Academic Advisor

Elgin Community College; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life and Long-Term Disability

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Plans (Pension, 457b, 403b)

Paid Time Off

Professional Development/Expense

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Sick Banks

Job summary

Elgin Community College seeks an educational advisor to guide students in exploring academic and career objectives and to establish completion plans. The role involves documenting services, following up on progress, and coordinating with campus resources for student success.

You will support diverse student populations, work flexible hours, and contribute to retention initiatives through workshops and collaboration with other offices. A bachelor's degree is required, with a master's preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Human Services, or related field and one year of related experience.
• Knowledge of student development theory including culture, gender, class, environment and age.
• Knowledge of college policies affecting enrollment, financial aid and graduation.
• Knowledge of college and community resources for students.
• Ability to advise and coach others and identify when extra help is needed.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to document student services in electronic systems.
• Ability to present information in group settings or workshops.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer/software usage.
• Availability to work days, evenings, and/or weekends.
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency may be required depending on population.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising focused on new, continuing and returning students.
• Establish an education plan for each student and monitor progress toward completion.
• Offer one-on-one personalized support to address retention factors.
• Cover for coworkers when advising is short-staffed or busy.
• Assist with developing a comprehensive student support system and college events.
• Provide academic support including teaching technology self-help.
• Collaborate with Wellness and Career Development Services as needed.
• Make referrals to external agencies and other resources when appropriate.
• Use technology to monitor progress toward degree or certificate completion.
• Possibly specialize in areas like program retention or bilingual populations.
• Share insights on needs and trends with supervisor and implement solutions.
• Participate in professional associations and stay current with knowledge.

Skills

Student advising

Communication skills

Verbal and written communications

Documentation in electronic system

Group presentation skills

Microsoft Office

Time management

Bilingual Spanish (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Human Services, or related field

Master's degree in a related field desirable

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About ECC:

Elgin Community College serves over 9,000 students at every stage of their educational journeys, including university transfer programs, career and technical education, continuing education classes, and adult basic education. As a community, we pride ourselves on nurturing a welcoming campus where every person—students, staff members, faculty members, and campus visitors—feels valued. The work of each ECC employee is central to the college’s mission, and as an employer, the college fosters a positive environment through professional challenges, excellent benefits, and opportunities for recognition and camaraderie.

Work Schedule:

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Rate of Pay:

This is a Full-Time Support Staff position at grade 14, with an annual salary range of $55,482 to $73,976 The salary offer will be based on education and experience, in alignment with the College’s compensation philosophy and the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), if applicable.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Commuter)
• Retirement Plans (Pension, 457b, 403b)
• Time Off with Pay
• Professional Development/Expense
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick Banks

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Grant Funded:

No

Job Summary:

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. 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. 2. Good knowledge of student development theory including influences of culture, gender, class, environment, and age.
3. 3. Good knowledge of college policies and practices impacting student enrollment, financial aid and graduation.
4. 4. Some knowledge of college as well as community resources available for students to access.
5. 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. 6. Working skill in verbal and written communications.
7. 7. Working skill in documenting student services in the appropriate electronic system.
8. 8. Working skill in presenting information in a group setting or workshop.
9. 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. 10. Available to work days, evenings, and/or weekends to support the requirements of the department.
11. 11. Designated positions may require bilingual, Spanish speaking, based on assigned population.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Master's degree in a related field desirable.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.

Essential Duties:

1. 1. Provide academic advising focused on helping new, continuing and returning students with the exploration of their academic and career objectives
2. 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. 3. Provide one-on-one personal and supportive services to students to address factors impacting college course/program retention success
4. 4. Provide coverage for co-workers during times when Advising is short-staffed or is experiencing an increase in appointments or presentation requests
5. 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. 6. Provide academic support services to students including teaching them to utilize the technology to self-serve.
7. 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. 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. 9. Utilize available technology to monitor academic progress of students toward degree and/or certificate completion
10. 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. 11. Identify current and potential academic needs and trends and shares insights with supervisor, including potential solutions or next steps
12. 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

Other Duties:

1. 1. Perform other duties as assigned which pertain to the job description.
2. 2. Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes days/evenings/weekends as needed by the department.

Physical Demands:

Sedentary (up to 10 lbs occasionally, sitting most of the time)

Visual Acuity:

Close visual acuity (e.g. computer, assembly)

Work Environment:

Moderate noise

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office or administrative

If more than one environmental condition should be included, please add them here.

Current SSECCA Union Member Information:

The initial posting date for this position is 09/29/2026. Elgin Community College Support Staff Association (SSECCA) members that apply by 10/06/2026 and meet the posted minimum qualifications will receive full consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Elgin Community College does not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination, against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender/gender identity, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law in matters of admissions, employment, or in any aspect of the educational programs or activities it offers.

In addition, Elgin Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment practices, educational opportunities, and programs and services. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the College’s EEO/AA Officer. Determinations on request for a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.