GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The Academic Advisor serves as an integral part of TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS), a federally funded TRIO Program. This individual will provide academic counseling for TRIO SSS students to include learning and academic needs assessments, as well as study and learning strategies to promote skill building for students enrolled in the program. This individual will also oversee all career and graduate school services provided by the program.

This is a permanent full time position. The successful candidate will have 9 weeks off annually during summer months. Salary will be spread across 12 months. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Meet with students individually to monitor academic progress and provide advising for academic and career-related issues.
2. Orient students to the Fitchburg State University advising system (General Education and programmatic requirements); facilitate pre-advising for course selection each semester.
3. Provide tailored services necessary for students to achieve and maintain good academic standing.
4. Counsel and assist students with graduate admissions process.
5. Collaborate with advisees, faculty, and staff to monitor, analyze and evaluate academic progress.
6. Make referrals and coordinate services with other support and academic departments as needed.
7. Utilize assessment tools and inventories as necessary to identify academic and career needs; develop and maintain individual graduation plans for a caseload of 60-80 students.
8. Develop and present workshops and seminars on topics related to student success, academic skills development, career readiness, and graduate school exploration.
9. Coordinate all services, events, and resources pertaining to graduate school and career-related topics.
10. Promote student involvement in community and campus activities, internships, fieldwork opportunities and other work experience.
11. Coordinate and participate in program sponsored social/cultural activities.
12. Serve on institutional committees, participate in campus events, and/or contribute to NEOA and MEOA initiatives to advocate for student support services.
13. Seek and attend opportunities for professional development.
14. Assume other appropriate responsibilities as assigned by the director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree in counseling, psychology, education, or related field preferred.
2. Working knowledge of students with disabilities, low-income and first-generation needs.
3. Minimum of two years’ experience working with disadvantaged, disabled or other under-represented populations.  Prior TRIO experience preferred.
4. Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and other relevant Employment Legislation.
5. Understanding of and experience working with mentor programs.
6. Experience working in education setting, post-secondary preferred.
7. Excellent oral & written communications skills. Excellent organizational skills.
8. Some evening or weekends work may be required.
9. Experience working collaboratively with diverse groups.
10. Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board (CORI check); a background check satisfactory to the university and must be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 or have a documented and approved exemption.
11. Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

About Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University, located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 7,000 full and part-time students.

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