Academic Advisor

Academic Advisor

Job ID: 322815
Location: South Mountain Comm College
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Salary Range


$52,525.00 - $68,282.00/annually, DOE

Grade


114

Work Schedule


Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7am-6pm

Work Calendar


12 Months

Maricopa Summary


10 Colleges. Unlimited Opportunities.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college systems in the nation. Home to 10 individually accredited community colleges and 31 satellite locations, we proudly serve students in every corner of the Valley. Each day, our dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators, live out our vision- creating excellence in education for a better world.

We focus on people-not profits.
With 100% acceptance, zero rejections, and affordable tuition, we provide the flexibility and support our students need to succeed in and beyond the classroom. Discover how we're changing college.

We don't just support our community-we help build it.
We are the largest provider of workforce development training in the state. The activities of our colleges and their students support one out of every 28 jobs in Maricopa County. Learn about our economic impact.

We believe our employees are our most valuable asset.
Our 10 colleges and District Office support nearly 10,000 jobs and careers throughout Greater Phoenix.

Join us in making a real difference in the lives of over 140,000 college students each year.

Campus Statement


South Mountain Community College (SMCC) reflects the diversity of the surrounding community, a rich mix of rural, urban, and suburban neighborhoods. Many of our students arrive from Phoenix, Laveen, Tempe, Guadalupe, and the surrounding area to attend classes at the main campus or our offsite facility in Guadalupe; we also offer evening courses in Laveen at Betty Fairfax High School.

Of the approximately 5,000 students enrolled at SMCC nearly 70 percent were first-generation college students and 48 percent intended to transfer to a university to further their education. And, with more than 80 percent of these students identifying as a minority, SMCC has been federally designated as a Minority Serving and Hispanic Serving Institution.

Our small, personalized classes are offered days, evenings, and online, led by an engaged and accomplished faculty. Career and academic counseling are also available. SMCC is also a Strengths-Based Institution, helping you determine your strengths and then strategize with you to maximize those strengths in your academic and career choices.

Benefits


Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports our employees' and their families' health and well-being. Therefore, the MCCCD benefits support every stage of life and are designed to meet the diverse needs of our community. Explore the wide range of benefits and perks available to eligible employees at MCCCD:

Affordable and Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Nationwide Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick Leave, and Personal Time
• 20 Paid Observed Holidays
• Company-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability plans, with the option to purchase supplemental coverage
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Pension, including Long Term Disability and Retiree Health Insurance with 100% employer-matching contributions
• Optional Retirement Plans: 403(b), 457(b), Roth 403(b), Roth 457(b)
• Tuition Reimbursement for employees and dependents
• Annual Professional Development Funding
• Flexible Work Schedules

Employee Health & Wellness Programs:

• District-Wide Wellness Program with Workshops and Webinars
• Monthly Health & Wellness Calendar and Newsletter
• Virta Diabetes Reversal Program and Support Groups
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sight-On-Site Eye Care Services

• Pre-Retirement Planning Events
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (potential loan forgiveness for federal Direct Loans after meeting repayment requirements and working full-time for an eligible employer)

Job Summary


The Academic Advisement Department is excited to welcome a new academic advisor to support the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences-South Mountain Community College's leading program, with enrollment nearing 2,000 students. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and helping students feel seen, valued, and empowered, apply today!

The position manages, plans, develops, and implements academic advising services. Serves as frontline contact for students for academic and/or career advising to drive engagement and empower students to achieve their academic and career goals. Builds formative relationships with students by interpreting information and providing clarification on procedures and academic requirements of specific programs or majors. Provides advising across a continuum of developmental stages including self-awareness, exploration, goal setting, preparation, employment, and advanced education.


Additional Information


Knowledge - Guided Pathways principles; College policies, procedures, and degree requirements; Transfer pathways and articulation agreements with universities; Financial aid basics, scholarships, and enrollment processes; Career exploration resources and labor market trends; Community college mission, including access, equity, and workforce development; Technology systems (student information systems, advising platforms)

Skills - Communication: Clearly explain complex academic requirements and actively listen to student concerns; Advising & coaching: Guide students in goal-setting, decision-making, and problem-solving; Cultural competence: Effectively work with diverse populations (first-generation, adult learners, etc.); Time management: Balance high caseloads while maintaining quality interactions; Critical thinking: Assess student situations and recommend appropriate academic pathways

Technology use - Navigate advising software, databases, and virtual advising tools

Abilities - Build trust and rapport quickly with students from varied backgrounds; Interpret and apply policies to individual student situations; Identify barriers to student success (academic, financial, personal); Adapt advising approaches to meet different student needs; Work both independently and collaboratively with faculty and staff; Manage ambiguity and respond to changing institutional priorities

Behaviors - Student-centered mindset-prioritizing student success and well-being; Empathy and approachability; Ethical practice and respect for confidentiality; Proactiveness-reaching out to students before issues escalate; Commitment to equity and inclusion; Accountability and reliability; Continuous learning and professional development

Essential Functions


Holistic Academic Advising, Caseload Management, Retention and Completion Advocacy (50%)
Acts as lead worker and content expert for assigned Field of Interest and guides student services staff on managing assigned cohorts of students; Advises students on educational programs, financial aid, degree requirements and available support services; Maintains an active student case load and conducts outreach to potential students and/or existing students; Provides educational guidance and assistance for students by planning schedules, recommending courses and determining appropriate individualized education solutions throughout the student's lifecycle to ensure courses of study adequately prepare the student for the desired career goal; Assesses student needs and provides holistic approaches to advising leveraging multiple support resources and referral mechanisms including but not limited to student financial aid, counseling, disability resources and services, student life and leadership, career services, tutoring and other academic departments; Tracks students' progress toward completion of program and meets with students regularly to assess progress; analyzes data and engages in proactive outreach to address student challenges, retention, and completion.

