Military and Veterans Program Advisor

Tidewater Community College has served South Hampton Roads – both students and employers – for 50 years. It has grown from 1 campus into a regional educational and economic force. TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads, enrolling nearly 28,000 students in 2019-20. Founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System, Tidewater Community College (TCC) services South Hampton Roads with 4 campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, 7 regional centers and 2 important cultural institutions. The college had 3,203 graduates in 2019-2020, 40 percent of whom pursued degrees that would let them transfer to 4-year institutions. Of South Hampton Roads residents enrolled in higher education 36% enrolled at TCC. TCC’s institutional accreditation is affirmed through 2027 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
As a member of the Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE), located at the Tidewater Community College (TCC) Virginia Beach Campus, the Program Advisor position supports CMVE Coordinator for Outreach and Student Engagement in recruitment and student engagement initiatives for the Director, Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE). This position provides academic support services specifically targeted to military-related students to include active duty, guard, reserves, veterans, and their family members, and military associated civil service employees. The position is part of a team established to deliver these high-quality support services to military-related students in conformity to the same services delivered on TCC campuses and in compliance with any and all requirements of the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding for Tuition Assistance. The position involves regular collaboration with college and campus staff, including campus student services deans, faculty, and student services personnel as well as collaboration with the military department education offices. Its purpose is to provide student support services and develop an appropriate course schedule for on-base locations and to promote the college’s credit and non-credit workforce development programs and services on-base.
The Program Advisor manages one or multiple on-base military service offices. The position develops and implements programs and services to serve government agencies in Hampton Roads. This position reports directly to the Coordinator of Student Engagement.
The position supports the vision of TCC as established in the institution’s strategic plan, Innovate 2026.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide leadership for all on-campus and distance learning advising, counseling and student support services in support of military-related students.
2. Develop and implement procedures to support academic advising and counseling of military-related students for courses, degrees, and certificates, both credit and non-credit, through multi-delivery methodology, such as the internet, DVD, and mobile devices.
3. Provide leadership for the advising, counseling, and student support for military-related students under the various programs housed in the CMVE, including but not limited to:
a. Existing and any future on-campus or military distance learning programs to include the Community College of the Navy, Community College of the Air Force and ArmyIgnitED;
b. All academic programs for military spouses and dependents, such as MyCAA and transferability of GI Bill educational benefits;
c. Review of military student transcripts and awarding of appropriate credit for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), Navy and Coast Guard Rates as recommended by the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, and review with appropriate academic deans, faculty, and administrative staff for maximum credit award consistent with academic standards;
d. Development of military degree plans for the College’s degrees and certifications based on the awarding of appropriate credit for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and Navy Rates and Ratings as recommended by the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services;
e. Financial aid to include military tuition assistance, veteran’s educational benefits, scholarships, federal financial aid, and other student financial assistance programs.
4. Provide leadership in working with college staff, veteran’s organizations, and other agencies to provide employment assistance to military-related students.
5. Represent the CMVE in meetings on advising, counseling, and student services programs.
6. Work collaboratively with other college departments to enroll and track military-related students.
7. Participate in information sessions for military-related students to inform them of college academic programs and services, both credit and non-credit.
8. Provide regular input to support advising and counseling of military-related students through the college’s military website.
9. In collaboration with the Director, Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE), the Coordinator for Outreach and Student Engagement and other college departments, will develop materials for and provide information on TCC and CMVE programs and services to military-related students.
10. Supervise staff, train, and promote staff involvement to maximize performance and inspire staff to self-improvement, to include:
a. Ensure expectations are clear, well communicated, and related to the goals and objectives of the department or unit.
b. Provide staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate and ensure staff has the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals.
c. Ensure all requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and evaluations are completed by established deadlines with proper documentation and any performance issues are addressed and documented as they occur.
d. Review safety issues are communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absences.
11. Perform such other tasks as assigned by the Director, Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE). May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (Counseling, Advising or degree related to higher education is preferred).
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in functions as delineated above, preferably in a community college setting.
• Demonstrated ability to academically advise local and world-wide military related students of diverse backgrounds, often operating in dynamic military environments, regarding identification and achievement of higher education goals.
• Demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive transfer planning and advising to military related students
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of Tuition Assistance (TA) for the various military branches.
• Demonstrate ability to provide guidance to students regarding the various Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits.
• Ability to train office staff and student assistants in carrying out the functions of advising and support services.
• Skilled in the use of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail, and other information technology applications.
• Knowledge of student information systems and their use in advising and providing student services.
• Demonstrated understanding of the awarding of appropriate credit for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), Navy and Coast Guard Rates and Ratings as recommended by the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact frequently with internal and external customers using both verbal and written communications skills to discuss career planning and academic advising
• Demonstrated understanding of and belief in the mission of a comprehensive community college, particularly as it relates to advising and support services for military-related students.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student assessment, education and career planning, admission, registration and retention principles and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deliver presentations and organize special programs and events to support the mission of the CMVE.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, collect, interpret, analyze, and manage data.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and promote teamwork in a student-centered environment.
• Proficiency in and demonstrated customer relations skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply Virginia Community College System (VCCS), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and college policies and procedures as they relate to student services and faculty support.

• Ability to provide project or team leadership.
• Knowledge of Virginia Community College System
• Knowledge of articulation agreements and transfer credit
• Experience with counseling in community college environment
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, effectively, and efficiently.
• Experience as an active-duty member of the military, with preference to the U.S. Navy.
• Demonstrated skills in the use of social media platforms to include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest.

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link:  http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.

The VCCS is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), VCCS will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.