Peer Assistant Learning (PALs) Coordinator

Central Washington University is recruiting a PALs Coordinator to join our Learning Commons team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary 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 2022-2023 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. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

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:

This position is responsible for the creation, implementation, management, assessment, and marketing of one of the Learning Commons supplemental academic programs, the Peer-Assisted Learning (PALs) program, which offers strategic academic support for historically difficult courses and general education courses. The PALs Coordinator has responsibility for all PALs programming, provides oversight and direction of group tutoring programs, and additionally makes decisions for the day-to-day operations of PALs, the supervision and training of PALs tutors, and the structure of the support offered. This position collaborates extensively with faculty and other campus partners to engage students in usage of Learning Commons' services.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Administration:
- Recruit, train, and oversee Peer Tutors for all PALs/group tutoring
- Develop and teach supplemental instruction curriculum that aligns with CRLA certification requirements
- Create content for and lead weekly professional development meetings for tutors
- Develop instructional materials and resources as needed
- Collaborate with Learning Commons administrative team to develop and update tutoring manuals, policies, and procedures
- Communicate with faculty across all campuses and online to determine appropriate academic support measures and coordinate with other Learning Commons staff to support student success
- Implement and regularly assess the policies and procedures for PALs that enable the program to function effectively and consistently across multiple disciplines and across general education
- Support faculty in understanding, supporting, and following the requirements of PALs policies to align with best practices
- Lead PALs programs according to governing principles of the Council for the Advancement of Students (CAS), College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), and National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA)
- Represent the Learning Commons in extensive collaboration with academic units to develop supplemental instruction for high-need courses
- Develop curriculum centered around CRLA requirements, metacognitive revision strategies, and current learning theories. Additionally, develop ongoing onboarding materials, student binders, and handouts to use for PALs and Learning Commons student employees
- Consult with the Learning Commons staff and students in strategizing a forward vision for PALs programming

Supervisor Duties:
- Actively engage in ongoing recruitment and hiring 30-40 new student employees
- Oversee PALs leader observations and performance evaluations; provide ongoing and timely feedback to PALs leaders about performance
- Ensure student employees have necessary resources
- Oversee and direct the work of student employees; serve as mentor, coach, and leader, resolve complaints or issues in a timely manner; and, in consultation with the Assistant Director; take corrective action in a timely manner
- Promote professional development opportunities
- Communicate information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community
- Recognize and reward student employees for good performance
- Schedule student employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests
- Recognize the value of and promote a strong workforce. Value and encourage perspectives, creativity, and teamwork.

Assessment:
- Make programmatic decisions based on assessments of student and faculty involvement, success rates, GPA comparisons, and funding. Determine appropriate support structures based on faculty and student need, and data required by governing bodies
- Run queries on course success rates to inform decision making regarding courses with high need for support
- Oversee tracking of attendance, ensuring that appropriate recordkeeping and data management is maintained
- Develop and provide reports to track quality, participation, and results of courses supported by group tutoring
- Engage in research and evidence-based assessment; use reports and metrics to inform decision making for PALs programming
- Engage PALs leaders in assessment, program building, and marketing
- Schedule all PALs sessions and manage all daily operations related to supplemental instruction/group tutoring
- Monitor PALs engagement in courses and take responsibility for creating high quality programming

Marketing and Outreach:
- Manage regular communications, marketing strategies, and materials about PALs
- Work with Learning Commons Staff to ensure website has up-to-date information regarding all PALs offerings
- Work directly with advisors and faculty to support students in high-need and general education classes
- Participate actively in new student orientations (in Ellensburg and at the Centers), Centers visits, classroom visits, and other scheduled events to represent the Learning Commons

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree
• Experience creating and providing training opportunities
• At least one year of experience working in peer education, mentoring, advising, or coaching
• Experience conducting assessments and using data to inform decision making
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• College-level tutoring and/or teaching experience
• Experience teaching college success courses
• College-level coursework in a STEM field
• Supervisory experience
• Working knowledge of MS Office programs and student database management systems
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values

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: The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $46,662 - $62,500 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $45,303 to $63,424.

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

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: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

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: May 21, 2026

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

Name: Kristina Mageau
Title: Assistant Director Tutoring Programs
Email: Kristina.Mageau@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-1369
Website:/www.cwu.edu/academics/academic-resources/learning-commons/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 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.112.080 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 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

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 HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. 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 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.