Academic Advisor

USC Beaufort; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid tuition program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

13 paid holidays

Job summary

University of South Carolina Upstate is seeking an Academic Advisor to guide current and prospective students through their degree plans and course selections. You will assess needs, promote strong advisement practices, and support student success at the Student Success Center in Spartanburg.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and several years of higher education advising experience; occasional evening or weekend hours and travel may be needed. Salary ranges from $49,700 to $50,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3+ years of job-related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supporting student success and career exploration is preferred.
• Excellent organizational, management, and office skills; strong written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Navigate students through major transitions and assist with course planning.
• Maintain an advising load and help students accomplish educational goals.
• Provide academic advising for assigned majors and monitor registration.
• Explain degree requirements and help with degree planning and progress.
• Teach or contribute to UNIV 101 (College Success Seminar) and participate in open houses and recruitment events.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Office software

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

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 STA00816PO26 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. Position Description Advertised Job Summary Academic Advisor University of South Carolina Upstate STA00816PO26 Spartanburg, SC Academic Advisors are responsible for advising current and prospective students, promoting good advisement practices, and assisting with academic support. Academic advisors assess students needs, goals, interests, and prior academic experiences to guide students in designing and implementing a successful academic plan. Advisors are also responsible for promoting student success, including academic support and career exploration. This position will primarily serve Interdisciplinary Studies majors and is assigned by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success. 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. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Successful background check is required. Ability to work and motivate traditional as well as nontraditional students, strong computer and interpersonal skills required. 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. Excellent organizational, management, and office skills. Demonstrated experience 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. 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 maintaining 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. Assists students during OAR and participates in open house events, FAB Friday, and other student recruitment events. Complete plans of study. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 25 Job Duty Conduct preliminary evaluations of transfer credits and their applicability to degree requirements in collaboration with the IDS Director for both prospective and admitted students. Ensure students receive maximum transfer credit and an optimized degree audit upon admission. Work with students to clarify educational goals and align them with appropriate Interdisciplinary Studies ( IDS ) programs. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty Provide academic advising for assigned majors and monitor student registration. Educate students about course planning and registration processes. Refer students to campus resources to meet individual needs. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty Implement targeted outreach to students with at-risk factors. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty Improve students career readiness through major exploration and referral to appropriate campus programs and services. 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 (Navigate 360). Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty Teach UNIV 101 (College Success Seminar). Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty Other duties as assigned. 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 12/01/2026 Job Open Date 10/30/2026 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes

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

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Optional Documents

• Other Supporting Documents
• List of References and Contact Information