Staff Assistant – Academic and Career Advisor

Company Description:

Fitchburg State University, located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master’s degree programs, and 7,000 full and part-time students. We invite you to learn more about us and how we can help you achieve your educational goals.

Institutional Diversity and Social Justice

Fitchburg State University embraces a commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging and social justice. We encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply and also those who can contribute to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching, research and mentorship.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Academic and Career Advisors are responsible for providing advising services to a caseload of students. Specific duties include career advising to all students, as well as course registration advising for pre-majors (or undeclared students), new transfer students, and dual-enrollment students. Advisors are further responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of programmatic materials and a curriculum for career and academic advising.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide career advising to students individually and in groups, through workshops, including those enrolled in the first-year experience (FYE) and within residential learning communities (RLCs). Career advising is inclusive of assistance in resume and cover letter preparation, interview skills development, and job search strategies.
• Provide academic advising for pre-majors (or undeclared students), new transfer students, dual-enrollment students, and other students in need of course registration advising, and be responsive to advising questions from faculty. Provide academic workshops and information on University policies and procedures to the same.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of programmatic materials and a curriculum for career and academic advising. Where possible participate in faculty and student affairs training on the same, as well as on career services and advising (electronic) platforms.
• During the course of the above duties and as needed, refer students to other academic and student support services.
• In coordination with the Director of the Career Services and Advising Center, plan and implement career events and programming.
• In coordination with the Director of the Career Services and Advising Center, respond to student clubs, faculty, and alumni association requests for (classroom or other) presentations and workshops.
• Provide support with social media and marketing.
• Remain current in the trends in career development and academic advising.
• Represents the University at national and regional meetings, conferences, and associations, as well as at recruitment and open house events.
• Other duties as assigned duties within the scope of the position.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in higher education working with student support services.
• Experience working with a diverse student population. Preference for bilingual, Spanish-speaking abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and in teams.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment that seeks to improve delivery of services and increase student success.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in required documentation.
• Strong written and oral communication, as well as interpersonal, skills.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the latest scholarship on career development and student support services and the ability to transform theory into practice.
• Computer literacy skills (i.e. Microsoft Office, student record systems, online advising and career counseling tools).
• Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree preferred.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Staff Assistant. The starting salary range is $55,000 to $60,000 commensurate with education and experience. This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Fitchburg State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Nine different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options.
• Pension or 401(a) defined contribution plan, and supplemental plan retirement options.
• Life insurance up to 8x the annual salary.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Dental insurance.
• Twenty vacation days accrued per year.
• Fifteen sick days accrued per year.
• Five personal days per year.
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children.

Fitchburg State University conducts criminal history, and sexual offenders record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Fitchburg State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and be prepared to enter name/contact information for three professional references.

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