Transitional Guide (Transitional Advisor)

umiami; Coral Gables (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Miami is seeking a dedicated Transitional Guide to support onboarding and first-semester planning for new undergraduates. You will educate students on policies, procedures, and campus systems, helping them navigate academic pathways and university resources with care.

You will partner with Cane Navigators and campus units to ensure a holistic, student-centered experience from deposit through initial registration, while maintaining FERPA-compliant practices and high satisfaction

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of 1 year of advising, counseling and/or customer service experience preferred.
• Any relevant education, certifications and/or work experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide onboarding and student success services to incoming first-year students.
• Serve as primary contact for assigned students during onboarding cycle.
• Guide students through changing majors when it involves two schools/colleges.
• Use tools and technology to manage onboarding and document interactions in student systems.
• Achieve unit benchmarks, customer service standards, and daily productivity metrics.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Stress management

Follow instructions

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

EAB Navigate

Job description

The Transitional Guide will provide onboarding support, including guidance for first-semester academic planning for new incoming undergraduate students. This team plays a vital role in educating students on University of Miami policies, procedures, and student systems, promoting empowerment for students to take ownership of their academic journey- all with a mission of educating students on UM resources and positively impacting first-year retention. This position reports directly to the Assoc./Asst. Director of Student Success & Transitions and works collaboratively with all academic programs as well as other campus partners.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

• 1. Provide onboarding and student success services to incoming first-year students to support their integration into the University of Miami.
• 2. Beginning at the point of deposit, serves as the primary contact for assigned students throughout their onboarding cycle and assists them in preparing their student records to officially hand them off to their Cane Navigator.
• 3. Guide University of Miami students through the process to change majors when it involves two different schools/colleges.
• 4. Employ best practices in student success and advising. Build connections and deliver consistently high-quality services.
• 5. Know and keep up to date on all undergraduate programs and curriculums at the University and provide students with holistic support and consistent experience as they transition to the University of Miami.
• 6. Introduce students to academic policies, procedures, and guidelines and help students navigate the school/college/department and university-level administrative processes. Including, but not limited to the University Bulletin, the Academic Calendar, CaneLink (student information system), Navigate (student success system), the registration process and deadlines.
• 7. Collaborate with Senior Transitional Guides on projects that support continuous improvement of office practices, processes, and service delivery.
• 8. Partner with academic and non-academic units (e.g., Cane Navigators (academic advisors), Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Veteran Resource Center, International Student and Scholar Services, Housing and Residential Life, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, etc.), including collaborating with the Cane Navigation team during peak times, such as drop/add period, providing registration support as needed.
• 9. Collaborate with academic and non-academic units (e.g., Office of the Registrar, International Student and Scholar Services, Housing and Residential Life, Office of Financial Assistance, etc.).
• 10. Responsible for an assigned group of students, including but not limited to outreach and monitoring their progression, first semester course registration, and service satisfaction.
• 11. May facilitate registration permissions, course equivalency reviews, and prerequisite checks.
• 12. Use tools, analytical dashboards, and technology fully to manage student onboarding and student communication, maintain accurate student records, and document student interactions in EAB Navigate.
• 13. Achieve established unit benchmarks, customer service standards, key performance indicators, and daily productivity metrics.
• 14. Consistent with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines, interacts with parents and families of students, Proxies, and faculty to support students.
• 15. Participate in ongoing training and professional development programs.
• 16. Be trained as a career champion through the University’s Toppel Career Center.
• 17. Participate in student events, including onboarding and orientation events.
• 18. Candidate must have passion and dedication for providing students and their families with thorough, compassionate support, and the utmost care.
• 19. May have the option to fill the role of First Year Directions Facilitator if qualifications are met.
• 20. Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures and exercises sound judgment.
• 21. Perform other duties as assigned.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Bachelor's degree

Certification and Licensing:
N/A

Experience:
Minimum of 1 year of experience in advising, counseling and/or customer service is preferred. Any relevant education, certifications and/or work experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Candidate must have passion and dedication for providing students and their families with thorough, compassionate support, and the utmost care.
• A keen ability to build relationships and connect with members across campus to ensure thorough, well-rounded support and solutions to students and their families.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to stay focused in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
• Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions.
• A keen ability to build relationships and connect with staff members across campus to ensure thorough, well-rounded support and solutions to students and their families.

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.

With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time

Employee Type: Staff