Graduate Academic Advisor

California Institute of Integral Studies; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Institute of Integral Studies seeks a Graduate Academic Advisor to enhance the student experience through proactive engagement and support. The advisor will work in a collaborative environment, offering guidance on academic progress and career development while serving as an advocate for students. This role is integral to fostering a supportive graduate culture and requires strong interpersonal skills and a bachelor's degree.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Strong knowledge of information technology systems.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise graduate students across multiple modalities and monitor academic progress.
• Resolve academic conflicts and facilitate discussions.
• Serve as a liaison with other university departments.

Skills

Advising techniques

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

Information technology systems

Job description

California Institute of Integral StudiesJob Posting: Graduate Academic Advisor

About California Institute of Integral Studies:

California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is an internationally recognized leader in integral education. CIIS strives to embody spirit, intellect, and wisdom in service of individuals, communities, and the earth. CIIS has an enrollment of over 2,000 students pursuing degrees and professional certificates in a variety of academic programs in its schools of Consciousness and Transformation, Professional Psychology and Health, Undergraduate Studies, and our research centers and global initiatives.

CIIS is a mosaic of faces and philosophies, and backgrounds and beliefs. Like our faculty and staff, students are intellectually engaged and socially active. Each day brings new experiences that broaden horizons and hone critical thinking. Programs, both inside the classroom and throughout the University, inspire creativity, nurture community, cultivate curiosity, and foster social good. In addition, CIIS offers a dynamic array of events through its Public Programs, including conversations, workshops, continuing education, and conferences and hosts a vibrant art exhibition series. The University also provides low-cost mental health services to the San Francisco Bay Area through its 6 award-winning community counseling clinics. CIIS is accredited by the Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

CIIS strives to cultivate a culture of inclusion and belonging as part of its Seven Commitments . More than accept difference, we honor and celebrate our staff's diversity of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. In turn, our diverse and inclusive culture brings us together in ways that empower everyone to connect, belong, and grow.

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Academic Services Manager, the Graduate Academic Advisor will be responsible for proactively engaging students to ensure a high-quality graduate student experience that sets students up for persistence and completion. Academic Advisors apply the core principles of the Student Engagement Lifecycle (SELC), best practices in the field, and emerging research and assessment to advise students in their academic planning and progress, career exploration and development, and personal growth and development. The Graduate Academic Advisor will be expected to work actively in a team environment with students to enhance the graduate culture of the University.

The Graduate Academic Advisor will proactively engage and advise graduate students in one-on-one and group settings, across multiple modalities including phone, face to face, virtual, and email. This individual will interpret and apply university policies and procedures to assist students in navigating their academic programs and resolving problems. This individual will serve as an advocate for the students in the campus community, assist students in resolving problems and challenges and proactively engage in registration outreach. The Graduate Academic Advisor will establish and maintain working relationships with faculty and develop a thorough understanding of all aspects and nuances of the academic programs and curricular options. Finally, the Graduate Academic Advisor will engage in planning and executing continual personal and professional development as a Student Affairs professional; fully engage with the profession through participation in national and regional associations, be a good consumer of emerging research in the field and make the link between theory and research t

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as lead advisor for graduate students for several assigned academic departments. Independently advise students and resolve student-related issues on the full range of academic issues and other matters. Assess student needs, goals, problems, and personal adjustments relating to or affecting their academic performance, including sensitive and confidential student welfare issues?resolution of which contributes to holisitic graduate student retention.
• Counsel and advise continuing and on-leave students regarding degree requirements and programs, course selection, academic probation, corrective action and/or dismissal, leaves, sub-specialties within the degree programs and cooperative programs, transfer credits, and exceptions to requirements.
• Monitor the academic progress of graduate students throughout the year, and alert faculty advisors of any potential problems. Provide information and support to faculty during the annual graduate student review. Determine status of each student's academic progress and make recommendations to faculty in determining a course of action for students who are not making normal progress towards the degree. Keep program chairs apprised of student's progress or lack of progress.
• Resolve academic conflicts, facilitate discussions as needed, and provide mediation in matters involving the academic needs of graduate students. Interact compassionately and diplomatically with students. Use professional judgment to make referrals as appropriate to campus and community supportive services.
• Serve as a liaison and resource to personnel in other offices including the Student Services office, Registrar's, and academic departments to resolve problems, coordinate activities, and verify information.
• Applying professional student services concepts, the position provides the full range of student services to the graduate student population served by the departments including advising continuing students on all aspects of their degree programs, registration and enrollment guidance, and monitoring and recording student progress.
• Maintain up-to-date understanding of curricular requirements for all academic major and concentrations; maintain familiarity with the academic programs and requirements; show students how to assess their degree progress through graduation.
• Advise students across all majors and academic interests (through one-to-one advising, email and phone communications, workshop presentations, large group presentations) while developing and sustaining initiatives that holistically support student success; participate in staff virtual office hours.
• Participate in orientation programs to ensure incoming students receive necessary and relevant information for their program.
• Understand explicitly and be accountable for the correct application and communication of CIIS academic policies (including FERPA), deadlines, and procedures.
• Manage advising initiatives (e.g., graduation/degree clearance process, probation/at-risk student support, transfer course approval process, etc.). Help review and monitor student advising records, including degree audits/graduation clearance, degree checks, transcripts, and student registration records.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience. Incumbent will be expected to continue developing knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes and changing technologies.
• Knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Strong knowledge of information technology systems and demonstrated ability to use computer software systems for word processing, database manipulation, electronic mail and spreadsheet software. Willingness and ability to update and increase computer skills and knowledge as needed.
• Skills in monitoring / assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently exercising initiative and judgment in the performance of responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills for working with diverse groups of faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment, as well as independently.
• Ability to anticipate and embrace change; demonstrate a willingness to achieve, acquire, and utilize new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing condition

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

Occasional work performed alone with ability to work remotely from time-to-time. Collaboration and constant work around and with other people.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

This position requires attention to detail, good memory, ability to work under deadline pressure, sitting and standing for long periods of time, oral and written communication, keyboarding for significant portions of the workday, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, reaching, patience, and tact to perform the essential functions.

LOCATION

ON CAMPUS or REMOTE

Additional Information:

WAGES AND BENEFITS

$68,000--$75,000 annual salary,and includes a competitive benefits package.

The listed salary range represents the minimum and maximum CIIS offers for this position. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as location, skills, experience, market conditions education and internal equity. Not all candidates will qualify for the highest salary in the range.

NOTES TO CANDIDATE

• Working Conditions - Duties are primarily performed in an office environment at a desk or computer terminal, typically Monday through Friday.
• Background Check - Due to the sensitivity and requirements of this position, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check, if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, or credentials pertinent to the position. If your job requires driving on behalf of CIIS you will be required to provide proof of a valid driver's license.
• Visa Sponsorship - Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
• Relocation Assistance - This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY

CIIS strives to cultivate and preserve a culture of inclusion and belonging as part of its Seven Commitments. More than accept difference, we honor and celebrate our staff's diversity of experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community creates and maintains working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, accessible, and welcoming.

CIIS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an open, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory environment for all individuals across differences of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, socio- economic status, ethnicity, age, physical ability, or medical condition. We seek to increase the presence, representation, and inclusion of U.S. historically under-represented people of color, international, bilingual, and bicultural students, faculty, and staff; and, to provide an environment that will attract and retain individuals identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex (LGBTQQI+). CIIS is committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Application Instructions:

Screening begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Using the Apply Now link, please submit a Resume and Cover Letter online.