Lead Academic Counselor - (Student Services Professional IV) - College Advising/DUEAP

Apply now Job no:539519
Work type:Staff
Location:San Francisco
Categories:Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Counselor (Non-instructional Faculty), Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

*SFSU INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY*

Working Title

Lead Academic Counselor

SF State University

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.

Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State's policy prohibiting discrimination, and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling (415) 338-2032 or emailing [email protected].

San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus.  Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University properties.

The person holding this position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect  Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code.  The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Department

College Advising/DUEAP

Appointment Type

This is a one-year probationary position.

Time Base

Full-Time (1.0 FTE)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday ; 8am - 5pm

Anticipated Hiring Range

$6,019.00 - $6,340.00 Per Month ($72,228.00 - $76,080.00 Annually)

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Position Summary

The Lead Academic Counselor works in the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) within the Division of Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning (DUEAP). The UAC serves as SF State’s primary advising location for undergraduates seeking academic advising. In collaboration with the Director of College Advisors, the Lead Academic Counselor supports and leads a team of academic advisors and counselors in providing individual and group advising to students in the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE). In addition, the Lead Academic Counselor also advises students with complex and often highly sensitive academic issues, using a high degree of professionalism, analytical skills, and knowledge to interpret campus/CSU policies and effectively resolve student concerns. The Lead Academic Counselor supports the University’s strategic plan by designing, leading, executing, and evaluating advising-related projects that result in improved student outcomes for retention, persistence, and degree completion. The Lead Academic Counselor reports directly to the Director of College Advisors, an advising manager in the Division of Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning. The incumbent functions under general supervision, but with a high degree of autonomy to organize work, set priorities and identify approaches to handle unusual situations. The Lead Academic Counselor works with staff, faculty and administrators to assess areas for service improvement and implement new initiatives. The incumbent also consults and liaises with other campus units to provide resolution for unique advising problems. The person holding this position applies intentional planning to address specific advising problems and identify solutions. Lastly, the Lead Academic Counselor is responsible for independently building and implementing a pre-health advising program, focusing on strengthening the pipeline of SF State students entering into health-related careers.

Position Information

Advising - The Lead Academic Counselor employs counseling techniques to facilitate and provide general academic advising services to at-risk students, with a focus on highly complex cases. The Lead Academic Counselor leads other advisors and assists in the organization and delivery of advising services. The incumbent will acquire and possess an in-depth knowledge of CSU/campus policy and degree programs/requirements to provide specialized advising to students, including:

• Interpreting highly complex CSU policies and applying it to unique student cases with no previously established precedent or practice.
• Assisting high-risk students with complex and sensitive concerns in course selection, major exploration, GE advising, petition consultation, and academic probation advising.
• Providing strategic planning and advanced academic advising for those high-risk students with complex issues around probation, disenrollment, reinstatement, withdrawal or any exceptions to policies. 
• Diplomatically advise students on sensitive issues ranging
• Utilizing analytical and clinical skills in decision-making to identify/recommend appropriate corrective measures to alleviate academic challenges.
• Maintaining a strong command of advising and counseling techniques working with highly complex student cases involving academic, career, psychosocial, cultural, and financial concerns. 
• Identifying critical or urgent matters (e.g. suicidal or hostile students) and take immediate action and/or make referrals.
• Building relationships with key individuals in support service departments (Disability Programs and Resource Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Food+Shelter+Success, etc.).
• Advising incoming students at transfer student orientations during the summer and winter. 
• Attending all campus-wide and DUEAP-sponsored advisor trainings to keep abreast of advising-related information and policies. 
• Utilizing Navigator/EAB to manage individual and group student appointments and workshops; maintain advising summary reports in Navigator/EAB.

Lead/Coordination - The Lead Academic Counselor, in consultation with their DUEAP manager, will communicate with faculty and departments in the College of Science and Engineering regarding advising strategies and initiatives. The Lead Academic Counselor will acquire and possess a working knowledge of degree programs to provide specialized consulting to other campus advising units. The incumbent will utilize high-functioning critical thinking skills to execute the following:

• Collaborate with the Director of College Advisors to lead and support a team of approximately 8 academic counselors/advisors (SSP IIs and SSP IIIs) and graduate interns
• Assist with coordinating daily advising operations for the COSE advising team in the Undergraduate Advising Center - Act as lead for the COSE advising team, providing regular support for advisors/counselors and keeping the Director of College Advisors informed about work progress and challenges 
• Assist with leading advising projects for the COSE advising team and provide regular feedback to the Director of College Advisors regarding the execution and advancement of project-related work
• Meet bi-weekly with advisors/counselors on the CoSE advising team, providing support to resolve complex advising cases and checking in on projects 
• Maintain schedules and assist with coordinating coverage when staff are sick or on vacation, as well as support the coordination of the COSE advising team’s involvement in campus-wide advising activities (New Student Orientation, Admissions-related events, etc.) 
• Aid the Director of College Advisors in new staff training, ongoing support training, advisor development, and serve as an advising resource by providing advising policy updates to academic advisors/counselors and graduate interns 
• Work with a high level of independence in responding to program-wide and student-focused issues by prioritizing, critically analyzing alternatives, projecting outcomes, and implementing solutions

