"Academic Counselor"

Job Description

Position Category: Staff (Exempt)
FLSA: Non-exempt
FTE: 1
Location: Thousand Oaks

University Background:

The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person's dignity.

Basic Function:

Under the direction and supervision of the Director of Advising and Student Success, the Student Success Counselor position will work as part of the advising team to provide academic advisement for Cal Lutheran traditional undergraduate students. The duties and responsibilities of the position include the following: providing one on one student advisement; facilitating group advising workshops; engaging in e-advising; developing and implementing targeted advising campaigns; and harnessing best practices in academic advisement and student success to support the University's retention and graduation goals, including assisting students in need of additional services.

Representative Duties:

• Counsels students in their growth/development during their academic journey; guides students with identification of long-term goals and career plans; provides information and direction for planning a program of study to help ensure that students meet their goals and graduate within an appropriate time frame. E
• Advises students individually and in groups regarding their academic plan and performance; implements the provisions of the academic support programs; reviews, monitors, and evaluates student progress; identifies potential student needs or problem areas; provides resources and referrals. E
• Acts as subject matter experts for a set of academic programs; works to position the student to create a graduation plan that meets requirements for the degree; serves as a proactive agent to support students with faculty and academic departments. E
• Apply affirmation, support and advocacy in academic counseling and outreach, bearing in mind the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion in the University's undergraduate student population. E
• Develop and implement data-driven campaigns, to improve student retention and graduation as well as to endure all undergraduate student groups to achieve academic success. E
• Initiates an intake process for all students to guide appropriate course registration, academic advising and student success. E
• Tracks and maintains information related to retention, attrition, and success rates of all enrolled students; identifies barriers and develops a system to identify and intervene with students with academic needs and/or difficulties; monitors students' academic progress including analyzing reports, identifying potential areas of concern, and provides appropriate support and resources. E
• Conducts program evaluations for undergraduate students; prepares and records petitions to modify academic requirements; performs graduation audits; confirms degree completion and commencement participation. E
• Serves as a liaison between the University and the students with respect to degree requirements and student progress; responds to requests, concerns, and complaints from students, parents, faculty, campus administrators, and the general public regarding programs, services, policies, procedures, and regulations; resolves matters with confidentiality, tact, and sensitivity; expedites referrals to appropriate/responsible group. E
• Knowledgeable in all degree requirements and common substitutions and transfer equivalencies to support both undergraduate students and faculty. E
• Maintain the confidentiality of student records and other information according to FERPA regulations. E
• Coordinates with various offices, faculty and staff to develop specific programming to increase student success, retention, and graduation rates; provides accurate information about campus policies and procedures; serves as a campus resource through workshops, presentations, trainings; assists and participates in various events as required, including but not limited to Admitted Students Day, New Student Orientation, T2CLU (incoming transfer event), and Commencement. E
• Completes ongoing training and professional development required for this position. E
• Performs special projects and related duties as assigned.

E = Essential Duties

Knowledge Of:

• University rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Basic courses offered by community colleges and universities.
• Proper course analysis and evaluation techniques.
• Methods and procedures of admitting and registering students.
• Student development theories and practices in higher education.
• Academic counseling and advising strategies and related best practices.
• Effective academic resources and strategies for student success.
• Collecting information, compiling data, and record-keeping techniques.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion and how that impacts student success.
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Organizational and oral/written communication skills.
• Professional communication, including usage of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Relevant computer software and technology, including Microsoft Office.

Ability To:

• Self-motivate and self-direct.
• Establish and maintain cooperative, professional, positive, and effective working relationships.
• Process and maintain highly confidential information.
• Assess student needs, goals, problems, and personal adjustments relating to and or affecting their academic performance.
• Practice confidentiality and professionalism in all modes of communication.
• Evaluate, solve problems, and adopt an effective course of action.
• Make interpretive judgments quickly and accurately regarding academic matters.
• Apply University policies, procedures, rules, and regulations appropriately.
• Execute program services according to department standards.
• Explain all aspects of the academic requirements.
• Prepare and interpret comprehensive statistical reports.
• Develop activities, presentations, handouts, forms, and other relevant communication.
• Work with a diverse population of students and campus affiliates.
• Perform multiple projects simultaneously involving people and paperwork.
• Organize work to meet timelines.
• Operate a computer and basic office equipment.
• Learn and utilize work-related software programs.
• Communicate clearly and effectively.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination equivalent to: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of two years of experience in admissions, academic advising, student counseling, transcript evaluations, and other student services areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

A master's degree from an accredited institution in counseling, higher education administration, or related field. Three years of professional experience working directly with college students in individual and group settings.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

Ability to travel and work flexible hours as needed

Physical Abilities:

Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate to exchange information in person, in writing, on the telephone and by email; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files

Working Environment:

Office environment; constant interruptions and distractions; multiple projects with ongoing and various deadlines; collaboration with members in the campus community; contact with complacent, struggling, and/or dissatisfied individuals; public speaking for workshops and events; possible duties in evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Hiring Range

$26.00-$27.85

Posting Number:

Staff004712022

Open Date:

11/24/2025

Close Date:

12/8/2025

Application Procedure/Special Instructions

To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/12861

California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University's policies, procedures, and processes.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.