Housing Justice Navigator

Priority Consideration Date: October 15, 2026 Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution. We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who: Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population Are committed to teaching in a community college setting Care deeply about student success Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities Reflect the diversity of our community Position Summary Reporting to the Executive Director, the Housing Justice Navigator supports students experiencing housing instability and other basic needs challenges through individualized case management, resource navigation, advocacy, outreach, and education. This position connects students with campus and community resources, helps remove barriers to student success, and promotes equitable access to services that support persistence, retention, and completion. The Housing Justice Navigator works closely with Financial Aid, Advising, Counseling Services, Workforce Education, and other campus and community partners to support students whose educational goals may be impacted by housing insecurity, financial hardship, or other life circumstances. Through a student-centered approach, the Housing Justice Navigator helps students access resources, develop plans, and navigate systems that contribute to academic and personal success. Direct Student Support and Resource Navigation Create a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes belonging and supports students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. Provide individualized case management, resource navigation, advocacy, and support for students experiencing housing instability, financial hardship, or other barriers to success. Engage students through a strengths-based, student-centered approach that builds trust, supports problem-solving, and connects students to resources that promote stability and educational success. Utilize trauma-informed, student-centered, and strengths-based approaches when supporting students experiencing housing instability, financial hardship, and other barriers to student success. Conduct intake assessments and provide services through in-person, phone, and virtual appointments. Assist students in identifying, accessing, and navigating campus, community, state, and federal resources related to housing, food, transportation, childcare, emergency assistance, and other basic needs. Assist students with completing applications and gathering documentation required for housing, emergency assistance, and other support programs. Provide information about financial aid, workforce funding, and other financial resources that support student persistence and completion. Provide support and resource navigation for students participating in Passport to Careers and other basic needs initiatives, including connecting students to campus and community resources that promote retention, persistence, and completion; track student participation and outcomes and prepare reports required by funding agencies and partner organizations. Serve as an advocate for students and assist them in navigating college systems, policies, and available resources. Outreach, Education, and Collaboration Plan and facilitate workshops, presentations, outreach activities, and educational opportunities related to housing stability, basic needs, and student success. Develop and maintain resource materials and referral networks that increase student awareness of available services and supports. Conduct outreach and recruitment efforts that support students experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, housing instability, and other basic needs challenges. Establish and maintain partnerships with housing providers, community organizations, government agencies, and campus departments to strengthen coordinated support for students. Foster collaborative relationships with Tacoma Housing Authority, local housing providers, community-based organizations, educational partners, and other stakeholders that support student success. Actively participate as a member of the statewide Benefits Navigator Cohort, including attending trainings, meetings, and collaborative learning opportunities. Participate in staff meetings, professional development activities, campus committees, and collaborative initiatives. Program Operations and Assessment Maintain student confidentiality and comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and applicable college policies and procedures. Maintain current knowledge of housing resources, Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Maintain accurate and timely records, case notes, referrals, program data, and outcome measures; assist with required reporting and assessment activities. Complete quarterly reports and other program documentation as required. Assist the Executive Director in identifying grant opportunities, program development efforts, and initiatives that support housing stability and basic needs security. Develop and maintain a directory of community resources available to students. Contribute to the development, implementation, and ongoing assessment of statewide and campus-specific Hunger-Free and Basic Needs strategic initiatives. Participate in ongoing evaluation, continuous improvement, and revision efforts to ensure effective, responsive, and student-centered basic needs supports. In collaboration with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), support the implementation of student surveys and other assessment activities related to food security, housing stability, and access to basic needs resources. Supervision Recruit, train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate student employees and peer leaders; provide ongoing coaching, support, and professional development opportunities to ensure quality service delivery and student development. Other Duties Perform related duties as assigned. Education to Experience Equivalences: Associate's Degree = 2 years | Bachelor's Degree = 4 years | Master's Degree = 6 years Minimum Qualifications Associate degree in Social Services, Human Services, Education, or a closely related field from an accredited college. Equivalent education and experience may be considered. 2 years of experience providing case management, student support services, social services, resource navigation, community resource referral, or related services in an educational or community-based setting. Experience conducting assessments, interviews, referrals, and support for individuals experiencing crisis or barriers to success. Experience using Microsoft Office 365 and electronic recordkeeping systems. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, social, economic, and educational backgrounds.