Career and Academic Advisor

Career and Academic Advisor Posting Summary

• Working Title
  :
  Career and Academic Advisor
• Role Title
  :
  Education Support Spec III
• Position Number
  : 280W2196
• Pay Band
  : 04 ($28/hr)
• Agency
  :
  Northern VA Community College
• Location
  :
  Fairfax County - 059
• Full Time or Part Time
  :
  Part Time
• Work Schedule
  :
  Monday to Friday – 8:30am – 5pm / 11:30am – 8pm

The position works closely with potential and currently enrolled students to identify career pathways in the academic division of Languages, Arts, and Social Sciences (LASS) programs that match their interests and skills. The advisor serves as a resource to assist students in developing administrative tools to advance career readiness skills and discover pathways to improve their ability to find educational and professional success at NOVA.

• Advising and training students on program planning, interpersonal relations, leadership, and academics.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for students entering Mandel Grant–supported programs, ensuring a smooth transition into the college environment.
• Support program initiatives that help Humanities majors build career readiness competencies, develop professional tools, and understand how academic skills translate into workplace value.

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.

• Ability to utilize and learn new technology and willingness to work in different environments.
• Knowledge or awareness of trends in higher education, with particular emphasis on community college trends.
• Good written and oral communication skills to ensure effective communication of information in a busy environment.
• Knowledge of applicable computer software/programs.
• Knowledge of college advising practices and standards.

• Experience in academic advising, career counseling, student retention, or student success programs in a higher education setting.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working in customer service.

• Demonstrated experience working with and supporting highly diverse student populations, including racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically underserved communities.
• Experience utilizing student information systems (SIS), CRM platforms (e.g., Navigate, Salesforce), and virtual communication tools (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams).
• Experience administering or advising students within grant‑funded programs.
• Experience advising specifically within the disciplines of Languages, Arts, and Social Sciences (LASS).
• Experience coordinating work‑based learning, internships, or career‑readiness initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, e‑mail, People Soft Student Information System, and researching information online.
• Knowledge and understanding of specific needs of underserved populations and a commitment to helping these individuals attain educational success.

NOVA offers eligible employees a benefits package that includes a comprehensive health and dental insurance program, generous paid leave, deferred compensation plans, paid parental leave, state employee discounts, and a solid and secure retirement program.

Background Check Statement Disclaimer:
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.

EEO Statement:
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non‑merit factors.

ADA Statement:
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement: 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.