Academic Advisor

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Academic Advisor

Position Type: Professional Tech Full time

College: Community College of Denver

Division: Student Affairs

Department: CCD Advising

Campus: Auraria Campus

Location: Denver

Salary Range: $53,000.00 - $57,500.00

Who We Are:

The Community College of Denver (CCD) seeks candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive learning and work environment and who can effectively work with students, families, faculty, instructors, and staff from diverse backgrounds. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, CCD is dedicated to expanding access and opportunity for nontraditional students, supporting workforce development, and strengthening community partnerships that promote educational attainment and career success. Serving a diverse student population, CCD values individuals who contribute to its mission of advancing social, civic, and economic vitality.

Job Summary:

The primary purpose of the Academic Advising and Student Success Center (AASSC) is to support student belonging, retention, and success. Members of the AASSC assist students identify academic and career goals, create academic plans, and prepare students to transfer or enter the workforce. Advisors develop transformational relationships with students utilizing proactive advising and educational case management best practices. Along with relationship building, academic advisors in the AASSC provide students with accurate and current information about academic programs, career and employment connections to their students’ programs, and campus policies and procedures; academic advisors also make referrals to support services on and off campus to keep students engaged with their educational and career goals through the completion of the appropriate degree or certificate program. This position engages in data-informed innovation to support CCD’s strategic plan and leverages emotional intelligence to support all students. As valued members of the CCD community, academic advisors demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and values of the institution and foster a culture of student success and belonging. The Academic Advisor reports directly to the Senior Academic Advisor.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Advising, Case Management & Student Success

• Assist and advise students to identify and complete career and academic goals by co-creating personalized academic plans which support future career attainment goals
• Utilize proactive, strengths-based engagement, equity-minded and equity-focused advisement and educational case management to support the success and a sense of belonging for an assigned caseload of students
• Provide accurate and timely information about CCD’s academic programs and pathways, making connections to appropriate career fields and workforce readiness support that align with each student’s goals
• Work with students to determine appropriate course placement based on assessment requirements, discuss academic planning based on academic/career goals, provide direction related to registration, and direct students to internal/external resources to assist with support and resources to help students meet their educational goals
• Maintain accurate records of all advising contacts interactions, referrals, and student success interventions using designated software or systems such as Banner and Navigate360, in accordance with departmental expectations and timelines.
• Ensure that students in assigned caseloads are retained, stay on track, and complete their programs of study aligned with their goals.
• Provide timely outreach, follow-up, and intervention support using established advising and educational case management practices.
• Utilize student success technologies and available data to monitor student progress, identify barriers, and support persistence and completion outcomes
• Promote the use of Guided Pathway practices in the AASSC, support Colorado Community College System and CCD goals and priorities, contribute to retention, completion, erasure of equity gaps, and successful transfer to the university or the workforce
• Develop, support, and innovate student retention and completion efforts, early alert systems tools and strategies, and work to identify factors that enhance or prevent academic progress, retention, and completion
• Adhere to legal and ethical compliance such as FERPA, Title IX, Civil Rights, and CARE team referral processes

Maintain Relationships with Partners, Customer Service Operations & Enhance the Campus Community

• Effectively engage with advisees and the campus community by utilizing timely communication and creating a sense of belonging
• Leverage Emotional Intelligence by using empathy, active listening, and effective interpersonal communication to understand student needs, de-escalate challenging situations, and support positive student experiences
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, partners, and other campus departments to foster an environment of belonging, collaboration, and commitment to student success and positive employee engagement
• Engage with the early alert process, collaborate with faculty, and make student referrals to internal and/or external resources

Crosstrain with other departments to better serve students and understand their experience at the institution

• Actively create and maintain the welcoming, collaborative, and supportive environment of the AASSC and the institution
• When needed, provide assistance with front desk duties to ensure proper coverage and to maintain a welcoming environment for students and partners
• Actively participate in the continual improvement of the check-in processes and the overall customer experience for students visiting the Academic Advising and Student Success Center
• Participate in events such as transfer fairs, group advising, new student orientations and onboarding events, and other college events to engage with students
• Participate in campus committees and interdepartmental efforts to reach college objectives
• Represent the AASSC and CCD with integrity, authenticity, and Emotional Intelligence

Professional Development & Leadership

• Stay current on relevant enrollment and financial aid policies and procedures, as well as maintain knowledge related to academic program specialties, CCD programs in general, career connected supports, and employment trends related to students’ academic programs
• Participate in professional development events and training, review professional literature, and explore professional association websites/resources to stay current on academic advising best practices, transfer and career coaching strategies, and other ways to support and serve students
• Create and support efforts to build a student-centered, positive, collegial, productive culture where everyone can learn, grow, and innovate
• Engage in a commitment for personal leadership development, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Participate in equity-minded and equity-focused professional development including but not limited to culturally responsive advising, adult learner support, first-generation student navigation, strengths-based practices, etc.

