Academic Advisor (TRiO)

Metropolitan-Community-College; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Community College seeks an experienced advisor to assist students with enrollment, course selection, fees, and financial aid options. The role involves guiding prospective and current students through admission requirements and program choices, ensuring adherence to policies, and coordinating with campus departments to support a smooth enrollment process.

The position requires strong customer service, excellent communication, and the ability to manage a caseload while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; one year experience in advising, education, counseling or financial aid preferred.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of academic program requirements and policies.
• Ability to assist students with enrollment processes and financial aid information.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with enrollment, course selection, and financial aid information.
• Provide information about admission requirements, policies, and degree/certification options.
• Assist with inquiries via phone, email, or in person and direct to appropriate departments.
• Review student files for eligibility and ensure compliance with policies.
• Coordinate advisement groups and collaborate with campus departments to support enrollment.
• Maintain student documentation and use databases for information retrieval.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Advising students

Policy and procedures knowledge

Confidentiality

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Incumbents assist students with academic programs which include enrollment processes, course offerings, fees, course selection, test scores, financial aid eligibility and options, and other resources that will help students meet their educational and occupational needs.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Limited duration position to end no later than August 31, 2031, but may be extended based upon funding. The Program has been continuously funded since 1979.

• Provide information and advice to current and prospective students regarding academic programs, admission and degree and certification requirements, application processes, applicable policies and procedures, resources, institutional scholarships, student aid, and/or financial or tuition information
• Provide assistance to students by exploring academic and financial resources and options, providing guidance regarding academic course selection, and reviewing academic progress (e.g. Satisfaction Academic Progress)
• Perform administrative tasks to include providing general information to students and other visitors via phone, email, or in person; addressing concerns and complaints from students or parents; scheduling caseload appointments; greeting visitors; and directing calls appropriate departments or personnel
• Review student files and other documentation to determine program/financial aid eligibility and ensure compliance with policies and procedures; work may involve ensuring that students meet academic and institutional requirements
• Coordinate activities and schedules of advisement groups and other operations to facilitate departmental tasks; work may also involve coordinating with internal and external personnel, department, and agencies, to communicate program information and facilitate departmental operations, including facilitating the achievement of students’ educational goals
• Complete Satisfaction Academic Progress (SAP) forms and ensure students remain in good standing; share program information from 4-year schools
• Utilize databases and other online systems to enter, retrieve, and/or research information and maintain student documentation
• Promote students’ sense of responsibility for his/her academic progress; train and assist students to navigate the student portal and online student services resources and processes
• Responsible for working with and tracking the progress of an assigned caseload of students
• Work closely with Student Services Specialists, Financial Aid, and other departments on campus to ensure a smooth overall enrollment process for students
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree*
• One (1) year experience related to advising, education, counseling or financial aid

*Minimum Education Qualification can be substituted with an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of academic program requirements
• Knowledge of customer service principles
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes
• Knowledge of workshop and program principles and operations
• Knowledge of presentation principles and practices
• Knowledge of diverse populations and cultures
• Knowledge of computers and related software applications.
• Skilled in advising students on applicable policies and procedures
• Skilled in interpreting academic program requirements
• Skilled in reviewing and processing paperwork, forms, and/or other related items
• Skilled in developing and implementing programs and workshops
• Skilled in maintaining confidentiality
• Skilled in resolving conflicts
• Skilled in using a computer and related software applications
• Skilled in providing customer service
• Skilled in utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others sufficient to exchange or convey information.

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, keyboarding, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Sedentary Work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.

Metropolitan Community College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, birth, ancestry, national origin, or disability.

Accommodations:

MCC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, MCC will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations in all aspects of employment, including the application process. To request an accommodation and/or a copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act application procedures, please contact the Office of Human Resources.