ACADEMIC ADVISOR /SENIOR ACADEMIC ADVISOR

Company: Virginia Commonwealth University
Location: Richmond
Posted on: October 30, 2024

Job Description:

Academic Advisor /Senior Academic Advisor

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.

Job Code
10213

Recruitment Pool
All Applicants

Posting Number
req6302

Unit
College of Humanit and Sciences MBU

Department
Office of Student Services, College of Humanities and Sciences

Department Website Link
https://chs.vcu.edu/

Location
VCU

Address
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA

Duties & Responsibilities

Summary:

The Office of Student Services inthe VCU College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) is recruiting for an advisingposition at the Academic Advisor or Senior Academic Advisor level for studentsin the Environmental Studies major. The incumbent to this position will sustain an environment of effective academic advisingfor undergraduate students in the College in order to support VCU being aleader among national research universities in providing all students withhigh-quality learning/living experiences focused on inquiry, discovery andinnovation in a global environment; and to provide resources to improve thestudent to advisor ratio departments and schools within the College ofHumanities and Sciences. Meeting these needs will improve student engagement througheffective academic advising, while supporting the identified metrics ofgraduation rates and retention.

The VCU job series for this position is Academic Advisor/Senior AcademicAdvisor in the Academic and Faculty Affairs job family. For more information,please see the VCU Human Resources' Job Family and Salary Ranges site athttps://insidehr.vcu.edu/guidelines/compensation/job-families-and-salary-ranges/.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will add your military years ofservice to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leaveaccrual!

Job-Specific Duties

This position requires a highdegree of confidentiality. The main purpose is to sustain an environment ofeffective academic advising for undergraduate students in the respectiveprogram. The person must exercise professional judgment in the following ways:
1. Provide correct up-to-date information about all College andprogram-specific academic program requirements.
2. Provide correct interpretations of University and College rules andregulations.
3. Be comfortable and accurate in answering pointed questions from parents andstudents about graduation issues.
4. Be able to tell students they lack requirements for graduation and offersuggestions for completion of the needed requirements (including possiblesubstitutions or waivers of degree requirements).
5. Follow appropriate protocol for situations involving Title IX or FERPA.

1. Provide academic advising services to assigned students:
--- Advise students regarding: departmental, College, and University policies andprocedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academicplans.
--- Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.
--- Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, skills andacademic goals and in making decisions regarding their academic career.
--- Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academicexperience, facilitate their academic and personal development, and support theireducational success.
--- Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University,make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.
--- Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students.
--- Make appropriate referrals to other university resources.
--- Assist students in the online graduation checkout.
--- Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional developmentactivities.

2. Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact studentrecruitment, success, and retention:
--- Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives (e.g., OpenHouse, Preview Day).
--- Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation.
--- Support departmental and University retention initiatives.
--- Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.

3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information, includingadvising interactions:
--- Document all advising interactions with students.
--- Maintain training on policies including Title IX and FERPA.
--- Maintain accurate and confidential records on students.

4. Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advisingcheckpoints:
--- Use the Navigate advising platform to establish targeted student populationsfor more intensive advising.
--- Use DegreeWorks to determine a student's progress in completing degreerequirements.
--- Meet all assigned advisees at least once a semester.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Preferredhiring standards for the Academic Advisor 3 position:
--- One year of advising experience at VCU with STEMstudents or exploratory students.
--- Educational Background in a STEM discipline.
--- Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualizedcounseling in higher education.

Preferredhiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor position:
--- A minimum of 3 years professional advisingexperience or equivalent experience in a related career field.
--- Two years of advising experience at VCU with STEM students or exploratorystudents.
--- Completion of coursework or training related to diversity, equity, andinclusion as well as topics related to leadership such as conflict resolution, coaching/mentoring,communication styles, or navigating change.
--- Educational Background in a STEM discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimumhiring standards for the Academic Advisor 3 position:
--- Master's degree from an accredited institution.
--- A minimum of two years of full-time advising experience working directly withstudents in a college or university setting.
--- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, andstudent environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
--- Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.
--- Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.
--- Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Minimumhiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor position:
--- Master's degree from an accredited institution.
--- 3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education,training, and experience.
--- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, andstudent environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
--- Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualizedcounseling in higher education.
--- Understand curricula information (including program of study and generaleducation requirements) for areas of advising specialization.
--- Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.
--- Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.
--- Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Salary Range:
Academic Advisor 3: $53,820 -$58,860
Senior Academic Advisor 1-3: $58,860 - $64,980

Job-Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands:
Lighting (Emotional Demands:
Fast pace, Essential
Average pace, Essential
Multiple stimuli, Essential
Frequent change, Essential
Intense customer interaction, Essential

Memory/Sensory Demands:
Memory, Essential
Reasoning, Essential
Hearing, Essential
Reading, Essential
Analyzing, Essential
Logic, Essential
Verbal communication, Essential
Written communication, Essential

FLSA
University Employee

Job FTE
1

Exemption Status
Exempt

Restricted Position

E-Class
UF - University Employee FT

Job Category
Academic Professional

ORP Eligible
Yes

Salary Range
$53,820 to $64,980

Compensation Type
Salaried

Target Hire Date
11/10/2024

Contact Information for Candidates

Alaina Campbell
ahcampbell@vcu.edu

Documents Needed to Apply
Cover Letter, resume, diversity statement, three professional references with contact information.

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