ORGANIZATION

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 720+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Recruitment & Community Engagement Coordinator provides operational and administrative support to families interested in applying to the Rainier Scholars – Seattle program, and helps facilitate partnerships with community organizations and schools.

Each year, Rainier Scholars – Seattle receives around 300 applications for approximately 64 spots. This role coordinates the logistics of that recruitment and selection cycle, from information meetings and student assessments through cohort selection. As the primary point of contact for prospective families throughout the application process, the Recruitment & Community Engagement Coordinator is expected to build and maintain close working relationships both with staff at partner schools and with prospective Rainier Scholars families. This position reports to the Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement.

The tasks listed below outline a general framework; not a fixed job description. Flexibility and continued quality improvement are part of how we work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Scheduling, Logistics, & Event Coordination (50%):

Update recruitment marketing materials in collaboration with Director of Recruitment and the Marketing & Communications team
Coordinate and book locations for information meetings and testing
Recruit current Rainier Scholars students and families to speak at information meetings
Schedule translators for information meetings
Identify and train proctors for student assessments; supervise student activity during assessments.
Communicate with schools and families to procure student transcripts
Develop and maintain recruitment records and files in Salesforce (CRM)
Read student application files and participate in cohort selection, including scoring and deliberation discussions.
Maintain accurate records of decisions made during deliberations to select new cohort
Order, organize, and maintain materials and supplies for all recruitment events.
Contribute to the annual evaluation of the recruitment and application process (e.g. compiling data, sharing feedback, participating in a post-cycle debrief).

2. Family Engagement & Communication (25%):

Assist the Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement in planning and executing family information meetings and webinars for families in Seattle and surrounding areas
Serve as a point of contact for prospective families, providing information and support throughout the application process. Send reminders to families via text, email and phone calls regarding meetings, application status, testing, student assessments, and enrollment forms
Participate in home visits for incoming Rainier Scholars – Seattle families prior to the beginning of their first summer experience

3. Community Outreach & Engagement (25%):

Support the Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement in developing and executing Rainier Scholars – Seattle’s community engagement strategy, including identifying and developing partnerships with community organizations
Coordinate communication with schools, community agencies, and families to build trusting relationships and generate interest in the program
Represent Rainier Scholars at community events and school meetings
Identify schools, community organizations of target-profile prospective applicants
Assist with identification of potential applicants, with a specific focus on Multi-Generational African American and Latino families

Other duties in line with operation and administrative support and organizational priorities may be assigned.

The approximate allocation of focus reflects the nature of the role and may shift based on organizational priorities.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

REQUIRED:

Bachelor's degree in a related field
1–3 years working in education, an education-related field, or in a youth development or community-serving organization
Experience working with students and families of color including those for whom English is not their first language
Comfort managing high-volume, deadline-driven processes — this role coordinates roughly 300 applications annually for 64 spots
High attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in managing records, deadlines, and selection documentation
Experience coordinating logistics for structured events (testing sessions, meetings, or similar), including scheduling proctors, translators, and vendors
Service mentality toward families, with sound judgment and discretion handling confidential information
Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and Salesforce or a comparable database
This position requires a vehicle, a valid driver's license, and active insurance coverage. Federal mileage reimbursement for work travel is provided.

DESIRED:

Seattle residency and/or deep connection to the Seattle community
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish
Proficiency with data entry and reporting in a CRM or database system

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, & WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Compensation for this role is $30.77 - $32.69 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer-paid medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave, and holiday pay.

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Seattle office, with 3 days/week working in-person. This role requires some work in the evenings and weekends, with additional on-site evening hours and occasional Saturdays required during peak application season (November – April). This schedule is subject to change as needs arise. 

To successfully perform the essential functions of this role, this role is occasionally required to lift, carry, and maneuver materials weighing up to 20+ lbs, including transporting items to and from community sites, with or without reasonable accommodation. In addition, this role is regularly required to process complex information accurately, maintain strict confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment and active listening, including during high-volume recruitment season, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Rainier Scholars is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact peopleandculture@rainierscholars.org.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit their application by September 2, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.

Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable and inclusive environment for scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and strongly encourage people of color, first-generation college graduates, and people from working-class backgrounds to apply. 

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site