Academic and Career Advisor- Fox Valley

Join our dynamic team at Waubonsee Community College, where your career can flourish. Be part of a transformative institution dedicated to making a positive impact in our community and the lives of our students. Waubonsee Community College is committed to hiring and retaining exceptional faculty and staff who support the college’s culture of collaboration, professional growth, and student success.

About the role

The Academic and Career Advisor will guide student success through personalized academic advising, career exploration, transfer planning, and success strategies to retain a diverse student population. This position oversees an assigned caseload of students in support of the Student Success and Retention Division’s strategic plan to proactively engage students in attaining their educational goals. The advisor reports to the Academic and Career Advising Manager.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic academic and career advising services to an assigned caseload of students, supporting them in setting and achieving academic and career goals through course selection, academic procedures and policies, choosing a major, degree pathways, university transfer planning, and career exploration.
• Conduct regular check-ins using college advising technology and case management plans to monitor academic progress, identify at-risk students, provide interventions, and celebrate achievements.
• Interpret and explain placement assessment results, transfer-in credit, prior learning assessments, and other equivalencies (e.g., AP) to students.
• Advise on course sequencing and recommend appropriate courses for students’ programs of study or degree paths.
• Use transfer articulation technology and university partnership agreements to help students optimize course selection toward four-year degrees.
• Assist students with academic and registration activities, including schedules, add/drop/withdrawals, and forms.
• Guide students on the use of online and self-service tools for academic planning and career exploration.
• Support students in career exploration and make referrals for in-depth career planning or job search assistance.
• Maintain current knowledge of Waubonsee policies, academic and career programs, college catalogs, university transfer agreements, and support systems.
• Assist students in resolving issues by clarifying protocols and policies and directing them to appropriate departments or personnel.
• Facilitate activities related to orientation, advising support, career exploration, classroom presentations, and student groups in coordination with campus partners.
• Collaborate with Student Success and Retention Faculty Counselors to determine when students need to be referred for counseling.
• Maintain thorough and timely documentation of student interactions in written form or via technology tools.
• Strictly adhere to college and federal policies regarding students’ personal and academic information.
• Build collaborative relationships with key campus partners to ensure successful advising outcomes for students.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in psychology, education, communications, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• One year of experience in student advising or a related area in an educational setting, preferably at the post-secondary level.
• Experience with case management is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with proven experience working with diverse populations.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) fluency is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with college advising and degree audit software is a plus.
• Flexibility and ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Willingness to work at more than one campus, up to two evenings per week (typically one evening per week), and up to four Saturdays per year.

Pay

Hourly compensation range: $24.64 - $29.69 (determined by experience, education, and qualifications).

Schedule

• Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• One late-night shift per week (10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.).
• One remote day per week.
• 40 hours per week.
• Up to four Saturdays per year.

Benefits

For details, visit the Benefits Page.