Comprehensive Advising Officer

Under the administrative arm of the Board of Regents the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) administers Louisianas premier meritbased scholarship program the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Louisianas needbased component to the states financial aid plan to support nontraditional and low to moderateincome students called Go Grant the states 529 college savings plan called the Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) program the educational savings plan for K12 tuition called the START K12 program the 529A savings plan called the Louisiana ABLE program the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship program TOPS Tech Early Start Program for 11th and 12th graders the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program the work force development program that provides financial assistance for students enrolled in one of 5 high demand high pay industry sectors called the MJ Foster program and scholarships for students enrolled in teacher preparation programs called the Geaux Teach program.

LOSFA is extremely active in the dissemination of college access information within the state with a concentration on assisting students from lowincome families and firstgeneration college attendees in locating and obtaining the resources necessary to pursue and complete a postsecondary education. To attain this LOSFA regularly partners with other entities including the Louisiana Department of Education (LADOE) the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Statewide School Districts U.S. Department of Education the Louisiana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and others. In conjunction with DCFS LOSFA provides payment processing assistance for the Chafee Education and Training Voucher for students who have aged out of the foster care system and Strategies to Empower People (STEP) to aid governmentassisted citizens in obtaining their Adult Education certificate and Vocational Education training.

This position supports the expansion of outreach services provided by LOSFAs College Access Success and Communications Division. Services proposed under this expansion are supported by evidencebased best practices and national research in the field of college access and success. Areas of focus include expanded Comprehensive Secondary and Postsecondary Advising/Mentoring Exploration of Career Choices Connected to Postsecondary Pathway Options and Holistic Wraparound Services related to Affordability and Student Success. The statewide target audiences are high school students parents postsecondary students nontraditional students and returning adult learners.

Reporting to the Comprehensive Advising Administrator this position is focused on providing comprehensive advising to students across the state of Louisiana. Incumbents in the Comprehensive Advising Officer Position are expected to identify develop and utilize resources such as 211 the Student Hub Community State Agencies Higher Ed and Business partnerships to implement and document a case management approach to the provision of wraparound college advising to constituents statewide.

• Baccalaureate degree required.
• 3 years minimum relevant experience (e.g. college or academic advising career advising or coaching career services counseling case management).
• Have a deep personal belief in college access for all students and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make college a viable reality for all participating students.
• Case management experience and ability to provide individual guidance to a cohort of students; proven college advising with high school college students and returning adult learners.
• Ability to manage time to meet operational and supportive needs and desired outcomes for student success and completion.
• Strongand effectivecommunication(writtenand oral)andinterpersonalskills.
• Exceptionalcustomerserviceskillsandproblemresolution experience.
• Interpersonalskillstoremainprofessionaland calmindifficulttohandlesituations.
• Abilityto work independentlyandwithin ateamenvironment.
• Abilityto work understringent deadlines andadapt to changingpriorities and needs.
• Abilitytoworkwithawiderangeofindividualsandcanhandlesensitiveissueswhile maintaining confidentiality.
• Abilitytoworkwithdirectorsandstaffinaproductivepositiveandprofessional manner.
• Discretionin prioritizingtaskssharinginformation andusingindependentjudgment.
• Excellentjudgmentattentiontodetailandabilitytocoachstudentsthroughdifficult and/or complex situations with effective solutions.
• Highlevel ofcomputercompetencyand selfsufficiency.

• MastersDegreeincareeradvisingcertificateincareercoachingorsimilartraining and/or previous career advising experience preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of conducting career assessments analysis and developing career related action plans is preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (desired but NOT essential).

