Staff Assistant - Academic and Career Advisor

Posted: 13-Apr-26

Location: Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Type: Full-time

Categories: Advising/Counseling, Staff/Administrative

Employment Type: Full-time

Organization Type: Higher Education Institution

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. During the course of the above duties and as needed, refer students to other academic and student support services.
5. In coordination with the Director of the Career Services and Advising Center, plan and implement career events and programming.
6. 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.
7. Provide support with social media and marketing.
8. Remain current in the trends in career development and academic advising.
9. Represents the University at national and regional meetings, conferences, and associations, as well as at recruitment and open house events.
10. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree in relevant field required at the time of hire. Master's degree preferred.
2. Minimum of 1 year of experience in higher education working with student support services.
3. Experience working with a diverse student population. Preference for bilingual, Spanish-speaking abilities.
4. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and in teams.
5. Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment that seeks to improve delivery of services and increase student success.
6. Good organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in required documentation.
7. Strong written and oral communication, as well as interpersonal, skills.
8. Demonstrated familiarity with the latest scholarship on career development and student support services and the ability to transform theory into practice.
9. Computer literacy skills (i.e. Microsoft Office, student record systems, online advising and career counseling tools).
10. Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
11. Must be able to satisfactorily pass a check conducted by the Criminal History Systems Board/Sexual Offender Registry Information (CORI/SORI check) and a background check.

This position qualifies as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is designated as such, effective September 2024. A CSA is a person designated to report crimes that occur on campus to the University Police Department. CSAs are designated under the Clery Act and must complete annual training on reporting crimes, victim relations and support, and related University policies.