Student Services Advisor III

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits for staff and family

Tuition benefits for staff and family

Job summary

University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles seeks a Student Services Advisor III for the Master's Student Services team. The role leads admissions, counseling, and guidance for graduate students, coordinating curriculum and degree requirements with faculty and staff.

Minimum education is a bachelor's degree with at least five years in higher education student services. Strong communication, data analysis, and policy interpretation are essential to support student success.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education admissions and student services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of student development theories and academic policies.
• Ability to plan, develop and implement advising models.
• Experience with data analysis and assessment to inform enrollment management.

Responsibilities

• Manages admissions and advising activities within the Master's Student Services team.
• Provides guidance and supervision for student services advisors and admissions counselors.
• Resolves problems referred by subordinates or other staff.
• Develops and implements program goals and strategies.
• Provides training for staff and assesses proficiency or readiness of trainees.
• Provides policy interpretation and technical consultation as required.
• Manages the storage and maintenance of applicant and student data and maintains detailed records of program activities.
• Provides counseling for prospective and current graduate students.
• Advises on curriculum, course and degree requirements, and graduation counseling and clearance.
• Monitors student academic progress.
• Advises prospective students and families on admission policies and opportunities.
• Communicates with prospective students via CRM and social media about admission status.
• Makes admission decisions for graduate programs in consultation with faculty.
• Identifies and selects scholarship recipients based on eligibility.
• Assists in recruitment strategies and programs.
• Assists in preparation of bulletins, newsletters, and guides.
• Plans and coordinates student events such as orientation and open houses.
• Maintains student records and coordinates registration, grading, degree progress, and transcripts.
• Prepares reports and analyzes statistical data for internal/external use.
• Evaluates student problems and refers to appropriate offices for counseling.
• Serves as advisor to student groups and organizations.
• Keeps policies updated on admissions, financial aid, registration, transfer credit, graduation requirements, etc.
• Resolves non-routine problems and interprets policies.
• Ensures FERPA compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Policy interpretation

Data analysis

Enrollment management

Counseling

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctorate

Job description

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world‑class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a Student Services Advisor III in Master's Student Services. The largest and oldest of the USC schools, USC Dornsife functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

The Master's Student Services team (MSS) provides admissions and advising support to prospective and current students across all Dornsife master's and graduate certificate programs. MSS team members cross‑train and work collaboratively to ensure a consistent and seamless experience from application through graduation. The team's mission is to foster student success by offering responsive, well‑coordinated guidance and support and helping master's students navigate their academic journeys and achieve their goals.

Job responsibilities

• Manages admissions and advising activities within the Master's Student Services team.
• Provides guidance and supervision for student services advisors and admissions counselors.
• Resolves problems referred by subordinates or other staff.
• Develops and implements program goals and strategies.
• Provides training for staff and assesses proficiency or readiness of trainees.
• Provides policy interpretation and technical consultation as required.
• Manages the storage and maintenance of applicant and student data and maintains detailed records of program activities.
• Provides counseling for prospective and current graduate students.
• Advises on matters of curriculum, course and degree requirements, and graduation counseling and clearance.
• Monitors student academic progress.
• Advises prospective students and their families on university admission policies, procedures and educational opportunities.
• Follows up on applicant inquiries, evaluating and offering solutions to any problems and requests regarding admission.
• Communicates with prospective students in person and via telephone, email, customer‑relationship management (CRM) systems and social media about the status of admission applications.
• In consultation with faculty, where appropriate, makes admission decisions for graduate programs in accordance with admission guidelines.
• Identifies and selects scholarship recipients based on eligibility requirements.
• Assists in the planning and execution of recruitment strategies and programs.
• Assists in the preparation or update of bulletins, newsletters, handbooks, guides, fact sheets and brochures.
• Plans and coordinates student events including orientation, receptions, commencement, and open house events.
• Maintains academic unit student records and coordinates registration activities, grading, degree progress, enrollment and degree verification, and transcripts with the USC Office of Academic Records and Registrar.
• Maintains and compiles statistical data and prepares reports for internal and external use as required.
• Evaluates student problems, academic, administrative or personal, and refers student to appropriate student services office for additional counseling
• Serves as advisor to student groups and organizations
• Maintains currency on policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to admissions, financial aid, registration, transfer credit evaluation, course and degree requirements, graduation requirements, petitions and other student services.
• Assists in resolving non‑routine problems and provides policy or procedural interpretations for matters which are not clearly defined.
• Ensures confidentiality and compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

List of preferred qualifications

• Experience in higher education, specifically working with admissions and recruitment and/or student support services and programming
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of student development theories and academic policies
• Ability to strategically plan, develop and implement advising models
• Strong problem solving and decision‑making skills
• Supervisory experience, including training and performance assessment
• Experience with data analysis and assessment to inform enrollment management and student support initiatives

Salary range

The annual salary range for this position is $88,000 - $101,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Documents and Additional Information

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience

5 years

Additional Experience Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

Minimum Skills

Directly related experience in leading the delivery of student services.

Preferred Education

Master's degree Or

Doctorate

Preferred Experience

7 years

Preferred Skills

Proven ability with assessment and analysis, budget control and development, conceptualization and design, conflict resolution, counseling, creative writing and editing, curriculum development, and interpretation of policies.

Efficient communication skills and the ability to conduct interviews.

Understanding of applicable laws, policies and principles.

Proven leadership ability and the ability to network, organize and plan.

Experience with problem identification and resolution project management, public speaking, scheduling, statistical analysis and teaching and training.