Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Placement Assessment and Advising Coordinator

  • Title: Placement Assessment and Advising Coordinator
  • Class: Academic Professional
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Level: 4

Job Summary

The Placement Assessment and Advising Coordinator, under the direction of Student Affairs, provides leadership and program management for the multiple measures placement assessment process. Incumbents in this job classification make independent decisions related to troubleshooting and responding to technical and operational problems, escalating issues, identifying  needs for policy and practice changes  and engaging with technology vendors, various college departments and leadership in responding to issues and opportunities to refine the placement assessment process.  The incumbent also plays a leadership role in local and statewide initiatives related to student placement and developmental education redesign.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities (includes some or all of the following)

  1. Oversees a college-wide placement assessment program and coordinates the delivery of academic placement services with other campus programs (such as admissions, orientation, enrollment services, advising, and counseling) to provide seamless services for students.
  2. Coordinates the work of the Placement Advisory Committee as a cross-college governance body responsible for directing development of the placement process.
  3. Establishes, collects and analyzes data (quantitative and qualitative) to determine appropriate revisions and modifications to the placement assessment process and coordinates stakeholder discussions of the data and resulting analyses. Facilitates on-going SAC and faculty work related to development of placement rubrics and testing cut scores. Facilitates the implementation of data-informed changes.
  4. Facilitates and coordinates continued (enhanced) instructional design and integrated student support needed to support the placement process. Aligns placement system with advising reforms & other student success initiatives.
  5. Works closely with Advising to develop appropriate advising models that best support students in making appropriate decisions about their academic placement and how it fits with their academic plans and goals.
  6. Identifies, develops & documents new policies & procedures. Designs and delivers training and on-going updates (e.g., seminars, workshops, etc.) to advisors, faculties, counselors and staff related to the placement process.
  7. Creates and delivers communication plans to keep students informed as to how the placement process works and how they can get support.
  8. Manages relationship with testing software vendors, assesses usage and need for additional licensing or additional service, and oversees contractual obligations and resolution of service issues.
  9. Tracks and monitors expenses related to the placement assessment program. Works with management to develop and reconcile budgets.
  10. Represents the college on local, regional and state committees and related work on evolving academic placement practices.
  11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Incumbents may drive to business/job sites, meetings or career events, which requires the use of a personal vehicle. Work also involves college and outside community outreach activities. Physical exertion is not a normal requirement of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, liberal arts or related field. Two years of experience related to academic advising, academic placement assessment/testing, counseling, and/or educational program development. Experience performing the duties of this job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Standardized testing, college placement testing software, and multiple measures placement approaches;
  • Adult development and academic advising methodologies;
  • PCC academic programs and requirements, student services policies and procedures, and campus resources;
  • Techniques for compiling and reporting outcomes information;
  • Assessment, testing, and interpretation and application of test results.
Skills in:
  • Operating a computer and various supporting software packages and a variety of office equipment;
  • Effective group facilitation and ability to make public presentations in a small or large
  • group setting.
Ability to:
  • Prioritize and manage multiple projects or to quickly change priorities;
  • Work independently;
  • Effectively communicate in oral and written form.

Reviewed: 12/2018

  • New: 8/2018