Academic and Career Advisor

Southern State is committed to its mission to provide accessible, affordable and high quality education to people in southern Ohio. The college values honesty and integrity in all endeavors, tolerance for different ideas, respect for all individuals and excellence and creativity in the pursuit of knowledge.

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Academic and Career Advisor

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time
REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic Affairs
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt    
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
CAMPUS: Central Campus    

DISTINGUISHING JOB CHARACTERISTICS
Provides academic and career advising services to SSCC current and future students. Cooperates with faculty and staff by providing quality academic advising assistance for individuals and groups of students. Responsible for understanding and interpreting academic requirements and using that information to identify and communicate options available to students relevant to their area of interest. Ensures work meets performance expectations. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform essential duties to expected performance standards.   Reasonable accommodations are made as required for persons who are disabled under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

• Meets with and advises students individually and in groups about educational options and provides information about available resources. Assists students in the creation of an academic completion plan, with career, major, and goal-setting activities, transfer options and interpretation of placement test scores.  
• Meets with students to assess and discuss progress. Monitors students on academic warning, probation, or suspension.  As appropriate, assists students with the creation of academic probation plans. 
• Makes referrals as appropriate. Generates reports.
• Works closely with other academic advisors and faculty in order to provide timely information on courses, degree options and SSCC policies.
• Works closely with Admissions, Registrar, and Financial Aid Director to assist students with paperwork.  Works with Administrative Assistant in maintaining and updating accurate advising worksheets (degree audit reports). 
• Assists in registration and verifies prerequisites and requirements. Participates in orientation, open houses and other recruitment and retention activities. Conducts academic success workshops.  Supports College retention programs.
• Trains students and staff involved in academic advising as needed. Participates in professional conferences and professional development workshops.
• Maintains confidentiality of confidential or sensitive records and information.  
• Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance and works outside of normal schedule as needed to meet workload demands.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides advising representation in college meetings, seminars, and workshops—both internal and external as assigned. 

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION
None

EQUIPMENT OPERATED
Computer; printer; calculator; copier; fax machine; telephone; postage machine and other standard office equipment.

CONFIDENTIAL DATA
Personal information contained in student advising sessions and student records. 

WORKING CONDITIONS
Good office working conditions.  The work requires the use of safe work practices with office equipment, and observance of general safety and traffic regulations.  Exposure to typical traffic conditions and hazards when visiting other campuses or other locations.

USUAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following physical demands are typically used to perform this job’s essential duties and responsibilities.  They are not qualification standards, rather they may be used to help the College, employee, or applicant identify where and how reasonable accommodations may be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential duties due to an ADA disability.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently sits for extended periods of time and occasionally stands and walks.  The employee regularly exhibits manual dexterity when working on the computer, typing and performing other related tasks.  The employee regularly talks and hears when working with staff, students, and members of the learning community, the general public and other job contacts.  Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision, with the ability to adjust focus when typing or reading a computer screen.  The employee occasionally lifts up to 10 pounds.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:  Advising and retention services; SSCC program course requirements; standard office practices and procedures; English grammar, spelling, sentence structure and punctuation; business letter and reporting formats, as well as SSCC Policies and Procedures.

Ability to: maintain confidential and sensitive information; exhibit a pleasant public manner and telephone etiquette; originate correspondence; work independently; exhibit attention to detail; originate an attractive and functional typing format; organize and file documents according to alphabetical, numerical and subject order; apply ethical standards to work situations; make work decisions in accordance with  SSCC’s values; show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences, and promote an harassment-free environment; embrace and support constructive change; work efficiently and effectively to improve college operations; consistently follow safety and security procedures and practices; develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, learning community, associates and general public; contribute toward building a positive team working environment; treat others with respect as representative of SSCC.

Skill in: dealing with sensitive situations involving students, parents, guardians and faculty; verbal and written communications; word processing; application of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel and Outlook; operation of standard office equipment; office organization; creating functional and professional electronic report formats.

QUALIFICATIONS
An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities.  An example of an acceptable qualification is: Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, business or related field with one to three years experience in advising or related field.
Applicant must successfully pass required background checks in accordance with Southern State Community College’s policies and procedures and applicable laws.   
Ability to document identity and employment eligibility as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Valid state motor vehicle license

The listing of duties and requirements listed in this description should in no manner imply that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by the employee who fills this position.  Each employee is required to follow the directives, and to perform any duties required by the employee's supervisor or designee.

Southern State is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.