Lead Academic Advisor for Student Success

California State University, Chico; California; On-site; USD 61,826 - 63,243; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Opt For Healthy Living in California is seeking a Senior Academic Advisor to support the enrollment and retention of upper-division students at San José State University. The role includes holistic advising, success coaching, and proactive outreach to enhance student success. The advisor will manage a student caseload and collaborate on broader initiatives.

Ideal candidates will have a degree, experience in student services, and strong communication skills. This position offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
• Experience providing academic advising or student support services.
• Ability to interpret complex policies and communicate them clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive academic advising to upper-division students.
• Develop individualized academic plans and guide students.
• Monitor student progress and implement timely interventions.
• Design workshops to promote academic success and engagement.

Skills

Knowledge of academic advising best practices

Strong counseling and advising skills

Effective communication skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Education

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college

Master’s degree in Counseling or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft

EAB Navigate

Job description

Apply now Job no: 557502
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services

The Senior Academic Advisor supports the enrollment, retention, engagement, and graduation of upper-division undergraduate students within the Jack Holland Student Success Center. Working under limited supervision, the role provides holistic academic advising, success coaching, and targeted interventions to help students navigate academic requirements and institutional processes. This position plays a key role in fostering student success through relationship-building, program development, and proactive outreach. The advisor independently manages a student caseload while contributing to broader student success initiatives and institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive academic advising and success coaching to upper-division students using a case management approach
• Develop individualized academic plans and guide students in understanding degree requirements, policies, and procedures
• Monitor student progress using data tools and implement timely interventions to support retention and completion
• Design and deliver workshops, programs, and resources that promote academic success and student engagement
• Build strong relationships with students to support transition, persistence, and connection to the university community
• Advise students on navigating institutional processes, including petitions, schedule changes, and academic standing issues
• Connect students to appropriate campus resources and advocate for their academic and personal needs
• Develop and execute communication strategies aligned with academic milestones, deadlines, and student needs
• Participate in orientation, campus events, and student success initiatives to reduce equity gaps
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to enhance student support services

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of academic advising best practices, student development theory, and retention strategies
• Understanding of university policies, degree requirements, and higher education systems
• Strong counseling and advising skills, including problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with diverse audiences
• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with students from varied backgrounds
• Proficiency in student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, EAB Navigate) and productivity tools
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to interpret complex policies and communicate them clearly and accurately
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practices
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution, where such are job-related
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
• A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience
• A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree in educational counseling or a related field
• Experience providing academic advising or student support services to college students in a post-secondary institution
• Experience utilizing advising, case management, or intervention strategies to support student academic progress
• Experience coordinating programs, initiatives, or projects within a college or university setting

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,540 /month - $5,667/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,540/month - $7,893/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to [e-mail] .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Officeor report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at [e-mail] .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at [e-mail] .

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Apr 29 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: