"Reconnect Advisor"

Job Details

Company Description:

SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SUNY Schenectady) is one of the State University of New York's finest two-year colleges located in upstate New York's vibrant and growing Capital Region, with easy access to Boston, NYC, the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, Montreal and scenic Hudson Valley, all of which are just a few hours away. SUNY Schenectady is a premier college that provides quality, comprehensive education for transfer, career, training, and workforce development in a student-centered environment, serving students from a wide range of backgrounds. The College offers more than 50 transfer and career programs in science, aviation, culinary, music, and liberal arts, and serves more than 5,000 students. We take pride in being an urban campus with a small town feel.

Job Description:

SUNY Schenectady is seeking a Reconnect Advisor to join their Academic Advising team. Reporting to the Director of Academic Advisement and Retention, the Reconnect Advisor will be assigned a caseload of students who they will provide comprehensive and intrusive advisement for throughout the academic year. The Reconnect Advisor will be responsible to ensure that their assigned caseload receives guidance during the semester regarding curriculum planning and will also utilize Degree Works and Starfish to provide any needed intervention. The Reconnect Advisor will assist all students in academic planning related to the students' chosen program of study. The advisor will also convey and interpret SUNY Schenectady's rules and regulations, academic prerequisites, programs, majors and courses of study. The advisor will assist students to define and develop realistic educational, career and transfer plans. To do so the Reconnect Advisor will provide curriculum planning for students to include registration of summer/winter coursework (if appropriate) to ensure each student has an up-to-date academic plan through graduation. The Reconnect Advisor plays an integral role in the College's efforts towards student success, retention and graduation. The Reconnect Advisor will advocate for student educational achievement to the highest attainable standard, support student goals, and uphold the educational mission of the college. The advisor will proactively contact and be available for student advisees on a regular basis. The advisor will serve as a member of student success team to ensure engagement, advocacy, and support of SUNY Schenectady students. The Reconnect Advisor is a member of the Strategic Initiative & Planning Unit and is a full-time (grant funded) position. As the designated Reconnect Advisor, they will be assigned all Reconnect eligible students including adult learners aged 25-55. The position is supported through grant funding based upon continued availability of funding through NYS and SUNY.

Responsibilities:

• Assists current and prospective students regarding academic planning, program and course selection, and scheduling
• Advises students on academic, career and personal issues; identifies the educational and career options appropriate for each student and assists with the analysis of each option, including possible outcomes and their implications; if needed, refers student to various campus resources; sets up an action plan for the student to explore alternative careers and related majors
• Identifies options for student to satisfy degree requirements; evaluates and makes recommendations while assisting students with persistence and completion
• Become knowledgeable about college policies and procedures and requirements
• Monitors academic progress of students; refers students to appropriate campus sources for assistance; collaborate with Success Team members to address concerns of academic risk as needed
• Maintains student files and records; documents all pertinent student information; updates computerized information system regarding changes to student status
• Interprets and explains college policies and procedures and requirements
• Assists in recruitment of potential students by advising them of general academic requirements; describes courses; disseminates information regarding registration policies and procedures
• Assists students with admission and registration/provides guidance in course selection in keeping with the student's interests, values and abilities
• Clearly articulate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and the process of Academic Warning, Dismissal and the process of applying for readmission
• Cover the hours assigned in the Advising Center; which will include day and/or evening hours and various weekends
• Work collaboratively with the entire advising team while serving as a productive member of their Division and the College
• Keep abreast of current issues and trends in higher education to provide excellent student service through articulation and implementation of a student-centered philosophy
• Ensures students understand SUNY seamless transfer pathways and articulation agreements and provide transfer advisement as necessary
• Utilizes and manages technology including but not limited to Banner, Degree Works, and Starfish
• Utilize Starfish to assist with caseload management, including providing student outreach based on tracking items and success plans
• Demonstrate respect for unique experiences and perspectives of all students
• Participate in prospective student and first year programs including Orientation, First Year Seminar and recruitment initiatives; present academic information to new students and parents
• Assist with developing and implementing strategies to improve adult learner students' performance and retention
• Assist with developing interventions to support adult learners
• All other duties as assigned by the Director of Academic Advising and Retention

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• One year of professional experience, or the equivalent, in secondary or post-secondary education
• Must have good listening skills and problem-solving abilities
• Must be detail oriented and student centered

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree
• Experience working in a community college setting and prior academic advisement experience preferred
• Experience using higher education student information systems or advising platforms
• Experience working with adult learners

Special Information:

• This role may occasionally require evening or weekend hours; however, flexible scheduling is available to support work-life balance during those times.
• VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Offers of employment will be conditional based on the successful completion of a background check and verification of official college transcripts.

Additional Information:

Salary: $44,500

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

As a full-time team member, you will have access to a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, professional growth, and work-life balance:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage- Medical, dental, and vision plans to ensure the well-being of you and your family.
• Flexible Retirement Plans - Options to select the retirement system that best aligns with your goals, plus access to a deferred compensation plan to enhance your long-term savings.
• Generous Time Off - Ample vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, plus a paid college closure between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Professional Growth & Development - Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement through a variety of professional development programs.
• Family-Friendly Support - Access to on-site childcare providers (subject to availability) to help ease the demands of balancing work and family life.
• Wellness Initiatives -Discounted YMCA memberships and participation in wellness events to promote physical and mental health.

Application Instructions:

Applications Due By: Applications accepted until position is filled.

If you need a disability-related accommodation to apply to this position, please contact the Human Resources Office at (518) 381-1218 or humanresources@sunysccc.edu.

Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Completed SUNY Schenectady Employment Application
• References: Please provide three professional references which include name, title, and contact information