Academic Counselor

Lawson State Community College; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawson State Community College seeks an Academic Counselor to provide personalized academic support and guidance to students through one-on-one sessions, workshops, and targeted outreach. This role enhances student development, academic success, and retention through strategic advising and programming.

This non-tenure-track position focuses on promoting academic success, study skills, and career pathways, with occasional evenings and weekend work required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s preferred in counseling, student affairs, academic counseling, or a related field from a regionally accredited university.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience providing academic counseling, advising, or student support services at the post-secondary level.
• Excellent written, verbal, listening, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience in data collection, evaluation, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Review students’ academic histories and collaborate with assigned academic advisors to support appropriate course selection aligned with their degree plans.
• Use assessment tools to identify learning styles and develop individualized academic success plans to enhance retention and graduation.
• Teach students study skills and learning strategies to help them become confident, independent learners.
• Guide students in developing habits that promote academic and lifelong success.
• Assist students in understanding and engaging with challenging material, improving focus, and increasing reading comprehension and content retention.
• Monitor academic progress each semester to identify students facing academic difficulties and provide timely interventions (meeting with students 2–3 times per semester).

Skills

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Customer service

Critical thinking

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Educational software

Zoom

Facebook

Twitter

Job description

Position Summary

The Academic Counselor provides personalized academic support and guidance to students through one‑on‑one engagement, workshops, and targeted outreach. This role is focused on enhancing student development, academic success, and retention through strategic advising and educational programming. The Academic Counselor helps students build strong study habits, overcome academic challenges, and work toward their personal, academic, and professional goals. In addition, the Academic Counselor works to enhance and support student communication skills, professional engagement, and self‑awareness, empowering students to take ownership of their educational journey and future career pathways.

This position is on a non‑tenure track and is ineligible for non‑probationary status due to finite funding and duration as provided in Alabama Code 16-24C-4(3)(b).

Salary Schedule: Appropriate placement on Salary Schedule C3 03 ($49,215- $80,401) based on experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review students’ academic histories and collaborate with assigned academic advisors to support appropriate course selection aligned with their degree plans.
• Use assessment tools to identify learning styles and develop individualized academic success plans to enhance retention and graduation.
• Teach students study skills and learning strategies to help them become confident, independent learners.
• Guide students in developing habits that promote academic and lifelong success.
• Assist students in understanding and engaging with challenging material, improving focus, and increasing reading comprehension and content retention.
• Monitor academic progress each semester to identify students facing academic difficulties and provide timely interventions (meeting with students 2–3 times per semester).
• Serve as a liaison between students and faculty to address concerns related to grades, withdrawals, and academic performance.
• Utilize syllabi to help students organize and balance academic and personal responsibilities effectively.
• Facilitate individual and group sessions on goal setting, soft skills development, communication, and critical thinking.
• Coordinate and participate in college and cultural enrichment tours, acting as a liaison during visits. Transport students using the college van as needed. Evening and weekend work may be required.
• Collaborate with Transfer and Career Services to connect students with scholarships, transfer opportunities, internships, and other support services. This includes assisting students with access to essential resources such as childcare, transportation, food and clothing insecurities, all aimed at increasing student retention and degree completion.
• Assist the Director in designing and implementing program activities, including newsletters, flyers, and promotional materials. Lead both virtual and in‑person orientation sessions and educational seminars that address academic success, organizational skills, academic resumes, scholarships, career choices, financial literacy, and mental health awareness. Coordinate relaxation and wellness sessions, such as painting, yoga, and walking, to help reduce stress and promote overall well‑being among participants.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records of student contacts, academic progress, and outcomes using Blumen BOT software.
• Provide academic support in labs and lead technology workshops to help students effectively use digital tools for academic success.
• Conduct structured study sessions in a safe, collaborative environment.
• Manage and update the department’s social media platforms, promoting engagement and student participation.
• Oversee recruitment and activities of the Student Advisory Committee, including organizing community and campus‑based volunteer opportunities. Evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Support the college’s mission by participating in campus‑wide events, trainings, and initiatives.
• Build and maintain positive, productive relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or appropriate administrator.

Qualifications

• REQUIRED EDUCATION, STANDARDS, AND TRAINING:
• Bachelor’s required; Master’s degree preferred in counseling, student affairs, academic counseling, or a related field from a regionally accredited university.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience providing academic counseling, advising, or student support services at the post‑secondary level.
• OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent written, verbal, listening, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, punctuality, and attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to identify student needs and develop tailored academic support strategies.
• Experience in data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
• Sensitivity to and experience working with low‑income, first‑generation, and underrepresented students.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other educational software; familiarity with both PC and Mac environments.
• Experience with virtual learning platforms and social media tools (Zoom, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, with a commitment to delivering excellent student service.
• Knowledge of institutional policies and academic procedures.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining accurate records and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast pace environment and multi‑task
• Strong professional presence, confidentiality, and reliability.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to follow through and complete assignments on time.

The Academic Counselor job description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned. This job description and specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor. By affixing my signature below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and can perform the essential functions of this position.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, AND BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:

Lawson State Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Lawson State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants upon request. In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and Guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Lawson State Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.