ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY: 

At Polk State, our amazing faculty and staff create an inspiring workplace. This Student Success Advisor position reports to the Associate Dean of Student Services and is an excellent opportunity to support the academic success of our students. We offer a collaborative, creative and culturally diverse work environment. If you want to be supported in your efforts to grow professionally and to be recognized for your contributions, then come work for Polk State. 

SOAR, EAGLES!

ABOUT THE POSITION: 

The Student Success Advisor is responsible for executing the day-to-day deliverables of the College’s case management advising model. This position serves as the primary point of contact for students, assisting with various tasks during the five identified eras of the student lifecycle: onboarding, pre-advising, pathway selection, transition to career or transfer institution, and degree completion. The position requires a broad knowledge of different aspects of student services, and necessitates the use of intentional advising strategies to develop relationships with advisees and foster a climate of student access and success. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent must possess superior customer service skills and work in a complex, ever-changing environment to assist students with a multitude of different issues. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:  

• For an assigned caseload, advise students throughout their enrollment on information including, but not limited to, admission, college readiness, course and program selection, academic progress, transfer requirements, registration, transition to careers and/or bachelor’s programs, and graduation.
• Actively monitor academic progress and other outcome data to ensure students remain on-track for timely completion of graduation requirements.
• Proactively follow-up with students who do not re-register for subsequent terms, fail satisfactory academic progress/standards of academic progress, and/or are identified by the College’s retention system for follow-up.
• Use intentional advising practices to foster student development and to aid students in the creation of educational plans, setting goals, and identifying the next steps necessary to navigate College processes.
• Use the College’s enterprise resource planning system, Jenzabar One, to facilitate registration, change of major requests, and other administrative tasks.
• Conduct small group pre-advising sessions for all new first-time-in-college students, which serve as an extension of the required online orientation session.
• Engage students in basic career exploration and the identification of items necessary for successful transfer and/or job placement.
• Assist in the College’s recruitment and outreach efforts in local high schools and in the community at a variety of college fairs and other events.
• Connect students with resources to explore internships, experiential learning opportunities, and faculty mentorships.
• Direct students to the College catalog, website, and other pertinent information regarding key rules, policies, procedures, and community standards at Polk State College.
• Serve on college-wide committees and task groups as assigned or appointed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean of Student Services.

This position is a level P12. To determine starting salary, Polk State College takes into consideration the pay level minimum, the candidate's qualifications and internal equity factors. 

Required Skills

• Knowledge of principles and practices of intentional academic advising and student enrollment including registration, degree and program requirements, graduation requirements, financial aid, and articulation of credit.
• Superior customer service skills.
• The ability to establish an effective rapport with students, faculty, and staff throughout the College.
• Good organizational skills, with special attention to details.
• Good oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to work well with others.
• General office skills.
• Experience with computer, and all Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• The ability to work independently on broader assignments with the responsibility of planning work. Makes decisions within accepted standards.
• Consultation on problems requires judgment and tact in order to obtain cooperation or approval of action to be taken.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Bilingual preferred

REQUIRED EDUCATION: 

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. During the first of each semester must be available to work evening hours to start the semester.
2. Sometimes requires coming in on evenings, early in the mornings, and on Saturdays to work various duties as assigned.
3. Must have the ability to work proficiently in busy, multi-office work area.
4. Must be flexible and able to adapt well to changes.

Required Experience

A minimum of three years of experience in Student Services to include advising, success coaching, career services, recruitment, guidance counseling or other related experience. 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

Professional job experience is preferred.

We offer an excellent employer-paid benefits package including the following: Medical, Dental, Life, Long-Term Disability, Vacation (except faculty), Holiday and Sick Leave, Retirement (if eligible) and college fee waivers.  Other employee-paid, voluntary benefits (vision, short-term disability, etc.) are also available.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

• APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:A completed online application consists of:
  • a resume, and
  • an electronic job application (all sections completed).

Submissions that do not include all required information will not be considered. 

• BACKGROUND SCREENING:Reference checks, successful completion of a Level II background check (fingerprinting), and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.

• NON-INSTRUCTIONAL/STAFF TRANSCRIPTS:  For professional/salaried positions, uploading of unofficial transcript(s) (WITH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REDACTED) during the application process is welcomed, but not required.  However, please note that education verification will be completed, for all stated degrees, on or before an interview. Submission of OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for Administrator positions (P17 and above), for all stated degrees, is required as a condition of employment, following receipt of a job offer.

• FOREIGN TRANSCRIPTS:  All international degrees must have their coursework evaluated in terms of U.S. "equivalency." Polk State College requires that all international credential evaluations be conducted by one of the companies affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES®). More information about NACES® affiliates can be obtained at the NACES® website. 

• RELOCATION:Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.

• THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE AT 8:00 A.M. ON MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020.

NOTE:  We encourage applicants to provide feedback of their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with State of Florida agency like Polk State College. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement and the date of your re-employment.

As a rule, Polk State College does not provide H1-B visa sponsorship. Exceptions may be made based on the College's need for a candidate with unique skills and expertise and where the College cannot otherwise recruit and hire qualified non-sponsored candidates.

Polk State College is a drug-free workplace and participates in E-Verify.

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

For questions or concerns, please contact:  Valparisa Baker; Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Title IX Coordinator); 999 Avenue H, NE; Winter Haven, FL  33881; Office:  WAD 227; 863.292.3602 Ext. 5378; vbaker@polk.edu.

Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you feel you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position with Polk State, please call 863-297-1070 or e-mail CAREERS@POLK.EDU and let us know the nature of your request, along with your contact information.  Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis.  Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will receive a response.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of intentional academic advising and student enrollment including registration, degree and program requirements, graduation requirements, financial aid, and articulation of credit.
• Superior customer service skills.
• The ability to establish an effective rapport with students, faculty, and staff throughout the College.
• Good organizational skills, with special attention to details.
• Good oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to work well with others.
• General office skills.
• Experience with computer, and all Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• The ability to work independently on broader assignments with the responsibility of planning work. Makes decisions within accepted standards.
• Consultation on problems requires judgment and tact in order to obtain cooperation or approval of action to be taken.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Bilingual preferred

REQUIRED EDUCATION: 

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. During the first of each semester must be available to work evening hours to start the semester.
2. Sometimes requires coming in on evenings, early in the mornings, and on Saturdays to work various duties as assigned.
3. Must have the ability to work proficiently in busy, multi-office work area.
4. Must be flexible and able to adapt well to changes.