Academic Advisor

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, Probationary

Collective Bargaining Unit: Academic Professionals of California– APC (Unit 4)

Job Classification: Student Services Professional III

Classification Salary Range: $5,025 - $7,159 per month

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,025 - $5,736 per month

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, unless notified otherwise

Recruitment Closing Date: 5/24/2023

THE DEPARTMENT

Student Support and Equity Programs (SSEP) aims to make a positive difference in the lives of non-traditional students through high quality programs and services that promote access, equity, and educational opportunities in support of student learning and success. The department oversees various programs and service areas that support underserved populations that are primarily first generation, low-income, underrepresented students such as, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Renaissance Scholars (RS), and Undocumented Students Services (USS).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Serve as the academic advisor for students participating in the Educational Opportunity Program:

• Provide supplemental advising and coaching for caseload of assigned EOP students and other underserved populations.
• Build trusting relationships with a diverse student population through personalized, constructive, engaging, motivating, and informative advising and coaching sessions each semester.
• Guide EOP students in developing educational plans to enhance their learning and empower them to meet degree requirements and persist to graduation.
• Support students by providing information, referrals, and other assistance by explaining university policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Monitor academic progress and commitment to fulfilling requirements as specified in the EOP/Renaissance Scholars partnership agreement/s.
• Refer students experiencing academic and/or personal difficulties to appropriate campus and community resources for assistance such as CAPS, Financial Aid, Disability Resource Center, the Care Center, etc.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, and student groups within an academic college to promote effective partnerships in working with EOP students.
• Track individual advising contacts, referrals, and follow-up activities for reporting and evaluation – often through CPP Connect and other electronic file systems.
• Assist with reviewing prospective EOP student applications to assess incoming class needs.

Implement and facilitate a post-baccalaureate preparation workshops/seminars for EOP students in collaboration with SSEP’s Advising Team, academic departments, and other individuals and offices at CPP:

• Identify undergraduate EOP students exhibiting promise for post baccalaureate pursuits and lead outreach efforts to encourage early preparation for advanced degree opportunities.
• Gather and share information about graduate school requirements with staff and students, and make referrals to appropriate on- and off-campus resources and programs.
• Collaborate with individual colleges, the Career Center, Alumni Affairs Office, and other campus entities and programs such as McNair Scholars, etc. to identify and promote activities that help EOP students prepare for graduate school and/or their future careers.
• Periodically facilitate workshops and related events to promote preparation of EOP students for graduate and/or professional programs early in their undergraduate career including but not limited to topics about graduate school application processes, personal statements, exams, etc.

In collaboration with the SSEP Advising Team, design, plan, and implement various group advising programs for first year and transfer EOP students participating in summer transition programs:

• Collaborate with the Advising Team to identify essential topics relevant to student development and transition to college.
• Create advising agendas and activities for Summer Bridge and Transfer Bridge Advising Seminar sessions.
• Facilitate Summer Bridge Advising Seminars which introduce new EOP students to the university's academic policies and regulations, campus resources, financial planning, and how to succeed in college. Consult with faculty on student progress, develop intervention strategies, and meet individually with students to assess progress and set personal goals.
• Advise a group of Summer Bridge students by helping them review their fall course schedule, and supporting with any additional questions regarding scheduling and registration.
• Contribute to designing and implementing department programs, including facilitating presentations and tours, orienting students to program expectations and services, and conducting small group advising sessions.

Participate in meetings, committees, and professional development activities:

• Meet regularly with Lead; follow up on action items as appropriate.
• Participate in SSEP and Advising Team meetings, in-service training sessions, retreats, planning conferences, and other professional development activities.
• Serve on appropriate committees and in various campus organizations, representing the interests of SSEP and its constituents.
• Participate in professional organizations and keep abreast of new developments in academic advising, educational counseling, postsecondary access and equity programs, and student development and retention theory, research, and practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three (3) years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
• A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience.
• A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three (3) years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior. General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the program area to which assigned.
• General knowledge of individual counseling techniques.
• General knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned. Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned. Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters.
• Ability to determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required. 
• Knowledge of critical issues impacting higher education, deep commitment to educational equity and student success, and skill in working effectively with multiple and diverse constituencies to create and sustain positive learning experiences for students.
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, high level of energy and flexibility, and the ability to handle multiple assignments, manage time effectively, and work independently and as part of a coordinated team. 
• Computer literacy in Windows and Microsoft Office.
• Experience in academic advising, teaching, and/or counseling; experience working with low-income and diverse student populations; proficiency in PeopleSoft and Microsoft applications.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks at once while remaining composed;
• Ability to retain and utilize large amounts of detailed information and quickly access and utilize additional information in the moment;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including phone and in-person, emails, texts, etc.
• Technology savvy;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, handle and prioritize simultaneous requests;
• Self-starter who advocates for self;
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills;
• Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills;
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to exercise independent judgment;
• Ability to cultivate strong interpersonal customer and co-worker relationships and work effectively cross divisionally;
• Ability to read and interpret complex information, talk with customers, and listen attentively
• Must protect the confidentiality of student personal information and comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Must comply with all university procedures and policies

COVID-19 Vaccination

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who physically access campus facilities or programs to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes obtaining a COVID-19 booster dose, or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11030468/latest .

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California.   The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10899725/latest/ . 

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any criminal conviction history, considering such factors as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. See policy at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//documents/employment-policies/hr2017-17.pdf .  

I-9

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is 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. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10927154/latest/ .

Smoking

Cal Poly Pomona is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/ . 

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal Poly Pomona Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/campus-safety-plan.shtml .

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at [email protected] . More information is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//access-accommodations/index.shtml .

EEO

Cal Poly Pomona is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. The university subscribes to the pay transparency nondiscrimination provision and all state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. More information is available at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf and at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor/documents/aa-eeo-doc/policy-statement_2022-aap-for-california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona_confidential_20220127.pdf .