Academic Advisor - (Academic Counselor- Grade 5)

Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA Full-time Education

Posted on April 8, 2024

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Academic Advisor - (Academic Counselor- Grade 5)

Category: Professional
Department: Academic Planning 
Locations: Worcester, MA
Posted: Nov 19, 2023
Closes:
Type: Full Time
Position ID: 170010

About Quinsigamond Community College:

Quinsigamond Community College (QCC), the largest community college in Central Massachusetts serving over 13,000 students in degree and certificate programs, adult education and workforce development. QCC offers over 70 associate degree and certificate career options in Business, Health Care, Technology, Liberal Arts, and Human Services. Additionally, over 137 credit and 300 noncredit courses are offered online, as well as a wide variety of classroom non-credit courses, workshops, and seminars. Classes are provided on the main campus, in downtown Worcester (Healthcare, Workforce Development, Continuing Education), at the Worcester Senior Center (Hospitality & Recreation Management), at Burncoat High School (Automotive Technology), and in the city of Southbridge.

QCC is committed to 100% student success as evidenced by its ambitious strategic plan. This commitment is furthered by a college-wide Equity Appraisal-currently underway-designed to assist the College to better serve students who have historically been underserved and underrepresented in higher education.

QCC is especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or services, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the college academic community.

Job Description:

General Statement:

The Academic Advisor position, which is housed within the Academic Advising Center, is responsible for providing proactive advising to assigned students. The position will ensure that first time, at-risk, first generation, and low-income students are provided special attention to successfully persist through their first year of college, with basic career, academic, and transfer advising, and working collaboratively with other areas in the College. Employing developmental advising techniques, which includes holistic and proactive advising, the advisor will work with assigned student caseloads to develop academic plans that help them stay on track to persist and graduate. The advisor will work closely with all staff in the Advising Center to ensure that students assigned to the Advising Center receive comprehensive advising and assistance with advising related tasks, such as registration. Other responsibilities may include participation in dismissal meetings, intentional retention initiatives, and advising and retention-based projects.

Supervision Received:

Reports to the Executive Director of Advising, Testing, Career and Transfer Services

Duties and Responsibilities:

Advise QCC students as they progress through their academic plans, including, but not limited to academic, career, and transfer advising, evaluating placement scores, evaluating students for general competencies, advise students on their academic plans, course sequencing, and selections, provide information about degree requirements and initial transfer requirements, monitoring academic progress, assist with registration, adding, dropping, or withdrawing from classes, obtaining tutoring and academic assistance, participating in new student orientation, and coordinating advising and registration activities.
Using a case management proactive advising approach, provide outreach to students regarding registration, general enrollment, and early alerts.
Perform all functions related to academic and career planning. This includes but is not limited to providing information about academic programs, support services, and registration in individual and group sessions, career research and information, academic planning meetings, degree audit discussions, short- and long-term goals, early alert flag monitoring and dissemination, and articulation of policies and procedures.
Assist students with petitions, waivers, referrals, and other advising-related tasks and understanding of QCC policies.
Participate in individual and group advising sessions, including FYE presentations, by delivering sessions and working with students on advising needs.
Work with student services departments and programs to provide options, referrals and alternative solutions for students who currently are facing obstacles and challenges; collaborate with internal and external resources to provide wrap-around services for students.
Maintain collaborative working relationships with Student Affairs members, faculty and program coordinators to create supportive structures for student success.
Follow and implement academic standards and policies including monitoring and using interventions for intentional student outreach (phone, in-person meetings, email communications, etc.) by responding to early alert flags raised by student support network partners (faculty, other advisors, program coordinators, etc. ), and providing data for outreach campaigns for at-risk students.
Work with the Advising Center to develop retention tools and strategies; make recommendations for new processes and provide support to faculty in their retention efforts.
Serve as a school liaison and attend identified school meetings as a resource for faculty and staff about advising practices and procedures.
Foster support programs and tools from the campus community by collaborating with departments/divisions such as instruction and student services and serving on various committees.
Resolve complex student challenges by providing innovative solutions grounded in student development theory.
Participate in organized advising and registration events, and advisor training and staff meetings.
Use identified College-wide systems, such as Navigate, student information systems, and other software, to provide comprehensive advising services.
Participate in annual evaluation of performance of duties.
Maintains knowledge of QCC guidelines and program requirements; conveys college rules, regulations, policies and academic options with students to help facilitate student academic success.
Responsible for developing professional relations with students that foster support and collaboration.
Actively supports the teaching and learning process; practicing honesty and integrity in and out of the classroom; striving to create and support a student-centered environment while fostering academic innovation and excellence.
Works actively with other areas of the college to ensure a spirit of college wide collaboration, collegiality, civility, and teamwork. Respects the function of dissent in an academic institution while advancing a collegial atmosphere of campus collaboration.
Embraces the ideals of diversity and inclusiveness and supporting the equal rights of all people by advancing the understanding and appreciation of differences including age, race, gender, ability, religious convictions, socio-economic status, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation.
Provides flexible, responsive and high-quality service to all, be they students, community, or staff, and continuously assessing processes and procedures and revising accordingly.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in counseling, education, human services, or related field.
Experience successfully planning, executing and evaluating programs and initiatives.
Experience working on college retention efforts and student success initiatives.
Three years of experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Ability to communicate effectively and to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working at a comprehensive community college.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Experience with developmental or proactive advising.
Experience with preparing and giving presentations.
Experience with providing student support services.
Bilingual or multicultural.

Additional Information:

Quinsigamond Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Quinsigamond Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are core values at Quinsigamond Community College. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Every member on our college campus enriches our diversity. We support inclusion and are dedicated to ensuring equity in access to opportunities.

Quinsigamond Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.

Application Instructions:

Salary is competitive and commensurate with MCCC salary schedule and dependent upon such factors as education and experience. Minimum starting salary for a Grade 5 (Academic Counselor) with Bachelor's Degree is $63,288-$65,692 with a Master's Degree is $64,292-$66,732 and includes a comprehensive benefits package. 37.5 hours per week.

**Actual salary will be determined in accordance with classification determination of MCCC/MTA salary schedule commensurate with education and experience.

Monday through Thursday 11:00am-7:00pm, Friday 9:00-5:00pm Based on student needs, some evenings and weekends may be required.

Visit our Web Site at www.qcc.edu/human-resources for information about our positions.

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

Resume
Cover Letter
Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Equivalency Statement
Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Quinsigamond Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you don't have access to a computer, please visit Human Resources Office Monday- Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.

Quinsigamond Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office 508-854-2883 or humanresources@qcc.mass.edu.

To apply, visit https://qcc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=170010

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