Program Coordinator

Central Washington University is recruiting a Program Coordinator to join our Veteran & Military-Connected Student Center (VMCSC) team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is an 11-month cyclic campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from ($43,980-$58,584)annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here.

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Veteran & Military-Connected Student Center (VMCSC) Program Coordinator will coordinate and organize procedural operations within the Veterans & Military Connected Student Center at Central Washington University and assist students with navigating their VA Education Benefits and connecting them to other campus or community resources. This position will also coordinate programming for our veteran student population and the greater campus community regarding veteran mental health. There is extensive involvement with students, staff, and the public which involves scheduling, coordination of events, monitoring program activities, and budgetary oversight to determine consistency with program goals. Veterans Center Employees directly affect the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff feel supported and by promoting access and opportunity for all students. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

School Certifying Official (SCO) Duties:

• Serve as an additional School Certifying Official and assist with certifying quarter-to-quarter.
• Review files of newly reported enrollment to VA for other SCOs and move the documents to the permanent student file.
• Evaluate for compliance with programs and courses in which the veterans are enrolled.
• Provide information on various GI Bills to prospective and currently enrolled student veterans and family members of veterans.
• Counsel veterans and family members concerning VA regulations and requirements for receiving VA benefit payments and advise students regarding the effective utilization of Federal assistance available.
• Assist with obtaining required documentation from students and follow established department practices to maintain accurate and organized electronic files.
• Maintain digital files to ensure programs are consistent with audit practices and records retention standards.
• Monitor current student data and deactivate students upon discontinuation of enrollment, graduation, or academic suspension.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid office to provide resources and assistance to veterans and family members regarding availability of VA financial aid waivers, grants, and other financial information.
• Assist and/or refer student veterans, potential students, and family members to access resources and services offered through Student Engagement & Success, Housing, Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Career Services, etc. to ensure a smooth transition for students entering the university and retention of current students.
• Participate in professional organizations that deal with veteran topics (i.e. NASPA, NAVPA, etc.).
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training to stay current on CWU policies, VA Education, and VA Enrollment Management.

Mental Health Programming:

• Coordinate new programs or events designed to target our military-connected student population with a Mental Health focus.
• Assess events to determine their efficiency and success at reaching potential students, staff, and faculty.
• Develop partnerships with local, regional, and national constituents.
• Implement CWU programs and services targeted at helping our student veterans succeed academically and personally as well as ensuring that student veterans are connected with the local community.
• Work collaboratively with campus stakeholders, including Health & Wellness programs, to coordinate events with a mental health focus. This includes developing marketing materials and strategies, working with on-campus catering, and complying with budget policies.
• Partner with Human Resources when applicable to bring speakers or training for faculty and staff that provides guidance on best practices for connecting student veterans with mental health resources.
• Conduct research as needed.

Fiscal Support:

• Provide oversight and back-up to Office Assistant 3 in maintaining, monitoring, and reconciling budgets and fiscal records; recognizing discrepancies; initiate budget transfers; inform director of status.
• Assist in preparing quarterly and annual program and fiscal reports.
• Attend meetings and/or conferences as program liaison.

• Use word processing, graphics, statistical, spreadsheet and/or data base software.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree or any combination of education and experience clearly demonstrates the ability to perform essential functions of the position.
• Experience engaging with culturally and economically varied populations.
• Experience working in student services or a customer service setting.
• Experience or training that demonstrates the ability to use computers, Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet and/or similar software applications to produce written correspondence, create and maintain spreadsheets, and receive and respond to e-mail inquiries, and tasks.
• Experience working with programs or agencies that serve active-duty military, veterans, and/or family members of veterans.
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and speaking skills.
• Excellent networking, organizational, and planning skills.
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the VA Education certification process as a School Certifying Official (SCO).
• Knowledge of the unique needs of active-duty members, veterans, and their families in a student center environment.
• Military Service: time served with honorable discharge or currently serving.
• Experience in counseling, mentoring, and advising in a student-centered environment.
• Experience with event coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's commitment to student success.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for

Salary: This position is based on the range 41 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $43,980 and maximum annual salary of $58,584. In accordance with RCW , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) / 11 month cyclic position

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: .

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: December 10, 2025

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Name: Edwin Torres
Title: Veteran & Military-Connected Student Center Director
Email:
Phone:
Website:

Please contact Human Resources at or if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA ; Telephone ; or email

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at or call This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at for a paper copy.