Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor - Richmond, United States - Virginia Commonwealth University

Description

Summary

TheOffice of Student Services in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)is recruiting for an advising position at the Academic Advisor or SeniorAcademic Advisor level for the departments of Physics and Mathematics andApplied Mathematics. The incumbent to this position will sustain an environmentof effective academic advising for undergraduate students in the College inorder to support VCU being a leader among national research universities inproviding all students with high-quality learning/living experiences focused oninquiry, discovery and innovation in a global environment; and to provideresources to improve the student to advisor ratio departments and schoolswithin the College of Humanities and Sciences. Meeting these needs will improvestudent engagement through effective academic advising, while supporting theidentified metrics of graduation rates and retention.

The VCU job series for this position is Academic Advisor/Senior AcademicAdvisor in the Academic and Faculty Affairs job family. For moreinformation, please see the VCU Human Resources' Job Family and Salary Rangessite at

VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with acommitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by News as one of the 30 "mostinnovative" public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, publicresearch university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here yoursuccess is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a robust benefitspackage that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holidayleave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferredannuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit, employee discounts,well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development andadvancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here,

VCU is committed to hiring veterans VCU will add your military years ofservice to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leaveaccrual

Job-Specific Duties

This position requires a high degree of confidentiality. The main purpose ofthis position is to sustain an environment of effective academic advising forundergraduate students in the respective program. The person must exerciseprofessional judgment in the following ways:
1. Provide correct up-to-date information about all College and program-specificacademic program requirements.
2. Provide correct interpretations of University and College rules andregulations.
3. Be comfortable and accurate in answering pointed questions from parents andstudents about graduation issues.
4. Be able to tell students they lack requirements for graduation and offersuggestions for completion of the needed requirements (including possiblesubstitutions or waivers of degree requirements).
5. Follow appropriate protocol for situations involving Title IX or FERPA.

1. Provide academic advising services to assigned students:

• Advise students regarding: departmental, College, and University policies andprocedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academicplans.

• Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.

• Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, skills andacademic goals and in making decisions regarding their academic career.

• Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academicexperience, facilitate their academic and personal development, and supporttheir educational success.

• Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University,make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.

• Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students.

• Make appropriate referrals to other university resources.

• Assist students in the online graduation checkout.

• Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional developmentactivities.

2. Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact studentrecruitment, success, and retention:

• Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives (, OpenHouse, Preview Day).

• Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation.

• Support departmental and University retention initiatives.

• Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.

3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information, includingadvising interactions:

• Document all advising interactions with students.

• Maintain training on policies including Title IX and FERPA.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records on students.

4. Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advising checkpoints:

• Use the Navigate advising platform to establish targeted student populationsfor more intensive advising.

• Use DegreeWorks to determine a student's progress in completing degreerequirements.

• Meet all assigned advisees at least once a semester.

Job-Specific Education and Experience

Minimum hiring standards for theAcademic Advisor 3 position:

•Master's degree from an accreditedinstitution

•A minimum of two years of full-time advising experience working directly withstudents in a college or university setting.

•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, andstudent
environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

•Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.

•Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.

•Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Preferred hiring standards for the Academic Advisor 3 position:

• One year of advising experience at VCU with STEM students or exploratorystudents

•Educational Background in a STEM discipline.

•Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualizedcounseling in higher
education.

Minimum hiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor position:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution.

•3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education,training, and
experience.

•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, andstudent
environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

•Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualizedcounseling in higher
education.

•Understand curricula information (including program of study and generaleducation
requirements) for areas of advising specialization.

•Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.

•Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.

•Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Preferred hiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor position:

• A minimum of 3 years professional advising experience or equivalentexperience in a related
career field.

•Two years of advising experience at VCU with STEM students or exploratorystudents

•Completion of coursework or training related to diversity, equity, andinclusion as well as topics
related to leadership such as conflict resolution, coaching/mentoring,communication styles, or
navigating change.

•Educational Background in a STEM discipline.

Salary Range:
Academic Advisor 3: $53,820 - $58,860
Senior Academic Advisor 1-3: $58,860 - $64,980

Job Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands :
Lighting (<20 lbs.), Marginal
Walking, Marginal
Standing, Marginal
Sitting, Essential
Reaching, Marginal
Repetitive Motion, Marginal
Bending, Marginal

Emotional Demands :
Fast pace, Essential
Average pace, Essential
Multiple stimuli, Essential
Frequent change, Essential
Intense customer interaction, essential

Memory/Sensory Demands :
Memory, Essential
Reasoning, Essential
Hearing, Essential
Reading, Essential
Analyzing, Essential
Logic, Essential
Verbal communication, Essential
Written communication, Essential

Salary Range: $53,820 - $64,980

Position Details:

Department: Office of Student Services, College of Humanities and Sciences
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt

Eligible for Alternative Work Arrangements: Yes, as established under the current VCU FWA guidelines

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Eligible: Yes