Academic Counselor (Student Services Professional II, Range 1) College Advising

San Francisco State University is an institution dedicated to advancing social justice and educational equity. Applicants who have experience working with an anti-racism lens and towards racial justice are encouraged to apply.

The Academic Advisor/Graduation Specialist provides consistent accurate moderately complex general academic advising services to undergraduate students. This position works on a college advising team (Lam Family College of Business College of Ethnic Studies College of Liberal and Creative Arts College of Health and Social Sciences College of Science and Engineering or the Graduate College of Education) within the Undergraduate Advising Center and advises students from their third year through graduation. The incumbent collaborates with faculty staff and administrators to deliver advising services with a focus on upper division students and those who are close to graduation. Working under general supervision the Academic Advisor/Graduation Specialist provides advising focused on setting goals to facilitate students success persistence and degree completion in a timely manner. The Academic Advisor/Graduation Specialist also advises at new student orientations.

The Academic Advisor/Graduation Specialist reports directly to an advising manager in the Division of Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning and also works closely with the Advising Lead and Academic Counselors from their assigned college advising team.

Academic Advising

• Providing academic advising to undergraduate students on major/minor requirements and sequencing general education areas graduation requirements college-based policies and other related policies and procedures (through individual appointments drop-in advising and group workshops)
• Monitoring and assessing students progress in achieving their path to success and making adjustments to their path based on the progress and changing needs of the student; identifying current and potential challenges (e.g. adjustment to college time-management) and actively coaching students through such challenges; making appropriate referrals to campus resources
• Resolving moderately complex advising-related situations by applying knowledge of academic policy and recommending an appropriate course of action to students
• Working closely with the Advising Manger and Advising Lead of their assigned college advising teamDelivering workshops for students in their assigned college with a focus on preparing and reviewing students for graduation
• Serving as an advisor to new transfer students as part of orientation
• Following up with students via email and maintaining electronic advising summary reports/notes and data on students served
• Attending all campus-wide advisor trainings related to academic advising

Project Coordination

• Assisting in the development of college-based advising tools and resources (both online and in print)
• Assisting in implementing projects within their college advising team and the Undergraduate Advising Center
• Outreaching to juniors and seniors in support of timely degree completion
• Keeping accurate records and gathering information/data related to campaigns and advising interactions

Other duties as assigned

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences public or business administration or a job-related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge and Abilities: Working knowledge of the practices procedures and activities of the program to which assigned; general knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management. General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.

Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations; use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements; obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect compile analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data; advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required; recognize multicultural multisexed and multi -aged value systems and work accordingly; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty CSU administrators student organizations private and public agencies and others in committee work and student advising and community contacts; and rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation functions and programs of the campus to which assigned. Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office.

Possession of these knowledge and abilities typically is demonstrated through the Experience requirements below.

Experience:

Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A masters degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Knowledge of:

• principles and techniques of individual advising
• academic personal and career planning and goal setting
• student services and programs on a college/university campus
• problem-solving and conflict resolution strategies
• current software technology and online resources

Ability to:

• apply interviewing techniques and facilitating academic advising sessions one-to-one
• actively listen to students; provide accurate respectful and effective communication (oral and written) to students staff faculty and administrators; exercise confidentiality discretion and judgment; handle moderately sensitive interpersonal issues
• keep supervisor adequately informed demonstrate regular attendance and positive performance evaluations
• establish and maintain effective working relationships; work closely with a diverse population and ability to relate well with students staff faculty and administrators
• quickly learn and apply Title V California State University and San Francisco State University policies and procedures; SF State general education requirements for continuing students and the new requirements effective Fall 2014
• assist with workshops and presentations
• use PeopleSoft Campus Solutions Educational Advisory Board (EAB) Microsoft Office Suite and Canvas

Experience in:

• providing effective academic advising to students from diverse cultural ethnic socioeconomic academic sexual orientation and disability backgrounds in a one-to-one setting -providing information on Title V California State University and San Francisco State University policies and procedures