Associate Director of Advising

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADVISING

VSC UP SUP BARGAINING UNIT
GRADE 14
EXEMPT

BASIC FUNCTION

Oversee all functions of Advising Center. Train and supervise Student Success Advisors and Student Success Assistants. Develop and regularly assess student success interventions and programming. Collaborate with various staff and faculty across the University to provide holistic support for students, to create and sustain a culture that promotes student learning and engagement, accessibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee all Advising Center operations and perform associated tasks such as hold staff meetings, analyze data and reports, and assist in budgeting.
• Support and cultivate an advising culture that emphasizes a developmental and holistic approach to degree, career, and life planning.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of a diverse range of advising resources to serve all students regardless of location or modality.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors to ensure consistent messaging and support of students.
• Collaborate with Admissions to provide incoming students with uniform experience and transition from applicant to student.
• Serve as advisor for a small caseload of advisees.
• Demonstrate inclusivity and provide excellent customer service in all modalities, including in-person, telephone, e-mail, video call, live chat, texting, and the like.
• Use the advising system to enter meeting notes, track progress, and perform outreach to advisees.
• Plan and develop effective policies and procedures in order to improve services and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and assessment of interventions and programming designed to reduce achievement gaps among student groups, as determined by data analysis.
• Assist Assistant Vice President of Advising & Career Services with professional development planning and delivery for Faculty Advisors and Student Success Advisors.
• Collaborate with Career Services, TRIO, and International Support Services to provide training to Student Success Advisors in all functional areas.
• Collaborate with Connections Seminar instructors to holistically support of first-year students.
• Monitor, assess, and provide day-to-day training for all Student Success Advisors and Student Success Assistants regarding processes, best practices, tools management and usage, support complex issues that arise, assign tasks, and resolve problems.
• Co-chair the Early Intervention Support team and manage the advising alert process.
• Oversee new student registration process.
• Oversee advisor assignments and change of advisor process.
• Serve as member of New Student Onboarding committee.
• Serve as member of Advising Council.
• Keep abreast of current developments in the field. Participate in various regional and national professional groups and organizations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direct supervision received from the Director of Advising.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervision of Student Success Advisors and frontline staff. Indirect supervision of student employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline plus a minimum of four years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree plus a minimum of two years of relevant experience or a similar combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with supervision and leadership of a team in higher education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
• Awareness of developmental, holistic, and proactive approaches to academic & career advising.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and practices of department management.
• Experience working with a direct caseload of students.
• Knowledge of how to support a culture where accessibility and equity is the norm.
• Experience coordinating student support across multiple areas and when to escalate care.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, Self-Service, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content.
• Good planning and leadership competencies.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, non-cognitive or ‘soft’ skills, and social skills.
• Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access & equity.
• Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives, cultures in an inclusive environment.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with college personnel as well as families/guardians and external resources in carrying out the various coordination, liaison, and advocacy aspects of the job.
• Ability to work some weekends and evenings to provide student support outside of normal business hours.

Location: Vermont State Lyndon campus with travel to the Johnson campus 1-2 times per week.

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.

We encourage applicants with a demonstrated interest in building and supporting an inclusive, equitable, and diverse community at VSC.

Benefits Package

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges
• Tuition Waiver to UVM* for dependent children
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long Term Disability
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave

Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning. Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community. VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at humanresources@vermontstate.edu.

NOTE: This job is subject to a criminal background check. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.