Academic Advisor , Retention

The Academic Advisor position is a Yavapai College Career Track position. Employees advance upon successful demonstration of identified cross‑training competencies and job duties along with meeting the qualifications for the next advancement level as outlined below.

Employees in this highly visible role make key contributions to the mission of Yavapai College by promoting and supporting college‑wide student retention and completion through a range of counseling and supportive strategies. Advisors serve a crucial role in driving student engagement and empowering students to achieve their academic and career goals.

Advisors utilize developmental advising strategies to facilitate academic and career goal‑setting, evaluate student success skills, provide nonacademic resources, and advise students on co‑curricular and extra‑curricular activities offered at Yavapai College. Advisors build formative relationships with students by interpreting information and clarifying procedures and academic requirements of specific programs and majors.

Academic advisors work within one of five different advising functions – enrollment, retention, Promise Program, early college, or Student Support Services. Depending on position function and location, advisors may report to a manager, coordinator, director, or associate vice president. This position may be assigned to any location within the Yavapai College service area.

This is a career track position with placement based upon education, relevant job experience, identified competencies, and completion of internal YC student development assessments. Additional salary movement is available with progressions between levels as outlined below.

• Evaluates credit completion and transfer credits for degree requirements
• Supports students in establishing realistic and attainable academic and career goals
• Assists students in determining educational plans, choosing courses, and exploring majors and career options
• Monitors student academic progress
• Identifies current or potential needs or problem areas (i.e. study skills, tutoring)
• Counsels students with academic difficulty on the development of action plans
• Refers students to appropriate college or community resources
• Maintains accurate and comprehensive student tracking within Salesforce
• Provides college orientations, program workshops, and resources
• Maintains knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

The first level advisor provides developmental advising support to students in developing academic goals and refers students to appropriate resources.

• Provides student-facing support with an assigned case load of students such as new, continuing, transfer, Trio program, underage, returning and Promise, etc.
• Demonstrates knowledge of introductory job functions, industry practices and standards
• Basic proficiency with YC systems such as Salesforce, Degree works, Banner, and other systems required as an Academic Advisor
• Handles less‑complex cases and program issues independently; support and detailed instruction may be needed to perform work

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Two or more years of experience in a student services area working with students to identify goals
• Experience working with a culturally diverse population
• Experience helping students adjust to college life and/or referring students to campus or community resources as needed
• Regular attendance is an essential job function as it demonstrates dependability towards the performance of job duties

This position has knowledge of developmental advising and student development theory. Develops strategies and solutions to drive enrollment and retention.

• Demonstrates general knowledge of student development theories and concepts
• Works independently performing work with limited supervision
  
  Develops solutions to problems where analysis of data or situation is required
  
  Effectively manages assigned student caseloads
• Demonstrates…