Academic Advisor

Job Description Summary

Henry Ford College presents an opportunity for an Academic Advisor.
The Academic Advisor provides general academic advising to incoming and current students, either face-to-face, on the phone, or electronically via chat or other means such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This position delivers walk-in/drop-in advising support services across multiple academic disciplines, acting as a point of contact for students at any point in their educational journey. The Academic Advisor will clarify student educational goals, explain and recommend appropriate course work and academic pathways based on those goals, identify the programs at the College that meet goals, build short-term and long-term academic plans to reach goals; and develop, assist, support and facilitate student success at the College. The Academic Advisor will also instruct and help students navigate College processes and policies.
This position must work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and requires substantial face-to-face student service and interactions with students and colleagues. All responsibilities are in support of student success as outlined in HFC’s Strategic Plan.

Core Competencies and Qualifications

The most successful candidate will have a career that reflects the following competencies and qualifications. However, education, experience, and training that demonstrates proficiency and the ability to perform the essential duties will be evaluated for equivalency to the criterion listed below.

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  Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Customer Experience - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers including students, staff, and the community. Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement.
• Interpersonal Skills (ADV) - Shows understanding, respect, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

• Demonstrated understanding of current labor market trends and career information resources.
• Experience working with an integrated administrative computer software system and social media platforms.
• Awareness, empathy, and understanding of the various cultures and communities the College serves.
• Conversational ability with non-native English speakers. Applicants fluent in Arabic and/or Spanish are highly encouraged to apply.

• Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Accountability - Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Flexibility - Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to

• Provide general academic advising in person and via synchronous and asynchronous technologies to incoming and continuing students, including advising students regarding course content, course selection, pre-requisites, and recommended credit load.
• Teach students to register using Student Planning for classes based on student’s needs and prerequisite status.
• Prepare and interpret degree audits to determine student’s progress toward academic goals.
• Make appropriate referrals to other college student services areas in support of students’ academic and personal needs.
• Document student interactions in accordance with department and institution policies to support accountability and program assessment.
• Ensure all relevant advising and career information is up to date, including but not limited to admissions requirements, new programs and course changes, important dates, college-wide initiatives, and transfer requirements and options.
• Interpret and explain college policies and procedures.
• Actively listen to the goals and needs of students. Meet them 'where they are' and engage HFC’s community of resources to support student goals despite any barriers to success that may exist.
• Maintain focus on students’ best interests, educating and empowering them to be successful college students.
• Maintain a growth mindset and be adaptable as the College evolves.
• Support the Academic Advising office, Advising colleagues, and Director of Academic Advising in meeting HFC’s student success goals as outlined in the Strategic Plan.

• Represent the Academic Advising department on college committees and task forces as assigned.
• Assist with special events, follow-up efforts, and other service initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to provide equity based, culturally competent, and efficient services.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality of personal and institutional information in accordance with College policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Additional Information

While we have attempted to capture the core functional responsibilities in the role, the statements contained in this job announcement reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Therefore, performing additional job-related duties not listed above may be required as assigned. For applicants viewing this ad from an external site, please go to hfcc.edu/jobsto apply.