Professional Academic Advisor (PA)

Finger Lakes Community College; City of Canandaigua (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

New York State Retirement System

Health and dental insurance

Tuition waiver for employee and depend

Job summary

Finger Lakes Community College seeks a Professional Academic Advisor to manage a designated caseload, guide students through initial registration, and connect them with academic support services. The role emphasizes ongoing communication, progress tracking, and tailored advising to foster student success.

Responsibilities include coordinating registration advisement, maintaining records, and collaborating with faculty advisors while adhering to FERPA and college policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Education, Social Work, Human Services or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Two years of professional experience in academic advising or student support; ability to work with diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advisement on requirements and course selection.
• Coordinate advisement during registration periods.
• Maintain accurate records and evaluate progress each semester.
• Work with Starfish early alert system for assigned caseload.
• Monitor registration activities and suggest alternatives.
• Maintain frequent contact with advisees.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors to support students.
• Perform degree audits and understand transfer credits; know graduation requirements.
• Provide interpretation of academic standards and assist with financial aid processes.
• Refer students to career/transfer services and other support offices as needed.
• Follow FERPA guidelines for release of student information.
• Disseminate information on institutional policies.
• Engage students in curricular and co-curricular activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Director/AVP of Student Affairs.

Skills

Academic advising experience

Diversity & inclusion

Oral and written communication

Organization & record-keeping

MS Office & databases

Student information systems (Ellucian)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Human Services or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Ellucian

MS Office

Job description

The Professional Academic Advisor is primarily responsible for working with a designated caseload of identified students enrolled in a variety of programs. The Professional Academic Advisor is responsible for working with these students at their initial registration at the College, informing students of academic support services and strategies available, tracking academic progress, and explaining options to students who are struggling.

FLCC is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and strives to provide an environment that embodies these principles. We strive to attract talented personnel from diverse backgrounds and traditions, particularly of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, religion, worldview and physical and mental abilities. As such, applicants from historically under-represented groups are highly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

• A. Educational Background: Bachelor of Art or Science degree required in Education, Social Work, Human Services or related field. Master’s degree in related fields mentioned preferred.
• B. Special Skills: Minimum of two years’ professional experience in academic advising, student support or working with students required, preferably in a community college setting. Ability to work with a diverse student population to provide a variety of academic advising, support services, career and transfer advising with knowledge and understanding of student development theory and practice required. Ability to identify academic needs and offer solutions with professional oral and written communications skills, and human relations skills. Excellent organizational skills to maintain accurate records required. Ability work respectfully with confidential information and make referrals as appropriate. MS Office and database management skills required. Familiarity with computerized student information systems required, Ellucian preferred. Will work primarily at the Canandaigua campus, and may travel to the campus centers at scheduled times. The set work schedule varies daily and includes scheduled daytime, evening and weekend hours at 37.5 hours a week.

Essential Functions:

• Provide academic advisement to students about academic requirements and selection of courses.
• Assist with the coordination of academic advisement during registration periods.
• Maintain accurate records on each advisee in appropriate systems; evaluate students at the conclusion of each semester to determine status and academic recovery plans (if appropriate).
• Work with the College’s early alert system (Starfish) for assigned caseload.
• Monitor student registration activities and suggest alternatives.
• Maintain systematic and frequent contact with advisees.
• Work collaboratively with faculty advisors to support students.
• Perform and interpret degree audits (e.g., working knowledge of transfer credits, etc.).
• Know graduation requirements.
• Possess a basic knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines and programs.
• Provide interpretation of the College’s Academic Standards and advise students affected by them.
• Assist students with career and transfer planning.
• Make referrals as necessary to career and transfer services, Academic Success and Access Programs (including Disability Services), Community Standards and Counseling, and other existing support services and offices.
• Understand the institution’s interpretation of FERPA rules for the release of student information to faculty, parents, students, etc.
• Disseminate information on institutional policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively within Student Affairs to engage students and encourage participation in both curricular and co-curricular activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director and/or Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.

Benefits and salary range:

• Applicants receiving benefits through the New York State Retirement System should review state regulations regarding post-retirement employment. This position is not eligible for employment under a Section 211 waiver
• Starting salary in the range of $53,501 - $56,176 and is commensurate with qualifications
• NYS Retirement or Optional SUNY Retirement Program
• SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan with a 2% FLCC match
• Comprehensive Health and Dental Insurance through Excellus BCBS
• FSA
• 21 days of annual leave, 12 sick days and 13.5 holidays annually
• FLCC Tuition Waiver for employee and dependents
• Tuition assistance at 4-year institutions

Special Notes:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

Finger Lakes Community College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identification, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction or any other category protected by law. The College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in public institutions of higher education.