Senior Academic Advisor

Cooperative Education; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooperative Education in Fairfax, VA seeks a Senior Academic Advisor to lead undergraduate advising, coordinate enrollment and degree completion activities, and support student services across recruitment and orientation functions.

The role requires Bachelor’s degree with strong communication skills, confidentiality, and the ability to supervise staff. Hybrid work arrangement and collaboration with multiple departments are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working independently and taking initiative.
• Professional and mid-level administrative experience in an academic setting.
• Experience handling confidential records or information.
• Strong knowledge of student services, advising, and customer service.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to coordinate programs and activities in an academic setting.
• Proficiency with related technology and university systems.

Responsibilities

• Directs undergraduate advising activities and degree-planning support.
• Advises SIS students on degree requirements, course registration, and policies.
• Manages advising hours and conducts student meetings for degree completion.
• Delivers responsive customer service using university systems.
• Responds to student inquiries via official GM email.
• Supervises part-time advisors and supports recruitment/orientation initiatives.
• Oversees recruitment and orientation planning and collaboration with Admissions and Deans’ offices.
• Trains staff and students for recruitment activities and materials development.
• Participates in program development, assessments, and special projects.
• Maintains records in the university CRM and degree audit systems.
• Completes required training and policy reviews.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree

Independent work

Professionalism

Communication skills

Program coordination

Technology literacy

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Department: Col of Humanities and Soc Science

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department

The School of Integrative Studies is committed to integrating interdisciplinary knowledge with lifelong learning by offering experiential, hands-on learning that connects the classroom to the world. Our community encourages students to engage in active learning, independent inquiry, and research that responds to the needs and opportunities of a diverse society while preparing them for responsible leadership and citizenship. The School of Integrative Studies includes four Undergraduate Majors (Integrative Studies, Bachelor of Individualized Study, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Human Development & Family Science) and graduate programs in Higher Education (Certificate, Master's and PhD options). We also support the Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Program.

About the Position

The Senior Academic Advisor provides leadership to the undergraduate advising team on academic issues toward degree completion, providing administrative support for student services activities in the areas of academic advising, recruitment and orientation, student services program development, and contributing to campus and community outreach.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising

• Directs student interaction focused on degree-planning and academic progress;
• Advises undergraduate SIS students on academic issues toward degree completion;
• Establishes and maintains set advising hours each week; meets with students to discuss issues related to degree completion including avenue of study, course registration, and university policies and procedures;
• Delivers high-quality, responsive customer service by leveraging university systems to stay organized and efficient;
• Provides timely and accurate responses to student inquiries via official GM email; and
• Supervision of all part-time advisors.

Recruitment & Orientation

• Oversees the planning and execution of Recruitment & Orientation activities. Provide leadership to the SIS advising team;
• Manages SIS recruitment and orientation activities and initiatives;
• Trains advisors, faculty, staff, and students in preparation for recruitment and orientation activities;
• Ensures adequate advisor, faculty, staff and student participation in all recruitment and orientation events;
• Serves as the SIS point of contact for Admissions, the CHSS dean's office, and New Student & Family Services for all recruitment and orientation collaboration; and
• Assists with the creation of marketing and recruitment materials specific to SIS majors/programs.

Program Development & Other Related Duties

• Participates in program development, assessments, and special projects, to include selection of scholarship recipients and serving on ad hoc committees; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

System/Record Maintenance

• Effectively uses the official university CRM to document advising interactions, schedule appointments, and initiate referrals, ensuring consistent and personalized support;
• Utilizes the university’s degree audit system to guide students through academic planning, and accesses Banner to review and verify student records;
• Completes university forms, procedures, and processes on behalf of students;
• Participates in policy review; and
• Completes required training as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in a position requiring individual initiative and the ability to work independently;
• Experience in a professional, mid-level administrative environment;
• Experience dealing with confidential records or information;
• Knowledge of student services, especially in working with students to provide information, guidance, and advising, answering questions and providing effective customer service;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills;
• Demonstrated skills in program and activity coordination in academic setting;
• Skill in the use of related technology;
• Ability to exercise a high-level of professionalism and confidentiality, along with initiative and good judgment; and
• Independent self-starter with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and an ability to perform efficiently in an active, priority-changing atmosphere.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience in student services, including recruitment, outreach, and referral services to enable retention and completion;
• Previous experience in higher education;
• Experience supervising full time or part time staff; and
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office.

Posting Open Date: September 11, 2026

Posting Close Date: September 16, 2026

Open Until Filled: No