Academic Counselor

Wilton Rancheria; Elk Grove (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilton Rancheria is seeking an Academic Counselor to provide academic counseling, educational planning, student support, and case management for Tribal Citizens and eligible students from K–12 through postsecondary education at the Wilton Rancheria Tribal Office in Elk Grove, CA.

You will assess educational needs, develop success plans, monitor progress, and coordinate referrals to tutoring, disability services, counseling, and financial aid resources while maintaining confidentiality and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in counseling, education, student services, social work, or related field.
• Experience with academic advising, student support, counseling, or educational services.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and coordinate multiple assignments.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized academic counseling to Tribal Citizen students and eligible participants.
• Assist students in identifying short and long-term educational goals.
• Develop individualized academic success plans with students.
• Monitor student academic progress and provide follow-up.
• Assist with course selection, graduation requirements, and educational pathways.
• Provide referrals to tutoring, disability services, counseling, and related resources.

Skills

Academic counseling

Student services

Caseload management

Communication skills

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling, education, student services, social work, or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: 9728 KENT ST - ELK GROVE, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Job Title: Academic Counselor

Department: Education

Reports to: Executive Director of Education

Supervises: None

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Wilton Rancheria Tribal Office (Elk Grove, CA)

Position Summary:

The Academic Counselor independently provides academic counseling, educational planning, student support, and case management services to Wilton Rancheria Tribal Citizens and eligible students from K–12 through postsecondary education. The position exercises professional judgment in assessing educational needs, developing academic success plans, monitoring student progress, and determining appropriate support strategies, resources, and referrals.

The Academic Counselor independently manages assigned student services and caseload responsibilities, working directly with students, families, educational institutions, and community partners. The position operates within established Department policies and programs and provides the Executive Director of Education with regular updates, data, reports, and recommendations regarding student needs, educational barriers, and opportunities for program improvement.

The Academic Counselor has substantial independence in carrying out assigned professional responsibilities but does not have independent authority over Department policy, budgets, personnel decisions, contracts, or executive-level Department decisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized academic counseling to Tribal Citizen students and eligible participants.
• Assist students in identifying short and long-term educational goals.
• Develop individualized academic success plans with students.
• Monitor student academic progress and provide appropriate follow-up.
• Assist students with course selection, graduation requirements, academic planning, and educational pathways.
• Provide academic support and referrals to tutoring, mentoring, disability services, counseling, and other appropriate resources.
• Assist K–12 students and families in navigating school systems and educational requirements.
• Provide support related to Student Success Team (SST) meetings and processes.
• Assist families in understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and connect them with appropriate school or advocacy resources.
• Assist students and families with educational transition planning.
• Provide postsecondary academic advising and student success support.
• Assist college students with degree planning, course planning, academic requirements, and completion strategies.
• Provide guidance regarding college admissions, application requirements, deadlines, essays, and personal statements.
• Provide referrals regarding financial aid, scholarships, grants, and other educational resources.
• Provide information about colleges, universities, Tribal colleges, community colleges, vocational programs, and other educational opportunities.
• Provide support to students experiencing academic challenges and identify appropriate interventions.
• Conduct student outreach and follow-up.
• Maintain appropriate student case-management records.
• Document counseling contacts, referrals, services, and follow-up activities.
• Provide information and assistance related to approved Tribal scholarship and educational assistance programs.
• Assist students with scholarship and educational assistance applications as assigned.
• Review applications for completeness.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and family information.
• Participate in educational meetings, parent meetings, workshops, and community events as assigned.
• Develop professional relationships with schools, colleges, universities, and educational service providers.
• Incorporate culturally responsive practices into academic counseling and student services.
• Promote student connections to Wilton Rancheria culture, community, history, and educational opportunities.
• Identify recurring student needs and provide recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Prepare reports and summaries regarding assigned student services and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Knowledge of K–12 and postsecondary educational systems and educational pathways.
• Knowledge of academic advising, educational planning, and student success practices.
• Knowledge of college admissions and post-secondary educational pathways.
• General knowledge of financial aid, scholarships, grants, and educational assistance resources.
• Knowledge of student support and case-management practices.
• General understanding of SST and IEP processes and available student and family resources.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills.
• Ability to establish positive and professional relationships with students and families.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with schools, colleges, universities, educational service providers, and community partners.
• Ability to assess educational needs and determine appropriate academic support strategies, resources, and referrals.
• Ability to independently manage an assigned student caseload and multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to collect, organize, and summarize student-service and program data.
• Ability to maintain accurate, organized, and confidential student records.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and work independently within established Department policies, procedures, and programs.
• Ability to recognize matters outside the scope or authority of the position and refer them appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with Tribal Citizens, families, and the Tribal community.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural awareness and respect for Wilton Rancheria values, history, traditions, and community priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, education, student services, social work, human services, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience providing academic advising, student support, counseling, case management, or educational services.
• Experience working with K–12 or postsecondary students.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential records.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate multiple assignments, activities, and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with community members, youth, families, staff, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to learn about and work respectfully within Wilton Rancheria's culture, history, community, and priorities.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening and comply with applicable background check and drug screening requirements throughout employment.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be able and willing to travel as required for training, meetings, program activities, and other official Tribal business.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted California driver's license and be insurable under Wilton Rancheria's auto insurance requirements.

The following education and experience are desirable but not required:

• Master's degree in counseling, education, student affairs, social work, or a related field.
• Experience working with Tribal education programs.
• Knowledge of Tribal higher education scholarship programs.
• Experience with IEP and SST processes.
• Experience with college admissions and financial aid.
• Experience providing case management services.
• Experience working with first-generation college students or students facing educational barriers.
• Experience working with children, youth, and families.
• Experience working for a Tribal government, Tribal organization, or Native American community, including experience with Tribal education or youth programs.

Hiring Preference Policy

Among qualified applicants, preference is given to Wilton Rancheria Tribal Members, then to spouses of Wilton Rancheria Tribal Members, and to other Native Americans. All applicants claiming preference must submit verification of their Native American heritage which includes, but is not limited to, a letter confirming Tribal enrollment or a Tribal enrollment card.