Other Duties as Assigned

Competencies/KSAs:

• Knowledge of academic advising and career development practices and principles
• Knowledge of working with underrepresented student populations including students of color, first generation, adult learners, and low-income students
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills to provide high-quality customer service to students
• Ability to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes student belonging and success
• Knowledge and ability to promote student learning and development
• Strong interpersonal skills, including self-awareness, empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals with differing perspectives and needs.
• Ability to facilitate individual and/or group advising sessions
• Ability to utilize student data to inform outreach, advising interventions, and student success strategies
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, and some weekend assignments
• Ability to operate a computer and other standard office technology to perform essential job functions, including data entry, documentation, communication, and use of student information systems
• Adept with use of MS Office Suite and other related/similar software.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in academic advising or counseling in higher education or high school, or related work students/clients experiencing barriers to academic success, persistence, completion, or well-being

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:
Master’s degree in education, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, higher education or leadership related fields.

Experience:

• Three (3) years experience supporting students in navigating academic, financial, institutional, and personal barriers to persistence, completion, transfer, and career goals
• Experience with student information systems, such as Banner, and student success technologies such as EAB Navigate360

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Bilingual
• Knowledge of programs of study, including general education requirements and prerequisites for academic pathways
• Knowledge of Career Clusters, meta majors and/or guided pathways
• Knowledge of workforce education trends, occupations and career options
• Ability to identify relevant community resources and support services and connect students as appropriate
• Ability to effectively present information one-on-one and in small groups, as well as ability to write reports, business correspondence and use communication tools

Selection Process:

Preliminary screening will be made on the basis of completed application packet submitted by candidate. Completed application packet includes: a letter of interest of no more than five pages, addressing in general the items under "Primary Duties" and specifically each item under “Minimum Qualifications”; an online application; resume; and transcripts.

All candidates, including current Community College of Denver employees must submit a complete application packet which includes all materials listed above.

Only completed application packets will move forward for screening. Please review the job duties and minimum requirements carefully. Meeting the minimum qualifications for a particular position does not assure the applicant an interview. Selected applicants will be invited by the screening committee for interviews. All application materials become the property of Community College of Denver and cannot be copied.

Application Instructions: 

Interested applicants must submit a complete application packet which includes:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. References - Names, phone numbers, addresses, & email addresses of three professional references
4. Copies of transcripts, official preferred
5. Copies of appropriate credentials, if applicable

**All included attachments should be saved with the following nomenclature: Last name, First name Document; for example Doe, John Resume; Doe, Jane Transcripts

***Your resume should clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications. Those applicants that do not meet the minimum qualifications will not be considered. Part-time experience is ½ the equivalent of full-time experience. Example: Four (4) years applicable part-time experience equals 2 years full-time equivalency.

For information regarding Community College of Denver Security, including crime statistics for the campus and surrounding area, please see the CCD Campus Security website under “student’s right to know”: CCD.edu/Safety. For a hard copy report please contact View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Additional Information/Benefits:

Our campus is located in downtown Denver, adjacent to two light rail stations, and just minutes away from shopping, restaurants, and event venues. When you visit our campus, it will be immediately evident that our faculty, staff, and instructors are passionate about serving our diverse student population. At CCD our passion is to help others, and we offer career pathways that will make a difference in the lives of our students.

If you are interested in sharing our passion for student success, CCD offers generous medical, dental, vision, life, and retirement options. We also offer the opportunity to expand your education, and those of your dependents, through our tuition reimbursement program.

CCD is a Learning College where policies, programs and practices support learning as the major priority. The Community College of Denver is an Equal Employment Opportunity Educational Employer.

Background checks will be conducted on all finalists for employment consideration.

CCD recognizes that administration, faculty, instructors, and staff reflect the diversity of its students and community and prohibits employment and student discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.