Advising Specialist

Job Title:

Full or Part Time:

Hours:

Exempt:

Supervisory Org:

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: This temporary, 1-year position (ending on September 24, 2027) involves advising new and continuing students on curriculum requirements, academic progress, course scheduling, and university policies and procedures. As a member of the Academic Advising Team, the advisor will work closely with all students, assist with orientation activities, and support the COOP Chat Bot program. This role also focuses on advising first- and second-year students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide information and assistance to students concerning academic programs, curricula, academic requirements, and related policies and procedures.
• Advise students in the selection of an academic program and related course selection.
• Perform individual advising with students in a variety of modalities, from online/virtual, email, and face-to-face.
• Participate in programs and services for new students when requested. (Example: Orientation, Parent Orientation, Transfer Orientation, and outreach to students.)
• Strong understanding of student support services offered by the University to help support students’ success, and ability to direct students toward appropriate support services and help centers.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of interactions with students, referrals, and decisions affecting degree progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 

General supervision is received from the Director of the Academic Advisement Center.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

N/A

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1 years of related work experience
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and under occasional pressure
• Ability to work as a team with administration, faculty, and staff
• Ability to work a flexible and varied schedule
• Ability to develop and implement creative strategies for program-specific recruitment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout their employment. The university does not provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future for this job classification.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).
SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.
SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.  SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.