Academic Advisor

Virginia's Community College System; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Peninsula Community College is seeking an Academic Advisor to support curricular students with academic development, course selections, and progress toward their degree.

The role involves coordinating transfer services, orientation, and retention initiatives, with opportunities to design and lead student success workshops; requires strong communication, confidentiality, and the ability to work both independently and in teams.

Qualifications

• Commitment to issues related to student access, enrollment, and retention.
• Knowledge of best practices in academic advising, student development and student learning outcomes.
• Knowledge of college transfer procedures, including Transfer Virginia and Articulation Agreements.
• Knowledge of using data to identify patterns and trends in student performance.
• Ability to adhere to FERPA policies and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising to curricular students on requirements, course choices and progress toward degree.
• Support transfer services, new student orientation, retention initiatives and other student learning activities.
• Plan, develop and present advising and student success workshops for faculty, staff and students.
• Assist students with complex academic and personal issues and refer to additional resources as needed.

Skills

Advising

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Critical thinking

Tools

CANVAS

TES

PeopleSoft

Navigate

Zoom

Job description

Working Title Academic Advisor Role Title Education Support Spec III Role Code 29144-SW FLSA Exempt Pay Band 04 Position Number 29300095, 29300388 Agency Virginia Peninsula Community College Division Virginia Peninsula Community College (Div) Work Location Hampton - 650 Hiring Range $49,500 - $50,500 Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category 2-Professionals Full Time or Part Time Full Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? Work Schedule

Schedule may vary with working hours between 8am - 7pm, Monday - Friday.

Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Sensitive Position No Job Description

Virginia Peninsula Community College changes lives, empowers students to succeed, and enhances the social and economic vitality of the region through high quality education and workforce training, excellent service, and innovative partnerships.

The Office of Advising provides an ongoing and collaborative process that connects students to programs of study, transfer services and varying services and information related to the college in efforts to support student goal attainment and student success.

The Academic Advisor is responsible for performing a variety of academic advising and support services to include individual/group advising services to curricular students in the areas of academic development and performance, personal growth development, decision making, college policies and procedural processes. Providing support and participating in transfer services, new student orientation, retention initiatives, and other activities to support student learning. The Academic Advisor will provide guidance on academic requirements, course selections, and academic progress and assist with the development of an individualized educational plan. This position will plan, develop, and present advising and student success workshops to faculty, staff, and/or Virginia Peninsula students and perform other duties as assigned

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Required

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Commitment to issues related to student access, enrollment, and retention.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of best practices in academic advising, student development and student learning outcomes.
• Knowledge of different degree programs offered by the institution, including the specific requirements for each major.
• Knowledge of usage of data and analytics to identify patterns and trends in student performance. This data helps them make informed decisions about how to best support individual students and improve advising programs.
• Knowledge of academic advising theories that promote proactive and persistent engagement with students to support their academic success.
• Specific knowledge of college transfer procedures - including but limited to Transfer Virginia, Guaranteed Admission Agreements and Articulation Agreements.
• General knowledge of office systems, practices, and administration.

Skills

• Highly effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, active listening, group facilitation and presentation skills.

Abilities

• Ability to quickly learn VPCC programs of study, academic requirements, policies and procedures, academic and student support resources and programs and adhere to outlined procedures.
• Ability to market program services to students, college community and the public.
• Ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public and all stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate critical thinking skills - exercising logic, rational reasoning, sound judgment, discretion and the most appropriate decision-making strategies to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate procedures and work methods and use appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and work methods.
• Ability to assist students with complex academic and personal issues. The ability to analyze problems and develop solutions is crucial.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment with minimal errors and appropriate professional and emotional responses to various matters.
• Ability to work independently, while at the same time working as a part of a high functioning team.
• Proficiency in using computer software and academic advising tools to access and update student records, create academic plans, and utilize advising software.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Ability to function independently and direct students to resources and refer to other partner services.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA policies.
• Ability to participate on college related initiatives and committees as appropriate or necessary.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and the ability to develop healthy effective working relationships with supervisor, administration, divisions, staff and other community individuals and groups.
• Competence and ability to quickly learn the use of multiple technology systems including, but not limited to: Microsoft software, CANVAS, TES, PeopleSoft, Navigate, Zoom and any other required technology.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in advising students.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.

Operation of a State Vehicle Yes. Supervises Employees No. Required Travel: Minimal.

Special Instructions to Applicants

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Background Check Statement Disclaimer

The selected candidate's offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth's Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.