Academic Advisor - MnSCU Academic Professional 2

Riverland Community College • Albert Lea, MN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Academic Advisor advises students, parents, and high school guidance counselors on multiple areas, including career and program major choices, curriculum, admissions and enrollment procedures, business office policies, financial aid, and housing options.

Requirements

• Minimum three (3) years of related work experience -OR- Bachelor’s degree plus two (2) years of related work experience -OR- an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• An associate degree could be substituted for 6 months of experience, a bachelor’s degree is 12 months, and a master’s degree is 18 months within any of the following disciplines: social sciences, psychology, or related.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse and traditionally underserved backgrounds with varied needs.
• Computer software applications and systems sufficient to manage and query data and create business correspondence, reports, and training presentations.
• Effective written communication and public speaking skills, sufficient to present information clearly and actionable to large groups.
• Human relations customer service sufficient to actively listen to and understand students’ needs and provide accurate information and appropriate alternatives, meet quality of service needs, and evaluate student satisfaction.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Bilingual/Multilingual fluent in Spanish, Karen, Karenni, Somali, Pohnpeian, French, Nuer, Anuak, or other languages that reflect our student body, workforce, and communities.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) or more years of experience working in Student Affairs in Higher Education.
• Previous Minnesota State experience related to Student Affairs.
• Knowledge of college policies and procedures, programs and curriculum, services, and resources for admissions, financial aid, records and registration, and student life to assist applicants and students in making sound educational and career decisions.
• Experience in working with student record systems, project management, and specialty software such as ISRS, Workday, Degree Audit, Perceptive Content, SharePoint.
• Demonstrated experience working with multicultural and underserved populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide educational advising to students by utilizing knowledge of college curriculum, tutorial services, financial aid, and social activities to assist students in the selection of appropriate developmental and academic courses, in obtaining tutorial assistance, and in participating in campus activities to help them make a successful transition to college. Assist with completion and collection of necessary admission and registration documents. Provide assessment preparation resources and understand and interpret assessment scores for course placement or for referrals. Work closely with faculty to support students’ success in and out of the classroom. Interpret Riverland, Minnesota State System, state, and federal statutes, policies, and guidelines and translate them into advising procedures, processes, and services while troubleshooting and problem-solving issues with students to overcome achievement barriers.
• Plan and implement supportive activities related to academic, career, financial aid, and transfer. Identify career and educational options and requirements to maximize student achievement, retention, persistence, and educational goal attainment. Plan and implement retention activities that include but are not limited to cultural enrichment activities, workshops, or individual sessions on interpersonal processes, stress management, time management, decision making, financial literacy, study skills, major selection, career exploration and/or development, and any other workshops that would aid in the participants’ success.
• Track and report on students’ academic progress towards graduation and other academic goals. Identify at-risk students and develop and implement academic recovery plans and retention strategies to ensure student retention and successful completion of their academic programs. Ensure college data integrity, reliability, and accuracy of student records. Identify and help resolve student record data integrity issues. Maintain the confidentiality of student information as required by FERPA. Refer students to appropriate campus and community resources as needed. Supervise work study students when appropriate.
• Participate in college enrollment activities, including representing the college at community events and partnership building opportunities, orienting prospective and new students, and participating in new student registration activities so that prospective and new students receive accurate information, student admissions increase, and students feel welcomed to the college community and complete their academic programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.

Benefits

• 11 paid Holidays
• Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• six weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500)
• a Pension Plan
• 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options
• pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts
• employer paid life insurance
• short and long term disability
• professional development
• a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level