Professional Academic Advisor

Job Description

The Department of Computer Science (CS) Professional Academic Advisor is a full-time Administrative and Professional Faculty, calendar-year position that will guide undergraduate students in identifying and achieving their academic and professional goals. As an integral member of the Department of Computer Science and the College of Engineering (COE), the Professional Academic Advisor fulfills a fundamental role in the development of our students, and their efforts directly impact our strategic goals related to student persistence, retention, and graduation.

The CS Professional Academic Advisor is a subject matter expert in students and student services, an educator, a champion for student success, a curator of ideas, a leader, and an innovator. This role is fully student-facing and supports both current and prospective Computer Science and College of Engineering students. The major areas of responsibility for this role include academic advising for undergraduate students in all Computer Science majors (60%);
Engagement, Outreach and Service (20%);
Special Projects and Project Lead (10%);
Professional Development/Ongoing Training (5%);
Administration and General Undergraduate Program Support & Other Duties as Assigned (5%). Limited work in the evenings and on weekends to support student events is required.

The Professional Academic Advisor will be tasked with working with sensitive information and maintaining a high level of confidentiality and discretion in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). In addition to your resume, cover letter, and list of references, please submit a one-page personal statement of your academic advising philosophy.

• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience working in a student‑focused setting (e.g., academic advising, classroom instruction, counseling, etc.).
• Working knowledge of academic advising pillars, competencies, and standards.
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong computer skills in electronic file management, word processing, database management, and spreadsheets.
• Experience learning and working in a dynamic environment as part of a team and individually.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible in task assignments and adapt to changing situations.
• Demonstrated enjoyment of working with students.
• Demonstrated history of collaboration and the ability to be a collegial departmental, college, and university member.

• Advanced degree from an accredited institution in a related area such as counseling, adult education, higher education, student development, Computer Science, or Engineering.
• Previous professional student‑focused experience in a higher education setting (e.g., academic advising, career advising, student affairs, etc.).
• Knowledge of mechanisms of student retention, student development theories, career development strategies, and recruitment strategies.
• Experience using student information systems such as Banner and Navigate.
• Demonstrated experience working with and carrying out academic advising pillars, competencies, and standards.

Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$52,000–$55,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College.

The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the…