Academic Advising Specialist II



Academic Advising Specialist II

Salary

$55,391.00 - $70,168.00 Annually

Location

WHC Firebaugh, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

4100040

Department

Grants, Planning, Research

Opening Date

07/06/2022

Closing Date

7/24/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description

Firebaugh Center
Academic Advising Specialist II
Department: TRIO/CalWORKS

Classified Range 56

- Schedule -
12 Months a year/ 40 Hours a week
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*This position is contingent on continued grant funded.*
*Ending date 08/30/2025*

Position Duties

Summary
Reporting to the Director of Title IV Projects, provides enrollment, academic, and career advising and information to pre-college and college students.  Enhances student achievement by coordinating and participating in educational assistance, activities, and events designed to encourage or improve college attendance or experience.  Provides support to Counselors and Student Services staff.

Distinguishing Career Features
The Academic Advising Specialist is a senior technical and/or entry professional position in academic advising and counseling.  Advancement to this position requires the education and experience listed below plus a demonstrated competency in and ability to identify and enhance education opportunity of students in special or target populations.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provides academic advising ranging from course alternatives, degree and certificate requirements, and transfer information to students on a drop-in basis or by   appointment.  Suggests alternative courses and experiences that may better address students’ educational goals and retention.  Refers students to a Counselor or  to other college resources for advanced guidance.
Interprets student placement and career assessment results and links placement test scores to advising content.  Provides related advisement for general college   preparation, financial aid, and school selection.
Assists students with career exploration based on career counseling completed by Counselors and assessment results.  Assists in interpreting test results and in   planning and implementing a prescriptive academic program that meets each student's needs.
Provides information to students on degrees, certificates, programs, and individual courses. Interprets degree/major requirements, and articulation agreements   and transfer guides to four-year colleges.  Directs students to a variety of information and resources as needed for educational planning.
Assists students in completing graduation, certificate, and general petitions.  Verifies that transfer requirements have been met.  Verifies that enrollment and   courses are completed.
Illustrates to students the process for applying to colleges, seeking financial aid, and accessing other services. 
Develops materials and provides general information to students on college policies and regulations.
Researches career patterns, occupation and labor market trends, and other information to support discussion with students on career and educational planning. 
Maintains and updates student information on a database or equivalent resource. Ensures accurate information.  Prepares statistical and evaluative reports as   required by funding sources or the College.
Assists students in the college enrollment process, including scheduling classes.
Assists Counselors and others in conducting new student orientation. 
Prepares and delivers presentations to
Maintains a supply of flyers, pamphlets, and worksheets designed to inform students of school services, financial aid, student activities, community resources,   and employment.  May develop materials that are beneficial to students.
Participates with others, including other programs in activities such as career fairs and college visitations.
Receives and refers calls for counseling and other areas.  Performs routine customer service functions of a clerical nature such as file maintenance, mailings,   reports, and correspondence.
Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Knowledge and Skills
The position requires an in-depth working knowledge of the activities associated with providing customer service, and support to students in an academic counseling and advising setting.  Requires a well-developed knowledge of the philosophy and practices of student learning and student success.  Requires knowledge of the processes used for general academic advising.  Requires a working knowledge of student support services such as financial aid and employment.  Requires an in-depth knowledge of community college and transfer program requirements.  Requires a working knowledge of modern office systems, practices and procedures including skill at using personal computer software such as word processing and academic databases.  Requires knowledge of population demographics focusing on characteristics and needs of students with diverse backgrounds.  Requires skill in writing professional communications, reports, and materials.  Requires well-developed human relations skill to convey policies, procedures, and instructions to others, to make presentations to small groups, and to persuade students toward a course of action.

Abilities
Requires the ability to carry out the essential functions of the position.  Requires the ability to learn District and College policies and procedures as well as those associated with counseling and advising.  Requires the ability to interpret major sheets and course descriptions, financial aid, assessment, and placement examination results.  Requires the ability to use a personal computer and common office productivity software, conduct internet research, enter data onto established data entry screens, and produce reports with routine queries.  Requires the ability to interact productively with a wide range of students of varying abilities and background, including economic, social, and cultural diversity.  Requires the ability to exercise a positive attitude, patience, empathy, compassion, and good judgment when dealing with others.

Physical Abilities
Requires sufficient ambulatory ability to move to various campus and off-site locations.  Requires had-arm-eye coordination to operate a personal computer keyboard.  Requires visual acuity to recognize words and numbers.  Requires auditory ability to carry on conversations and to project voice to small groups.

Qualification

Education and Experience
The position requires the equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree in education, psychology, sociology or equivalent discipline and one year of experience in college or trade school advising or similar form of customer service oriented to students.  Alternatively, the position may accept an Associate’s degree and 5 years of experience in admissions, counseling support, or related area providing experience with transcripts and matriculation.

Licenses and Certificates
Requires a valid driver’s license.

Supplemental Information

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
  1. Completed Online Application
  2. Professional resume.
  3. Unofficial transcripts verifying course work completed and degree(s) received.

***It is the candidate's responsibility to make sure that all required materials have been received. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.***

West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Background Check: All of our positions require the ability to pass a background and live scan.

Drug Testing: In accordance with the Drug Free Environment of  WHCCD, The applicant understands that if he/she is selected for employment, as a part of their employment they will be required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a part of the health examination.

Selection Process: Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a qualifications screening by a committee. Those demonstrating the strongest backgrounds related to the position will be invited to interview.

West Hills Community College District offers a comprehensive benefit package. Benefits offered are as follows:
 
· 12 Vacation Days
· 21 Sick Days
· $50,000 Life Insurance Policy
· $25,000 Accidental Life Insurance Policy
· Disability Insurance
· Employee Educational Assistance
· Medical
· Dental
· Vision
· Prescription

 
Retirement: CalPERS 
 
Current Employee Contribution for Insurance Premium s are as follows:
 
· $281.00 per Month for Plan A 100%
· $181.00 per Month for Plan B 90%
· Covered by the District Plan C 80%
· Covered by the District HSA-B
 
 

Agency
West Hills Community College District
Address
275 Phelps Ave

Coalinga, California, 93210
Phone
(559) 934-2155
(559) 934-2155