• Support event preparation and staffing (e.g., resume clinics, employer panels, fairs as needed).

Operations & Collaboration (20%)

• Provide back-up support for front desk operations when needed, including greeting visitors, helping triage inquiries, answering phone calls and emails, and acting as Zoom Coordinator for Virtual Career Counseling Drop-ins.
• Collaborate with director and career counselor to implement high-priority initiatives.
• Participate in regular team meetings and debriefs to assess service impact and adapt.
• Track interactions and student usage data for drop-ins and programs.
• Support training of peer advisors providing resume review support and workshop delivery.

• Bachelor’s degree (must be complete by the time of the start date)
• Minimum of one year experience providing career coaching, advising, and/or counseling to clients/students, or related higher education experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting diverse, traditionally underrepresented or under-served, first generation, low-socioeconomic, or non-traditional populations.
• Ability to work successfully with and support a diverse staff, fulfilling job responsibilities in a way that contributes to an inclusive environment for staff and students.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to give effective presentations, provide individual advising and conduct outreach to targeted groups.
• Flexible, adaptable self-starter with a proactive approach to problem-solving and multitasking.
• Organized and detail-oriented with ability to set priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive information/materials in a confidential manner.
• Strong sense of reliability and accountability, particularly regarding attendance.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint) and Zoom.

• Experience with higher education career services programs and services.
• Experience with higher education platforms including but not limited to Handshake, EAB Navigate, and Canvas.
• Master’s degree in student affairs administration, education, counseling, school counseling, or a related field.

The preferred start date for this position is on or before September 15, with a duration of no more than six months.

The role will average 25–40 hours per week, with more hours during peak periods, fewer during slower times, and minimal hours during winter break (December 15–January 2). Flexible scheduling options available, as long as office needs are met.

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Please submit a resume and cover letter (one page or less) that address your experience related to the position responsibilities; the required and preferred qualifications; and your commitment to access, diversity, equity and inclusion.

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; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

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, 360.650.3751 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 the Vice President for Student Affairs at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. 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.