Located 45 minutes from the Nation’s Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has been twice named in the top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America’s top 100 producers of Minority associate degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.
The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range.
The Academic and Career Advisor provides advisement and registration guidance to students which requires ascertaining students’ goals and assisting in the planning for attainment of those goals. The Advisor serves as a liaison to academic departments, college committees, and community organizations, as directed. Additionally, the Advisor provides career advisement to students; including but not limited to personal interest assessments, career identification and planning, job coaching, and job search training.
Reports to: Assistant Director of Advising
The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check.
This position is open until filled. The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
65 % Academic Advising
Provide information to prospective students regarding the College of Southern Maryland.Ensure students are taking correct courses for transfer to specific programs and particular institutions.Advise students about academic requirements and selection of courses.Interpret placement test scores, advise students of course placement, and work with students to develop an educational plan based on placement, academic and life goals and career aspirations.Review and interpret placement and other standardized test scores, unofficial transcripts, and courses prerequisitesPerform and interpret degree audits.Monitor student progress of academically deficient students requiring ongoing contact with student and instructor(s).Facilitate Start Smart orientations and First Advising Sessions.Process course waivers, prerequisite waivers, prerequisite override documentation, academic clemency requests, portfolio assessment applications, and drop/add forms as required.Assist students with academic based computerized systems (i.e. ARTSYS).Inform students of articulation agreements applicable to desired programs.Research course descriptions to determine transferability. Evaluate the transfer of credits.Assist students with interpretation of transfer requirements for articulation agreements and transfer options in general, if applicable.Complete/update program evaluations for students as needed.Assist students in completing graduation applications and verifying data.Monitor student registration activities and recommend solutions to academic difficulties.Maintain accurate records (including electronic records) of interactions with students.15% Career Advising
Collaborate with the Career Services Departments at other campuses to ensure coordination of comprehensive services and activities across campuses.Provide career advisement and registration for students, which requires ascertaining student’s goals and assisting in the planning for student’s attainment of these goals.Assist students with career planning.Provide job readiness assistance to co-op students; maintains contact with co-op faculty advisors; registers students for co-op classes.Provide contact for students who are undecided about career or college goals.Provide career advisement to students; to include personal interest assessments, career identification and planning, job readiness assessments, job coaching, and job search training.Organize, develop, and promote career related events both on campus and to the community, school system, and students including collaborating with marketing, outside employers, agencies, and school systems.20% Administrative
Serve as liaison to academic departments, college committees, and community organizations as directed by supervisor. Track program changes, maintain contact with department chair and faculty, and provide input to department about program changes that may adversely affect student progress. Report back to the Advising, Career, and Enrollment group.Provide referrals to other campus and community resources regarding student issues; both academic and personal.Maintain systematic and frequent contact with advisees.Coordinate communications to the students regarding such things as registration and academic probation: this may include the maintenance of a student listserv.Conduct advisement workshops.Coordinate with middle school and high school counselors to develop collaborative relationships for the purposes of providing early academic awareness programs and interventions in public schools.Mentor a College Success Skills class during the fall and spring semesters.Maintain tracking systems of student contact and classifications for reporting purposes, such as academic and career assistance, workshops and classroom visits, orientation and others as directed by supervisor.Leads in-class academic presentations.Serves on task forces related to improving the delivery of student services.Develop innovative solutions to managing a large student caseload and disseminating student services information.Participate in the development, implementation, review, presentation, and revision of orientation for first-time college students and transfer students.Serves on committees that directly impact the vision of the department.Monitor student registration activities and recommend solutions to academic difficulties.Maintain accurate records (including electronic records) of interactions with students.Advocates for students when appropriate.Serve as liaison and foster intentional relationships with other advisors, offices, colleges, and departments. Refer students to the appropriate specialized staff for such issues as comprehensive counseling, financial assistance, study abroad, etc.
Additional Duties:
Performs other related duties as assigned.
BS or BA degree required with two years’ experience in career development, education, advising or four years’ experience in related field.Experience with computer data entry and Microsoft Office Suite.
Minimum Qualifications and Standards RequiredKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to disseminate information on institutional policies and procedures.Ability to understand the institution's interpretation of FERPA rules for the release of student information to faculty, parents, students, etc.Ability to stay abreast of changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course changes, deadlines, important dates, costs, expanding facilities, updates in college-wide initiatives, transfer requirements, and state and federal mandates.Skilled in assisting students in a college setting in academic and/or career development, and knowledgeable of graduation requirements.Ability to lead group workshops.Excellent communication skills; written and oral.Ability to work with a diverse population with a wide variety of needs.Knowledge of community resources accessible to customers.Ability to work with limited supervision.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is light work which requires exerting up to twenty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to ten pounds of force to move objects.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a relatively safe and secure work environment.