Academic Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY  
Provides academic counseling for students and informational services for students and parents.  Assists students with college and career planning.  The Counselor acts as a liaison between the Academic and Student Living departments to assure acquisition of a quality education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•    Provides academic counseling for students; provides information on course selection and academic program planning in relation to course demands and rigor, high school graduation and college admissions requirements.
•    Identify and assist students who are not on track for graduation and provide information about credit recovery and alternative options.
•    Provide informational services to parents on transition, college requirements, college timeline, four-year plan, college entrance exams, college and career research and financial aid.
•    Interviews students and parents to ascertain personal interests, academic needs, discuss concerns, and drafts a four-year educational plan.
•    Investigates and coordinates appropriate resources and educational or vocational opportunities for students.
•    Matches students’ interests with summer or special programs, external or extra-curricular activities, school-to-work, and intern possibilities. 
•    Coordinate progress reports, report cards, academic conferences, and inform parents/guardians of students’ status.
•    Assists students in planning for the college admissions process and for preparing for careers.
•    Collaborate with staff and faculty to inform them of college and career programs and resources.
•    Coordinate and direct all aspects of college placement, career guidance and post-secondary services; write individual recommendations, review students’ college applications, provide student workshops on the college application process, address special needs of underrepresented students by keeping up to date on programs and resources designed specifically for those students and ensuring that the students are aware of them.
•    Provide information about college entrance exams; assist students with applications, fee waivers and interpreting test results
•    Provides personal counseling services to meet student needs.
•    Maintains and updates student databases, records, and appropriate libraries.
•    Attend meeting, conferences and workshops regarding career trends, college entrance, financial aid and standardized college admission testing.
•    Assist in accomplishing campus, department and SFIS goals.
•    Attend meetings as a permanent member of the Admissions Committee.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
•    Knowledge of current college admissions and career planning trends relevant to student interests and post-secondary goals.
•    Ability to establish positive working relationships with students’, staff, parents, and other professionals. 
•    Knowledge of standardized testing programs as they relate to state standards, advanced placement, college admissions and post-secondary goals
•    Knowledge of graduation and course requirements, including a-g requirements
•    Ability to respond to a diverse set of cultures, ethnic groups, socioeconomic groups and their interests
•    Skills in writing as they pertain to college, scholarship and employment recommendation letters
•    Ability to plan and organize, meet schedules and deadlines for each job component. 
•    Ability to maintain files and records and be in compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Act.
•    Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with students, family, staff, and community agencies.
•    Flexibility, organization, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
•    Interpersonal skills with work with diverse populations both in person and on the telephone.  
•    Ability to collaborate with school administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, and the community.
•    Ability to establish and maintain respectful working relationships with students, parents, and staff
•    Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports presenting detailed and accurate information.

Minimum Qualifications:
•    Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling with New Mexico State Counselor licensure. 
•    Experience working with Native American students preferred.  Must have effective communication skills.  
•    One (1) year of experience in academic counseling, preferably with Native American students.
•    Must maintain required Continuing Education (CEs) and other requirements necessary to maintain professional licensure.
•    Experience working with Native American students, Native American or Tribal entities, preferred.
•    Must possess a valid NM Driver’s License.
•    Must complete and successfully pass a complete background investigation, including FBI fingerprint check.

Physical Demands:  
While performing the duties of this position; sitting, standing, lifting, carrying (up to 20 lbs.), reaching, squatting, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required. Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.  Have manual and finger dexterity.  Occasionally required to reach above shoulder level, repetitive hand, and arm motions; Must be able to see, read and record small numbers.  
Equipment/Material Handled
Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn operate all computer equipment.
Safety and Health Requirements:
•    Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions

Work Environment:
Work is generally performed in an office setting.   Frequent use of communication equipment and computers.  Evening, holiday, and weekend work may be required.  Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.  May require traveling to various communities to meet with students, parents, guardians, tribal social services, and other service providers.  

Conditions: 
Any employee may be required to stay at or return to work during incidents and/or emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position.