Job Description

Job Title: Academic Advisor I - High School Equivalency Program

Location: Valdosta State University

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job Summary

Advise students on course selection, requirements for selected areas of concentration, and post-college plans to help meet their educational needs and realize student scholastic goals.

Grant Funded Position

This is a grant funded position; therefore, the university will incur no salary obligation beyond funding derived from this source. This position will continue as long as adequate funds are available.

Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B) , VSU will not be sponsoring any new H-1B visa petitions until further notice.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

The Valdosta State University High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is a federally funded grant program that supports eligible adult learners, particularly those from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds, in earning their high school equivalency credential and transitioning to postsecondary education, training, or employment. The program provides academic instruction, advising, and support services designed to promote persistence, completion, and successful outcomes, while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines through ongoing data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.

Typical Allocation of Duties

Advising - 45%

Advise students with regards to their educational, career, personal and social development needs. Refer students to academic and personal resources as appropriate. Assist students in selecting courses.

Interpret polices - 15%

Clarify and interpret academic policies and degree requirements.

Student files - 15%

Maintain and update student files and records. Ensure compliance with FERPA regulations.

Student transition services - 15%

Facilitate programs that help students explore career and post-bachelor's degree options. Assist students in the transition from high school to college and provide appropriate referral to University offices and resources as needed.

Monitor student progress - 10%

Monitor student academic progress and provide developmental programming focused on student academic needs. Advise, monitor, and work closely with students on academic probation and those returning from academic suspension.

Supervisor Expectations

• Deliver individualized advising and retention support, meeting with students at a frequency based on their needs (e.g., weekly for at-risk students, monthly for others).
• Establish rapport with diverse adult learners through strong interpersonal skills and consistent, supportive communication in English and/or Spanish.
• Identify barriers to persistence and connect students to appropriate academic, social, and community resources (e.g., childcare, housing, food, transportation).
• Accurately monitor academic progress and maintain timely, detailed communication logs and student records in accordance with program requirements.
• Conduct both in-person and virtual advising sessions using technology effectively, including communication platforms and data systems.
• Work closely with instructors, recruiters, and community partners to coordinate support services and ensure a holistic approach to student success.
• Proactively identify student needs, follow up consistently, and adapt strategies to ensure students remain engaged and on track toward completion.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience

Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of related work experience.

Proposed Salary

$40,737

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at

Conditions of Employment

Applicants Are Required To Provide

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment Is Contingent Upon

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
• USG Ethics Policy
• Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
• Drug Free Workplace
• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Motor Vehicle Policy
• Workers Compensation (new hires)
• Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
• Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Standard

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].

Clery Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing ***email_hidden***.

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Seasonal work, H1b, Work at office, Immediate start, Trial period

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