Advising Administrative Functions (30%)
Executes administrative responsibilities that support the student experience, student retention, graduation, and SMCC's federal financial aid compliance. Administrative responsibilities include but are not limited to the documentation of student meetings in Advising Notes the Student Information System (SIS); developing and maintaining advising materials and resources such as educational planning spreadsheets, degree program checklists, and program handout information; keeping up to date on changes to curriculum; reviewing and processing prerequisite verification requests via dynamic forms; assessing Degree Progress Report (DPR) functionality; initiating course substitutions and completing Course Directives in SIS to support graduation processing, submitting issues to the SIS functionality feedback form; Graduation application review and clearance; and activities to support Federal Financial Aid Compliance including Financial Aid Course Applicability; and processing Financial Aid Forms (Consortium Agreements, Maximum Time Frame Appeals, Short Program Forms, Restricted Course List Addendums); responding to emails and voicemails; contacting students impacted by course cancellations.

Guided Pathways and Field of Interest Projects, Events, and Initiatives (10%)
Participates in implementing the Guided Pathways Framework; Assists with developing and delivering training and professional development to the college community on topics related to student recruitment, retention and advising; Serves as the liaison to academic departments and instructional councils within the Field of Interest; Collects, analyzes and prepares data for reports to support evidence-based decision making.

Student Support & Complex Case Resolution (10%)
Interprets organizational policies and advises faculty and students on student conduct, student grievances, disputes and other issues; Fosters and maintains a safe environment of respect and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.

Minimum Qualifications


Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution and two (2) years of student services or college teaching experience, or experience coordinating, administering, planning, or evaluating programs.

OR

Associate's Degree from a regionally accredited institution and four (4) years of student services or college teaching experience, or experience coordinating, administering, planning, or evaluating programs.

OR

High School/GED from a regionally accredited institution and six (6) years of student services or college teaching experience, or experience coordinating, administering, planning, or evaluating programs.

Desired Qualifications


A. Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
B. One (1) or more years of experience working in a community college setting.
C. One (1) or more years of experience providing advising services in a college or university setting.
D. One (1) or more years of experience in using a student information system to complete student services processes such as enrollment and advising.
E. One (1) or more years of experience leading or directly assisting with student services projects and initiatives to address student challenges, retention, and completion.
F. One (1) year of relevant part-time or full-time MCCCD experience during the previous two years.

Special Working Conditions

• Work is routinely performed in an indoor, office environment.
• May require prolonged periods of viewing a computer screen.
• Possession of a valid State of Arizona Class D driver's license is required; must meet minimum standards regarding driving: .
• Travel to campus during the interview/selection process will be at the candidate's own expense.
• Work Schedule is five eight hour days during fall and spring terms and four ten hour days in the summer; regular evening and periodic weekend hours are required.
• As a frontline service area in Student Affairs, this position is campus based and not eligible for regular remote work.

How to Apply


Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume showing how the applicant meets the minimum and desired qualifications. All minimum requirements must be met at the time of the application.


Additional materials will not be accepted after the job posting has closed.

Missing materials or incomplete employment history will not be considered.

Please ensure your materials clearly provide the following information.

• Clearly illustrate how prior experience, knowledge and education meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position.
• Indicate whether former or current employment is Full-Time or;
• Part-Time employment, to include Adjunct or Associate Professor (must include number of hours worked, contact hours or load)
• Provide employment history in a month/year format (e.g., 09/07 to 10/11) including job title, job duties, for each position held and name of employer for each position.
• Three professional references, preferably current and/or former supervisors. If references are not provided in resume upon application, they will be requested at time of interview.

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Qualified applicants or candidates with disabilities can submit a reasonable accommodation request at any point in the hiring process, and MCCCD's policy is to provide reasonable accommodation unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the ADA Coordinator from the hiring campus location for assistance via email at View email address on click.appcast.io


MCCCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Posting Close Date


Apply on or before June 21, 2026 to be considered.

EEO, Title IX, & Clery Act


Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) will not discriminate, nor tolerate discrimination in employment or education, against any applicant, employee, or student because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status (including document abuse), age, disability, veteran status or genetic information.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The policy of the MCCCD is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of gender discrimination. Incidents of misconduct should be reported to the college Title IX Coordinator, as outlined in policy, contact information is available at this link Title IX Coordinators.

The Clery Act is a Federal law requiring United States Colleges and Universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Crime reporting data for each of the Maricopa Community Colleges, as required under the Clery Act, is available at this link Clery Act.

To apply, visit

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