Student Success Advisor at The Chicago School in Portland, OR

Student Success Advisor

Location: Portland, OR

Job Description:

1. GENERAL POSITION INFORMATION

Position Name: Student Success Advisor / Accommodations Coordinator

Classification: Exempt

FTE: 1.0; Full time

Work Hours: 37.5 hour work week. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. Hybrid schedule with 4 days on-campus and 1 day of remote work per week. During peak times, 5 days will be on-campus.

Department/Division: Student Succes

Supervisor: Director, Student Success

2. POSITION SUMMARY

The Student Success Advisor / Accommodations Coordinator supports the UWS mission by promoting student success. Under the direction of the Director of Student Success and in collaboration with university personnel, the position provides student success advising and oversees Testing Center operations, including scheduling and administering examinations. The position serves as a key resource for students seeking accommodations, academic skills coaching, and other student support services. The position is assigned to a caseload of students, which may include students enrolled in on-campus, online, and hybrid programs. The position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment, solve complex problems, and effectively apply university policies, procedures, and student support practices.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including employer sponsored health, dental and vision insurance plan options. 403(b) retirement plan with up to 10% match after one year. Tuition waiver eligibility for UWS academic programs after one year of employment. Free and reduced cost care in the campus health center for employees and their immediate family members. Paid vacation, sick, wellness time and holidays.

3.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Success Advising and Support (30%)

• New Student Advising: Assist with onboarding and orientation for new students, including account access, IT requests, student life, and other student success resources.

• Academic Advising: Provide advising and support to students regarding ongoing enrollment, registration, program planning, university policies and procedures, and available student resources. Refer students to academic leadership or faculty advisors for specific career and program planning.

• Academic Standing Advising: Provide advising and support to students who are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Connect students with applicable resources, support services, and strategies for academic improvement.

• Temporary Withdrawal Advising: Manage temporary withdrawal inquiries, track students who are temporarily withdrawn, and support students returning from temporary withdrawal.

• Student Support and Resource Navigation: Serve as a point of contact for students seeking assistance with university services, policies, procedures, and available support resources. Provide direct support to help students navigate university processes and connect with appropriate departments and services.

• Student Success Support: Promote and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and student-centered environment. Monitor student concerns and provide follow-up communication to support student persistence and success.

• University Service: Serve on campus committees and university workgroups as assigned.

Accommodation Services and Academic Skills Coaching (30%)

• Accommodation and Accessibility Services: Serve as the primary resource for students seeking disability-related accommodations and accessibility services. Review accommodation requests and supporting documentation, conduct intake meetings, evaluate student needs, and determine and implement appropriate accommodations, including temporary accommodations when warranted by documented circumstances.

• Records Management and Communication: Maintain confidential student records and documentation in accordance with applicable regulations and university policies. Communicate accommodation information to faculty, instructors, and other relevant personnel as appropriate. Respond to questions and concerns related to the implementation of approved accommodations and provide faculty and instructors with resources, information, and guidance regarding accommodations and related support services. Consult with faculty, staff, and university leadership on accommodation-related matters.

• Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, applicable regulations, and university policies and procedures related to disability accommodations and accessibility services. Maintain current knowledge of disability-related laws, regulations, accessibility standards, and best practices through ongoing training and professional development.

• Student Support Assessment and Intervention: Assess student needs and identify appropriate support strategies to promote academic success, including accessibility accommodations, academic skills coaching, and other university resources. Exercise professional judgment to determine and provide the most appropriate support or intervention based on the student's circumstances and needs.

• Academic Skills Coaching Program Administration: Develop, implement, maintain, and assess the Academic Skills Coaching program to support student success, persistence, and academic achievement.

• Academic Skills Coaching: Provide individualized academic skills coaching to students and advisees, including support with time management, study strategies, organization, test-taking skills, goal setting, and other academic success competencies. Connect students with university resources and services as appropriate.

Testing Center Operations (25%)

• Testing Center Administration: Coordinate Testing Center scheduling and testing logistics, including the implementation of approved testing accommodations.

• Testing Center Proctoring: Proctor examinations, monitor testing sessions, and ensure compliance with testing procedures, approved accommodations, and academic integrity standards.

• Student Worker Supervision: Supervise and support Accessibility Assistants, including coordinating work assignments, providing training and guidance, and reviewing schedules and timesheets as appropriate.

Cross-Functional Student Support (15%)

• Cross-Training: Participate in ongoing cross-training to support backup functions and service continuity across Student Success operations.

• Collaboration and Coverage: Collaborate with Student Success and related service area personnel, to support service delivery and provide coverage during staff absences, periods of increased demand, and other operational needs.

• Institutional Support: Support university initiatives, operational needs, and student success efforts by collaborating with university departments and personnel.

• Other duties as assigned.

4. UWS CORE VALUES

Best Practices: We maintain high standards by using and integrating evidence across multiple disciplines.

Curiosity: We are innovative, open minded, and forward thinking.

Inclusiveness: We are respectful, mindful, and welcoming of different ways of being, thinking, and doing.

Professionalism: We are responsible, respectful, and accountable.

Student-Focus: We work for the common good of students’ academic and professional success.

Whole-Person Health: We promote physical, mental and emotional wellness in all facets of the UWS experience.

5. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Training

Required

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Preferred

Degree or certificate in Disability Services in Higher Education

Experience

Required

-At least two years of experience in an advising or student support role in a higher education setting

Preferred

-Experience working with students with disabilities in a higher education, educational, or student services setting

-Experience reviewing accommodation requests, implementing accommodations, or supporting accommodation-related services

-Experience providing academic skills coaching

Related Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Required

-Proficiency in MS Office Suite

-Intermediate skill level with database management and report preparation and analysis

-Exemplary written and oral communication skills

-Experience with student information systems or other enterprise systems

Preferred

-Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and disability-related best practices in higher education.

Other Qualifications

Required

-Demonstrated ability to build strong student relationships with a diverse student population

-Demonstrated high level discretion and sound judgement with confidential information

-Demonstrated understanding of the role of student support and how it impacts retention and student success

-Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new conditions and assignments

-Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands, set priorities and provide timely responses to urgent issues

-Demonstrated ability to contribute to a high-performing team and exercise a high degree of professionalism

6. APPLICATION, SCREENING AND HIRING PROCESS:

Screening of applicants will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume.

University of Western States conducts background checks for the finalist or finalists of staff and faculty positions. The type of background check will vary by position type.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $ base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.uws.edu/about/employment/

University of Western States is an Equal Opportunity Employer.