Job Details

Retention Specialist PLUS

Position Number: 6649571
Location: Cheney, WA
Position Type: Academic Advising

Retention Specialist PLUS

About Eastern Washington University:

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the regions polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWUs 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washingtons second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelors and masters degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a 24-25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur dAlene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

Job Summary:

The Program Leading to University Success (PLUS), Eastern Washington University, is currently seeking skilled and team-oriented applicants for the following position: Retention Specialist - Program Leading to University Success.

The Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) provides free academic support to EWU students through collaborative study groups and supplemental instruction, small group tutoring, in-person drop-in tutoring, e-tutoring, academic coaching, and online academic assistance.

Peers work with other peers in the Learning Commons of JFK Library and in classrooms across both the Cheney and the Spokane campuses. PLUS is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) to provide internationally recognized tutor training. PLUS Retention Specialists oversee the three main areas (Academic Coaching, Study Groups & Tutoring). PLUS supports EWUs strategic plan by increasing student access, enhancing student learning, contributing to student development, and expanding student completion.

See Job Duties section for detailed description of the positions responsibilities.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $51,291 (minimum) up to $61,554. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/.

Applications will be accepted through November 3, 2025. Screening of applications will begin the next day. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

Required Qualifications:

Masters degree from an accredited university/college
Evidence that demonstrates an ability to build partnerships and work effectively in a team setting
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and time while under pressure to meet deadlines
Excellent presentation, public speaking, and writing skills
Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive of the needs including universal access of our students, faculty, staff and the public

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience coordinating a university or college student success program, tutoring program or academic coaching program
Experience working with university students
Work experience involving hiring, supervising, training, and/or organizing employees or volunteer staff
Work experience coordinating university programs that provide academic services to multiple participants
Work experience utilizing university educational best-practices, particularly in the areas of student learning and/or academic support to facilitate student success inside and outside of the classroom

Other Skills and Abilities:

Teamwork
Flexibility
Effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and external constituents

Job Duties:
Direct Student Support and Retention:

Oversee the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of PLUS programming.
Facilitate the instruction of students, individually and in groups, on student success strategies.
Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate student employees (Graduate Service Appointments (GSAs), undergraduate and graduate) to become peer tutors, facilitators, SI leaders, academic coaches, and office aides. Submit appropriate paperwork to HR and approve bi-monthly timesheets.
Define performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and mentoring to PLUS student staff.
Design and implement professional development series for student employees on topics including customer service, resume building, job search, social media etiquette, and leadership skills.
Design, implement, and evaluate academic success strategies curriculum for PLUS presentations, workshops, and events provided for faculty and various departments on campus.

Percent of Time: 40

Administrative and Evaluation:

Design, implement, evaluate, and provide reporting for designated retention programs, projects, and activities.
Manage and analyze EWU student retention data using EAB Navigate system and Banner.
Utilize EAB Navigate Tutoring platform in support of EWUs student success needs.
Develop training modules on all tutoring related functions/operations within Navigate and ensure all new tutoring platform users receive appropriate training.
Monitor and manage Alerts and Cases within Navigate on a regular basis, ensuring students are being connected to the appropriate resource in a timely manner.
Liaise with faculty and CAAR advisors, college administration, student service units and others promoting the EagleCare Network, leading to a campus-wide shared responsibility of EWU student care and a more seamless experience for students.
Develop and maintain strong institutional relationships with faculty, student service units, and departments with the aim of providing coordinated support to students through campus and community resources, events, and other collaboration aiding in student persistence and retention.

Percent of Time: 40

Engagement and Outreach

Coordinate PLUS outreach efforts across campus and community, including student orientation events, Admitted Student Days, and other scheduled events involving prospective or incoming students.
Liaison with specialized externally-funded student support programs (CAMP, McNair, Chicana/o/x Studies, and Title III grant initiatives).
Serve on various EWU committees, including those that impact student success and retention.
Create and maintain respective pages and forms on EWU PLUS website.

Percent of Time: 15

Other

Support Director as necessary.
Create a front office environment that is student- and faculty-centered; responsive to students and faculty needs; friendly; and helpful.
Work in Catalyst office as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

Percent of Time: 5
Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently. Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This position is covered by the Public School Employees of Washington Collective Bargaining Agreement: https://in.ewu.edu/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2021/07/Eastern-Washington-University-PSE-CBA-2021-2024-FINAL.pdf

After starting employment, employees will complete the required training via Canvas. Workplace Belonging training will be available on December 1st and should be completed by March 31st, 2026.

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Salary Information:

The salary for this position is $51,291 (minimum) up to $61,554. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 10/15/2025
Open Until Further Notice: No
Closing Date: 11/3/2025
Screening to Begin: 11/4/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/14114