Higher Education Program Advisor

Definition:Under supervision of the Higher Education Program Administrator, the Higher Education Program Advisor provides and coordinates academic/career advisement services to new, continuing and prospective students.  Maintains and manages a caseload of student files by calculating Scholarship Awards and evaluating student eligibility.  Develops presentations and informational materials for recruitment and serves as a liaison between colleges and students.  Directs students to appropriate institutional agencies for assistance with financial aid.
Primary Job Functions:Primary functions may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification.Job Duties:

• Counsels and advises prospective student on Scholarship Application process, admissions, courses and program requirements, registration procedures, and general college information.  Helps direct students to financial aid programs at the institutions.   
• Documents and maintains computerized Excel spreadsheets and Word documents to track student enrollment and progress.  
• Submits check requests for tuition, books and credit hour incentive for the students.
• Maintains communication between the students, their institutions and other parties via phone calls, email, facsimile, U.S. mail, and office visits to ensure appropriate deadlines are met and advisement is offered to the student.
• Performs all the required clerical tasks to close out inactive student files for the program. Calculates and verifies if any funds are owed back to the program or to the students’ institution.
• Disburses scholarship package award funding per policy on the designated dates per academic term. 
• Maintains a rapport with students’ progress for initial application submission to exiting or successfully graduating.  
• Answers phone calls, voicemails and emails in a timely manner to ensure that appropriate deadlines are met andadvisement is offered to students.
• Organizes, assigns and maintains incoming student applications for each scholarship deadline date. 
• Enters and maintains all student information into the Higher Education database (EDUWEB). 
• Closes out student files when a student has dropped or been removed from the Higher Education program.
• Disburses checks per policy.  As a student picks up his or her check (credit hour, books/supplies, tuition reimbursement, childcare funding), the advisor and student will sign/date a copy of the check to approve/receive the payment pick up. The check copies are to be filed in the student's financial folder for record keeping purposes.
• Provides transcript evaluation, academic information and program mentorship to students in their chosen program of study
• Begins student outreach, approximately 30 days prior to an application deadline, as a temperature check on the student's current progress as well as informing them of upcoming deadlines.
• Makes referrals to other counselors, and other services as appropriate, including Community agencies, and education institution programs.
• Provides one-on-one new student orientation information once a student is approved to receive Scholarship funding.  
• Develops promotional and informational materials for use in advising and recruiting students.  
• Works in conjunction with area high schools and counselors, as well as other Community programs, to present, recruit and increase awareness of the Scholarship Program. 
• Assists in research involving student follow-up studies, demographics, etc., for the Higher Education Program as needed.
• Assists with the annual fall and spring conferences/events, as well as other activities which promote careers and the importance of education. 
• Responds to inquiries from prospective students on specific scholarship information and other programs in higher education.  
• Serves as a mentor for potential and continuing students by reinforcing the importance of completing education goals.
• Provides support and encourages student self-resourcefulness in developing plans to achieve education goals.  
• Acts as ombudsman for issues causing potential drop-out problems.  
• Visits schools to ensure student progress is on target, develop professional network opportunities, provide information on community programs and resources, and serves as resource on behalf of the SRPMIC students, as needed.
• Serves on other planning committees and/or participates in various functions related to student involvement in the Scholarship Program.
• Networks with other programs to service students and dual enrollment high school participants.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
As a key element of this position, the individual must possess organizational and time management skills which are documented and demonstrated and must be able to display the ability to know when to utilize the necessary skills. The individual must have a demonstrated ability to work with diversity and with a wide range of external agencies as a contributing team player.
Leadership:

• Works effectively without close supervision.
• Strong communication abilities, able to collaborate and be a team player. 
• Values collaboration, brings a spirit of enthusiasm and energy to the Division.
• Demonstrates the core value of Respect for all individuals.
• Strong values which include; Integrity, Excellence, and a Focus on Learning.
• Presents a positive image of the Division and self.
•  Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups.
•  Understands and follows clear expectations, deliverables and deadlines.

Management:

• Follows through to completion on assignments and tasks.

General Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Other Characteristics

• The History, culture, traditions, and customs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Knowledge of:

• Accommodation requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for students and resources available for implementing accommodation 
• Barriers to educational achievement and sources for addressing those barriers 
• Principles and practices of educational advisement
• Resources for developing public relations brochures and career day programs 
• College entrance requirements, financial aid programs, and intervention services for at-risk students 

Skilled in:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with students, educational staff, outside resources, community officials and community members
• Following oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures
• Working with college transcripts and program requirements

Ability to:

• Make academic plans and maintain accurate progress records
• Calculate student cumulative GPA’s from several academic/vocational institutions
• Operate computer, fax, and utilize database pertinent to educational goals/programs 
• Use Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher
• Assist students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and locate private and other scholarships  
• Read and interpret high school and college transcripts, student college placement exam, college course plan forms and career exploration programs 
• Work evenings and weekends, as necessary   
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Work cooperatively with other staff, students, and the general public

Education and Certification:  Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in Guidance/Counseling, Academic Advisement, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or closely related field. Experience equivalent to two (2) years full-time counseling or student financial assistance work.         
Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.
Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.
Terms of Employment:  This position is treated as a full-time exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week.

MMust be able to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test and extensive Fingerprint and Background Check. Employee is Subject to Random Drug Testing and completion of a Background Check every five (5) years.

 

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

 In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods: 

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date. 

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted. 

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Salary : $71,307 - $95,908