Academic Advisor
American Public University System · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $60,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Remote Academic Advisor role at APUS.
- Guide students to achieve academic goals.
- Utilize communication and analytical skills.
- Collaborate with departments and students.
- Requires Bachelor's degree and advising experience.
About the role
Academic Advisor
American Public University System (APUS) is seeking dedicated Academic Advisors to guide, encourage, and inform students through their academic programs. This is a remote position where you will interact with students via various channels to help them achieve their educational goals. As a Professional Academic Advisor, you will be a critical-thinking student services professional utilizing exceptional communication and analytical skills to support students. You will act as an analyst, cheerleader, diplomat, and effective communicator, making daily decisions to determine optimal solutions and adjudicate policy waivers. This role requires the ability to counsel students, sometimes against their initial wishes, to ensure they are on the best academic path. You will also participate in university and industry initiatives, such as committees and presentations for the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), with encouragement for continuous professional development.
Work Schedule
This role requires the following shift: Monday - Thursday, 11:30am - 8:00pm ET and Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, ET.
Primary Responsibilities
- Engage in friendly and helpful student communication and outreach through various remote channels.
- Build strong relationships with prospective, current, and returning students by representing the university.
- Initiate and respond to student inquiries regarding academic advising, programs, policies, and campus navigation.
- Conduct proactive outreach to provide advice and direction on next steps.
- Document all student interactions accurately and thoroughly.
- Collaborate with other departments to resolve student issues and remove obstacles.
- Process degree changes and program additions accurately and efficiently.
- Review student degree plan changes to advise on optimal paths, considering credit impact and time to completion.
Exceptional Academic Advising
- Employ diverse academic advising strategies to meet individual student needs.
- Identify and report trends in student behavior to inform outreach initiatives and process improvements.
- Maintain expertise in advising specific student populations and programs.
- Motivate and guide students toward successful program completion and academic goals.
- Meet department expectations and service level agreements for timely and adequate service.
- Continuously review and recommend improvements for processes and policies.
Professional Development, Training, and Engagement
- Actively participate in professional development activities.
- Engage in department committees, task forces, and industry organizations (e.g., NACADA).
- Collaborate with other university departments on behalf of students.
- Meet all department-level expectations for Academic Advisors.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Conferred Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred.
- Effective interpersonal skills, including influencing, persuasion, elicitation, and listening.
- Understanding of student development theory.
- Excellent student and customer service skills.
- Ability to advise effectively in ambiguous and unstructured scenarios.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Rational and objective decision-making capabilities.
- Proficiency in navigating multiple systems and adapting to technological changes.
- Optimism, positivity, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to adjust quickly to changes.
- One year of professional office experience, preferably in a collegiate or academic advising setting.
- Strong representational skills, knowledge of student development theory, and academic advising best practices are highly desirable.
- Experience influencing, informing, and persuading students on complex academic matters is a plus.
- Prior experience with diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and academic backgrounds is desirable.
Key skills/competency
- Academic Advising
- Student Services
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Customer Service
- Student Development Theory
- Policy Adjudication
- Remote Work
Skills & topics
- Academic Advisor
- Student Services
- Higher Education
- Online Learning
- Student Support
- Remote Work
- Communication Skills
- Customer Service
- Advising
- Bachelor's Degree
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your academic advising, student support, and communication skills. Quantify achievements whenever possible.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Express your passion for student success and APUS's mission.
- Prepare for behavioral questions: Have examples ready that showcase your problem-solving and interpersonal abilities.
- Demonstrate technical aptitude: Be ready to discuss your experience with student information systems and remote communication tools.
- Emphasize remote work skills: Showcase your ability to work independently and manage your time effectively in a virtual environment.
Technical preparation
Familiarize yourself with student information systems.,Practice using remote communication tools (chat, phone).,Review student development theories.,Understand university policies and procedures.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you advised a student.,How do you handle difficult student conversations?,Share an experience managing multiple tasks.,How do you ensure effective remote communication?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for the Academic Advisor role at American Public University System?
- The Academic Advisor position at American Public University System is a remote role, allowing you to work from anywhere. However, you must adhere to a specific shift schedule: Monday - Thursday, 11:30am - 8:00pm ET and Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, ET.
- What qualifications are essential for an Academic Advisor at APUS?
- To be considered for the Academic Advisor role at APUS, you must possess a conferred Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Additionally, excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, understanding of student development theory, and at least one year of professional office experience (preferably in academic advising) are required.
- What specific skills are most valued in an APUS Academic Advisor?
- APUS highly values exceptional communication and analytical skills for Academic Advisors. Key strengths include influencing, persuasion, elicitation, listening, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively under pressure. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are also highly preferred.
- How does American Public University System support professional development for its Academic Advisors?
- American Public University System actively encourages and supports continuing professional development and education for all advising staff. This includes opportunities to participate in committees, technical task forces, and present at industry organizations like the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).
- What is the typical student interaction like for an Academic Advisor at APUS?
- Academic Advisors at APUS interact with students through a variety of remote channels, primarily email, phone, and chat. Interactions involve guiding students on academic options, helping them identify and meet educational goals, processing degree changes, and adjudicating policy waivers, all while maintaining a friendly and helpful demeanor.
- Does APUS require specific work hours for the remote Academic Advisor position?
- Yes, the Academic Advisor role has specific required work hours. Candidates must be available to work Monday - Thursday, 11:30am - 8:00pm ET and Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, ET. This ensures consistent support for students across different time zones.