This is the first class in the Student Services series which provides student services at a college or university related to career or academic advising, student life, student activities, or employment after graduation. Positions in this class are responsible for providing advice and general guidance to students in a specific area such as career planning and placement, academic advising, or student activities and clubs or organizations. Positions in this class may be located in a central advising center, accessible to students from all academic areas; or may be located in an academic department or center which provides specialized counseling such as career planning and placement, learning assistance/tutorial services, or specialized counseling for a specific population of students. This class is distinguished from the Student Services Coordinator class by the latter's responsibility for planning and organizing multiple activities and services related to a major student services program such as career planning and placement.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty which facilitates the success of students' academic and career opportunities through assessment, guidance, and counseling. Positions assigned career planning and placement responsibilities provide advice on career choices; instruct standard courses in job search techniques, resume writing and interviewing skills; evaluate resumes and cover letters for undergraduates; may solicit and schedule employers to interview students; provide job market information; write newsletters; and plan job fairs. Positions assigned to student life services provide guidance to student clubs and organizations; assist in the establishment of new student groups; approve activities planned by student organizations; implement and interpret the school's policies and objectives regarding student activities and organizations; conduct leadership workshops; and chair committees for student clubs, organizations, and activities. Positions in this class may assist students in deciding academic majors and in adjusting to student life. Some positions in this class provide a variety of student services to a specific population of students such as women, minorities or international students which involves meeting the unique needs of these students. Duties include planning activities; and providing information, cultural support, personal assistance and guidance to specific students with unique problems and challenges. Positions may also provide tutorial counseling to students with academic difficulties; or oversee the university's new student orientation program.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives directions from a professional counselor, coordinator, dean or other higher level administrative position within the assigned student services area.

Scope: Work affects the quality of programs designed to facilitate the success of students both individually and as groups. It affects the variety and appropriateness of student life activities and opportunities an the interrelationships with faculty and the community.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance contributes to students' ability to successfully pursue academic majors and career opportunities; and to successfully adjust to student life. Student organizations and activities ensures that students are given the opportunity for a variety of learning and social experiences. Errors can negatively effect the students' pursuit of graduation or employment.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with students, parents, faculty, employers, entertainment agents, and minority and community organizations to assess interests and aptitudes, and to guide and organize student activities.

Knowledges: Working knowledge of academic requirements, career opportunities and qualifications, and of the policies and objectives of student government and student organizations. Positions with counseling responsibilities must have some knowledge of counseling theories and techniques.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to administer assessment instruments such as interest inventories, personality inventories, and career development inventories; provide counseling; organize activities; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and to develop positive working relationships.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in counseling or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience working with a variety of people in an advisory or counseling capacity.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was developed by a Classification Review/Specification Update team and replaces some of the positions in the Enrollment and Student Services Specialist class, effective November 1990.