Professional Academic Advisor (PA)

Finger Lakes Community College•Canandaigua, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Professional Academic Advisor works with a designated caseload of students across a variety of programs. The advisor supports students from their initial College registration by explaining available academic support services and strategies, tracking academic progress, and discussing options with students who are experiencing difficulty. The position works primarily at the Canandaigua campus and may include scheduled travel to campus centers. The schedule varies by day and includes daytime, evening, and weekend hours, totaling 37.5 hours per week. The role provides academic advising on requirements and course selection, supports registration, maintains advisee records, evaluates academic standing and recovery needs, and monitors student registration and progress through the College’s early alert system. The advisor collaborates with faculty advisors and Student Affairs, helps students with career and transfer planning, and makes referrals to appropriate College support services. The advisor also interprets academic standards and institutional policies, performs degree audits, and follows applicable requirements for confidential student information.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Education, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.
At least two years of professional experience in academic advising, student support, or working with students.
Ability to work with a diverse student population and provide academic advising, support services, career advising, and transfer advising.
Knowledge and understanding of student development theory and practice.
Ability to identify academic needs and offer solutions.
Professional oral and written communication skills and human relations skills.
Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records.
Ability to handle confidential information respectfully and make referrals as appropriate.
MS Office and database management skills.
Familiarity with computerized student information systems.
Ability to work a varying schedule that includes daytime, evening, and weekend hours for 37.5 hours per week.
Willingness to work primarily at the Canandaigua campus and travel to campus centers at scheduled times.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Experience in a community college setting.
Familiarity with Ellucian student information systems.

Responsibilities

Advise students on academic requirements and course selection.
Assist with coordinating academic advising during registration periods.
Maintain accurate records for each advisee in appropriate systems.
Evaluate students at the end of each semester to determine their status and develop academic recovery plans when appropriate.
Use the College’s Starfish early alert system for the assigned caseload.
Monitor student registration activities and suggest alternatives.
Maintain systematic and frequent contact with advisees.
Collaborate with faculty advisors to support students.
Perform and interpret degree audits, including working with transfer credits.
Understand and communicate graduation requirements.
Provide students with basic information about financial aid processes, guidelines, and programs.
Explain the College’s Academic Standards and advise students affected by them.
Assist students with career and transfer planning.
Refer students as appropriate to career and transfer services, Academic Success and Access Programs (including Disability Services), Community Standards and Counseling, and other support services and offices.
Understand and follow the institution’s interpretation of FERPA rules governing release of student information to faculty, parents, students, and others.
Disseminate information about institutional policies and procedures.
Collaborate within Student Affairs to engage students and encourage participation in curricular and co-curricular activities.
Perform other duties assigned by the Director and/or Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.