Academic Advisor

An employee in this classification performs work of moderate difficulty providing educational guidance and assistance for students by planning schedules, recommending courses and identifying appropriate support systems to facilitate retention and completion. Work involves the ability to follow through, track and accurately document services provided and advancement of students. General supervision is received from the assigned manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :

1. Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field and one year of related experience working in education or human services; or, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
2. Good knowledge of student development theory including influences of culture, gender, class, environment, and age.
3. Good knowledge of college policies and practices impacting student enrollment, financial aid and graduation.
4. Some knowledge of college as well as community resources available for students to access.
5. Working skill in advising and coaching others including the ability to identify and support when a student requires additional professional help or resources.
6. Working skill in verbal and written communications.
7. Working skill in documenting student services in the appropriate electronic system.
8. Working skill in presenting information in a group setting or workshop.
9. Working skill in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and ability to operate a personal computer and various software packages.
10. Available to work days, evenings, and/or weekends to support the requirements of the department.
11. Designated positions may require bilingual, Spanish speaking, based on assigned population.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Master's degree in a related field desirable.

Essential Duties:

1. Provide academic advising focused on helping new, continuing and returning students with the exploration of their academic and career objectives
2. Establish a completion (education) plan for each student in assigned case load utilizing all available modalities to contact, advise, assist and monitor assigned students in successful completion of program requirements
3. Provide one-on-one personal and supportive services to students to address factors impacting college course/program retention success
4. Provide coverage for co-workers during times when Advising is short-staffed or is experiencing an increase in appointments or presentation requests
5. Assist the assigned manager, in conjunction with other Offices, with the development, coordination and implementation of a comprehensive student support system from admissions to completion by facilitating relevant workshops and participating in college events and initiatives (Transfer Fair, New Student Orientation, Early Alert, SOAP Intervention, etc.) that focus on increasing retention rates, course completion rates, graduation and/or transfer to either a college/university, or entering the workforce.
6. Provide academic support services to students including teaching them to utilize the technology to self-serve.
7. Work collaboratively with and refer students to other student services departments including, but not limited to, Wellness (Mental Health support) and Career Development Services
8. Make referrals to partnering external agencies such as the Student Assistance Program and social service agencies when appropriate, and assist with locating other referral sources as needed
9. Utilize available technology to monitor academic progress of students toward degree and/or certificate completion
10. May be assigned to an area of specialty such as program retention, degree specific programs or bilingual populations while demonstrating and maintaining an understanding of the work of peers in order to provide support as needed
11. Identify current and potential academic needs and trends and shares insights with supervisor, including potential solutions or next steps
12. Participate in professional activities including, but not limited to, NACADA (National Academic Advising Association), ILAAA (Illinois Academic Advising Association), IACAC (Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling), and other professional organizations and keeps up to date on applicable body of knowledge including sharing new information, research or resources with co-workers