Academic Advisor

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement programs

Paid tuition program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

13 paid holidays

Job summary

University of South Carolina Upstate seeks an Academic Advisor to guide declared, undeclared, and prospective students in designing effective academic plans and pursuing NSE majors at USC Upstate.

Responsibilities include advising, career development, and coordinating programs to promote student success, with occasional travel for conferences. Requires a bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of related experience; a Master’s degree is preferred for advancement.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3+ years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Master’s degree with a minimum 1 year experience in higher education advising or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Navigate NSE majors through college enrollment and major transitions.
• Provide programming for student success and academic support initiatives.
• Maintain advising load and assist students in planning and executing their education goals.
• Ensure integrity of academic policies while acting as a student advocate.
• Cross-trained to assist with enrollment services during peak times.

Skills

Academic Advising

Communication

Organization

Data handling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a job related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Starfish

Microsoft Office

Database/Spreadsheet software

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

USC Upstate offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)

Anticipated Hiring Range $49,700 - $50,000; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Location of Vacancy

Location of Vacancy USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC

Part/Full Time

Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week 37.5

Work Schedule

USC Upstate standard office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. However, this position will involve some evening, weekend, and/or conference travel.

Basis

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Student Services

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Posting Summary Logo Posting Number STA00689PO26 Job Family Academic and Career Counseling Job Function Academic Advising USC Market Title Academic Advisor Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/131716 Job Level P3 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) Academic Advisor Campus Upstate Work County Spartanburg College/Division USC Upstate College/Division Level Department UPS Student Success Center State Pay Range G08 USC Market Range MRE - $49,700 $60,882 $72,065 Anticipated Hiring Range $49,700 - $50,000; Salary commensurate with education and experience. Location of Vacancy USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule USC Upstate standard office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. However, this position will involve some evening, weekend, and/or conference travel. Basis 12 months Job Search Category Student Services About USC About University of South Carolina From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Veterans' Preference Statement The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the \"Working at USC\" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Academic Advisor

University of South Carolina Upstate

STA00689PO26

Spartanburg, SC

Academic Advisors are responsible for advising declared, undeclared, and prospective students, promoting good advisement practices, and assisting with academic support. Academic advisors assess students’ needs, goals, interests, and prior academic experiences in order to guide students in the design and implementation of a successful academic plan. This position will serve NSE majors at the USC Upstate. Responsible for coordinating comprehensive programs and initiatives that promote student success, including academic support, professionalism and protocol training, and career development.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year experience in higher education academic advising, academic support services, first-year experience programming, career counseling or related field. Preferred exceptional leadership skills and excellent computer skills, written, and oral communication skills. Experience in student success initiatives, academic support, first year student programming, or counseling in high school or higher education required. Previous work experience with undergraduates in an institution of higher learning strongly preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities A successful background check is required. Knowledge of student success initiatives, academic support, first year student programming, or counseling in high school or higher education required. Excellent organizational, management, and office skills. Demonstrated skills working successfully in a high-traffic, high-demand environment and ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner. Information technology proficiency in database and spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office products.

USC Upstate standard office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. However, this position will involve some evening, weekend, and/or conference travel.

Job Duties Job Duty Navigate students through the major transitions of college enrollment. Provide programming for students as they enter, continue to enroll, and leave the institution. Maintains an advising load and works directly with students to accomplish educational goals. Key aspects include maintenance of the integrity of academic policies, while being a student advocate and fostering a culture of student responsibility and success, providing students with information about possible consequences of academic decisions, and creating plans of study. Must maintain current knowledge of degree programs.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20

Job Duty Assist students in the development of an educational plan including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty Oversee academic advising and registration for assigned NSE majors. Educate students about course planning and registration processes. Refer students to campus resources to meet individual needs.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty Improve student preparedness for job search activities and professionalism in the workplace.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10

Job Duty Assist with coordination of outreach to at-risk students.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10

Job Duty Maintains accurate data for reports and informed decision-making . Keeps advising statistics, work schedule, and other reporting documents up-to-date. Monitor and respond to students using advising software (Starfish).

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10

Job Duty Teach UNIV 101 (College Success Seminar).

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10

Job Duty Cross-trained to assist in enrollment services during peak times.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Job Duty Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 10/01/2026 Job Open Date 09/15/2026 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes

Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213222

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * This University of South Carolina Upstate position is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.Do you wish to continue applying for this position?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you willing and able to submit to a pre-employment background check that may include, but it is not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history as a condition of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year experience in higher education academic advising, academic support services, first-year experience programming, career counseling or related field?
  • Yes
  • No
• * The salary range for this position is $49,700 - $50,000 based on education and experience. Is this salary range acceptable to you?
  • Yes
  • No