• Conducts regular individual and small group advising sessions through virtual office hours based upon the 5point match model.
  • Researches identifies and utilizes interest inventory tools to assist students with determining areas of match and fit.
  • Researches identifies and utilizes tools to collaboratively assist students with identifying multiple postsecondary and associated career pathways related to match and fit.
  • Identifies wraparound services matched to the needs of the student served based upon match and fit.
  • Facilitates connections between the student and wraparound services.
• Collaborates with students to develop document and implement a secondary/postsecondary plan based upon alternative pathways aligned with the students Match and Fit.
  • Develops and implements college application and FASFA completion and renewal plan.
  • Conducts follow up with students to identify and address barriers to timely completion of tasks associated with application and enrollment.
  • Provides assistance with evaluation of SAI and financial aid offers.
  • Provides assistance with communicating with admissions/financial aid/advising.
  • Provides assistance with timely completion of logistics associated with enrollment and attendance.
  • Provides assistance with identifying financial aid gaps and targeted methods to reduce those gaps.
  • Provides connections to campus and communitybased student support and wraparound services.
• Conducts regular individual and small group sessions to engage students with resources associated with postsecondary matriculation completion and employment.
  • Designs and implements group experiences to connect students with peers near peers and individuals currently practicing in their field of study and employers.
  • Designs and implements group experiences aimed at provision of just in time academic support.
    • Provision of study skills sessions.
    • Facilitation of study group sessions aimed at addressing common issues expressed in the groups.
    • Identification of and connection to campusbased academic support.
  • Researches identifies and connects students to experiential learning opportunities related to their field of study.
    • Apprenticeships.
    • Internshipswithemploymentalternativesinthefield.
    • Jobshadowingexperiences withemploymentalternatives inthefield.
    • Lunch and learn chats with professionals in the field.
  • Researches identifies and connects students to wraparound support to promote matriculation and completion.
    • Financial aidopportunitiesincludingmicro andemergencygrants.
    • Social support including housing food childcare and mental health counseling.
• Compiles prepares and submits reports as needed.
• Prepares presents and provides information and/or assistance on current LOSFA programs college access and career planning portals and the application for federal and state student financial aid the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as other sources of support for college access and success.
• Collaborates with internal divisions and staff (i.e. College Access Success and Communications; Scholarships and Grants; START; IT; graphic designers; social media specialist; public relations specialist; etc. to develop and implement comprehensive service strategies.
• Provides guidance and general information on college access planning the qualification and application process as well as how to find alternate sources of student financial aid includingbutnotlimitedtofederalloansand/orgrantaidfederalworkstudyprograms institutional scholarships and private student financial aid sources.
• Serves as a onestop resource to inquiries from high school students postsecondary students returning adult learners parents high school counselors and officials post secondary institution officials parish school board officials legislators and the general public on all aspects of student financial aid available to Louisiana residents.
• Provides instruction and technical support on completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) interpretation of the Student Aid Index (SAI) the TOPS Onlineapplicationsetupandusageofstudentaccounts onthe LOSFAStudentHubuse of the agencys website and use of the START and ABLE program websites.
• Stays abreast and remains knowledgeable of frequent legislative procedural and programmatic changes to all current LOSFA programs and future programs awarded and/or offered through partner entities.
• Proficiently uses all software packages including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite in the administration of programs.
• Efficiently uses all equipment utilized for public presentations including laptop computers LCD projectors overhead projectors sound systems and display boards.
• Obtains necessaryknowledge and skills needed to keep up with technologyand changing roles and participate in continuous professional development.
• Develops and maintains working knowledge of agencyspecific data systems related to program operations (e.g. Student Transcript System the Student Hub and Louisiana Award System etc.
• Provides additional consumer assistance duringperiods of high call and email volume or as needed.
• Assists customers with questions about LOSFA programs college access or financial aid via virtual office hour sessions.
• Frequently travels after work hours overnight and/or on weekends. Outreach efforts includebutarenotlimitedtosocialmedialargeand/orsmallgrouppresentationswritten and electronic correspondence via text messaging email or Lex telephone assistance televisionand/orradioappearancesstudentfinancialaidbrowsesessionsandindividual handson assistance.
• Servesasoncamera/voiceovertalenttoshareand demonstrateprogramupdatesand/or of webinar and video applications.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Board of Regents is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment resources for individuals with disabilities see the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide at of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer