RIT Academic Advisor - Part Time

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology seeks a part-time Academic Advisor (20 hours/week) to support student success within the College of Science. The advisor will develop, implement, and manage advisement for RIT students, maintaining regular contact and guiding students through degree requirements and progress.

Responsibilities include advising on degree planning, transferring credits, and referring students to campus resources.

Qualifications

• MS, MA or M.Ed in Higher Education, Counselor Education, Career Counseling, Social Work, or related field.
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills that exhibit positive regard and respect for students and colleagues.
• Strong written and in-person communication for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of college student development theory and FERPA regulations in higher education.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain regular contact with advisees to provide information about academic progression and degree requirements.
• Advise students on degree requirements and referral opportunities as needed.
• Direct students to campus resources to enhance academic success.
• Help students develop long-term goals, including co-op/internship and study abroad options.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions and advise on degree audits.
• Participate in advising initiatives and university committees.
• Stay current with advising processes, technology, and best practices.
• Collaborate with department chairs and staff to ensure seamless student support.

Skills

Advising

Communication

FERPA compliance

Student support

Organization

Education

MS in Higher Education

MA in Higher Education

M.Ed in Counseling

Tools

SIS

Degree Audit

Job description

Position Highlights Academic advisors function in order to support student success. Advising is a collaborative relationship between a student and advisor. Advisors take a student-centered approach that enriches student learning and development in preparation for success with a diverse global society. This part time (20 hours per week) position will be assigned to the College of Science, reports directly to the Senior Assistant Dean, and works with the chair and department coordinators as appropriate. This position will develop, implement, and manage academic advisement for RIT students.

The position will participate in developing strategies that will enhance retention and promote students’ connection to their academic program as well as the university.

Responsibilities

• Maintain systematic and frequent contact with advisees in order to provide them with accurate information about academic progression and degree requirements, assess students’ academic progress towards degree completion, and advise students to identify barriers to success and offer appropriate referrals for academic and personal concerns.
• Outreach to students whenever necessary in order to assist with planning and support.
• Direct students towards campus resources that will enhance their ability to be academically successful, including: ASC, CRP, HEOP, Counseling Center, Disability Services, Financial Aid, and other offices.
• Advise students to develop their long range goals and plans of academic study, include as applicable: co‑op or internship work schedules and/or study abroad opportunities.
• Assist students to evaluate progress towards established goals.
• Review and update degree audits in a timely manner, including evaluate and determine the transfer of credits; research course descriptions to determine transferability as assigned.
• Participate in degree certification process as assigned.
• Maintain awareness of institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course changes, deadlines, costs, expanding facilities, college‑wide initiatives, transfer requirements, and relevant state and federal mandates.
• Keep accurate records of all interactions.
• Participate in university student success and retention initiatives related to advising.
• Collaborate with department chairs, deans’ delegates for advising, faculty advisors and university partners to ensure seamless support for students, and serve as an advising resource for faculty and staff within the college.
• Participate in admissions and recruitment programs as assigned.
• Participate in orientation programs as required.
• Stay current with processes, technology, and computer skills relevant to advising at RIT.
• Participate in college planning, implementation, and evaluation of the academic advisement program’s goals and objectives.
• Participate on departmental, college, and university committees as assigned.
• Participate in Advisors Council and engage in relevant professional development activities, which may include: CPD sessions, workshops, RIT courses, attendance at conferences, membership in professional organizations, etc.

Educational Requirements

MS, MA or M.Ed in Higher Education, Counselor Education, Career Counseling, Social Work, or related field.

Required Skills

• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills that exhibit positive regard, care, concern, and respect for students, families, and colleagues.
• Strong commitment towards supporting all levels and backgrounds of students through a variety of approaches and processes to achieve their educational and personal goals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (written and in‑person) to a broad constituency, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents.
• Knowledge of research and theory related to college student development, including: cognitive /learning development, student persistence, student engagement, diversity and student identity, and experience applying the knowledge to support student development and success.
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of FERPA regulations within a higher education setting.
• Working knowledge of effective decision‑making and conflict resolution techniques.
• Nights/weekends may be required.
• Ability to coordinate and manage assignments in order to sustain an extensive workload within a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent computer skills including: SIS, Degree Audit, & related systems.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to details.
• Demonstrated ability to multi‑task.

Preferred Experience/Skills

• Working knowledge of RIT processes, programs, and resources preferred.
• 2-4 years related experience in advising or a related field in higher education environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experiences desired.
• Knowledge of deaf culture and ASL strongly preferred.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Meets with students to review degree progress and assesses progress against graduation requirements.
• Ensures student understand how to navigate course registration and degree requirements.
• Monitor students’ progress.
• Helps students resolve requirement concerns.
• Identifies alternative courses and solutions to meet degree requirements.
• Assists students with changing course registration.
• Reviews career goals with students and assists students with post‑college planning, including reviewing and revising resumes, identifying valuable internships and fellowships, and coaching with interviews.
• Maintains knowledge of key registration and enrollment dates.
• Stays current in best practices related to academic advising, student success, and higher education.
• Makes referrals to other points of service such as counseling, financial aid, career services, student life, and disability services.
• Conducts outreach to students to build and foster relations, provide helpful information, and ensure students are aware of available services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of academic advising principles and practices.
• Skill in written, verbal, and interpersonal communication to influence and articulate a variety of topics to different and diverse audiences.
• Skill in multi‑tasking, project management, prioritization, and organization.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy, cultural awareness, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Minimum Education & Experience: Master’s degree in related field 2 years of related experience.

Minimum Education & Experience

Master's degree in related field 2 years of related experience

Job Level Overview

Specialized Contributor Level 2 - A fully functional role requiring established knowledge of the profession or field of work. Responsible for completing substantive assignments and projects. Problems are varied and non‑routine, and resolution requires exercising judgment, analysis, advisement, creativity, and understanding broader sets of issues. May provide assistance to entry level staff.

FLSA Category

Non‑Exempt Work Location On Campus

Compensation $23.80 - $38.10 Hourly

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology has a long‑standing history of innovation that blends the arts, technology, and experiential learning. In addition to its main campus in Rochester, NewYork, RIT maintains a strong international presence with over 100 active global partnerships and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. As of Fall 2024, total student enrollment across all campuses exceeded 21,000. Nationally recognized for its co‑op and internship programs, RIT is supported by more than 4,000 dedicated faculty and staff members committed to student success. Its 1,300‑acre suburban campus features cutting‑edge facilities that reflect RIT’s strengths in applied research, design, and workforce development.