Pre-Health Advising Coordination - The Lead Academic Counselor will co-coordinate Pre-Health advising and programming for students to assist them in exploring their interests, skills, and goals and developing a plan to become a competitive applicant for their chosen health profession program. Through various formats, the incumbent will plan, facilitate, and oversee the smooth and efficient operation of Pre-Health events and projects designed to inform, support, and motivate students to become successful candidates for health professional schools. The Lead Academic Counselor will work in tangent with the other Pre-Health advising lead to provide the following:

• Develop, implement, execute, and evaluate new services for Pre-Health advising at SF State to help students make informed career decisions, including but not limited to: workshops, panels, guest speakers, organize visits from representatives of health professional school admissions offices, and moderate panels 
• Serve as a point person to other offices on campus regarding health professions advising, prepare and present pre-health workshops, participate on panels as requested, and be a training resource for the campus advising community (60+ academic counselors/advisors) on Pre-Health professions and curricular pathways 
• Maintain current knowledge of requirements for, and national and state trends in, professional school admissions for health professions and information pertaining to regional and national organizations (e.g., AAMC, AMCAS,) 
• In collaboration with Career & Leadership Development (CLD), develop and maintain curricular content and application information on the Pre-Health Advising website for the campus, ensuring accuracy and relevance to career exploration and future education in various health professions

 Develop, Implement, Evaluate Advising Services - The Lead Academic Counselor will coordinate and implement special or new CoSE advising team and UAC advising projects.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities: The following knowledge and abilities as well as those listed at lower levels in the Student Services Professional series are required for appointment to this classification. Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the program area to which assigned or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge. General knowledge of the policies, practices and activities of Student Services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned; general knowledge of the principles, problems and methods of public administration, including organizational, personnel and fiscal management; general knowledge of advanced statistical and research methods. Ability to carry out very complex assignments without detailed instructions; advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters; determine the appropriate course of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals and groups in personal interactions of a sensitive nature; reason logically and analyze and solve organizational and operating problems of one or several program areas; plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement administrative or group decisions or recommendations; analyze and define complex organizational, policy or procedural problems, collect and evaluate data, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; understand the roles and responsibilities of others and to gauge relationships accordingly by taking into account the variety of the interrelationships, motivations and goals of the members of the organization served; and establish and maintain effective, cooperative and harmonious working relationships in circumstances which involve the denial of requests or the necessity to persuade others to accept a different point of view. Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the Experience requirements below.

Experience: Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent to four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job‑related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited university in counseling, higher education, student affairs, social work, or a related discipline.

Desired Experience or Skills:

• Four years of progressively professional work experience in academic advising. The incumbent’s experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. 
• Two or more years of experience leading professional staff/academic counselors in a higher education environment. - Knowledge of student development and/or counseling theory and its application to academic counseling and student support services. 
• Experience in creating and leading workshops/trainings and communicating complex information to faculty, staff, and students on an ongoing basis.
• Experience in planning, coordinating and executing projects, working with multiple stakeholders. - Experience supporting underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students and coordinating programs to support the needs of this population. 
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to use conflict resolution skills and professional communication when resolving complex issues and de-escalating challenging interactions with students and campus partners. 
• Knowledge of the California State University (CSU) System, San Francisco State University, and California secondary education. 
• Knowledge of graduation requirements and processes, as well as the obstacles students face in college.
• Experience using PeopleSoft, EAB, Microsoft Office Suite, and advising-related software and technology (Assist.org, College Scheduler, etc.)

Environmental/Physical/Special

Regular work hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday with the ability to offer advising both inperson and remotely through Zoom. Schedule to be determined by advising manager in the Division of Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning. Ability to work occasional weekend hours and evening hours, if needed. Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, within three business days from their date of hire.

Benefits

Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions.  SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.

CSUEU Position (For CSUEU Positions Only)

Eligible and qualified on-campus applicants, currently in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 are given hiring preference.

Additional Information

SF STATE IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (i.e. H1-B VISAS).

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU).  CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California.  Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception.  While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.

CSU strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process are encouraged to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to [email protected].

The Human Resources office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (415) 338-1872.

Please note that this position, position requirements, application deadline and/or any other component of this position is subject to change or cancellation at any time.

*SFSU INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY*

Advertised:May 14, 2024 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:Open Until Filled