West Virginia University Looking for Academic Counselor – Student Athlete Development Full Time

Description 

The department of Student Athlete Development at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Academic Counselor.

About the Opportunity

The Academic Counselor will provide academic support and guidance to Football and at-risk student-athletes assigned by the Associate Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services. Duties include organizing and implementing academic programs that contribute to the educational and personal growth of supervised student-athletes. This position evaluates student-athlete academic records to determine progress towards a degree and maintenance of eligibility and informs coaches regarding institutional and NCAA requirements related to student-athlete’s academic progress and eligibility. The Academic Counselor organizes and implements specific academic programs to assist student-athletes in meeting their educational goals. Duties include monitoring and guiding student-athletes during study hall, general tutoring and assisting with test preparation, study skills and time management.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

What You’ll Do

• Assist student-athletes in identifying educational and career interests, selecting classes and determining academic majors.
• Communicate with University advisors and Registrar’s office to maintain up-to-date records of academic major requirements and changes to degree programs. 
• Monitor academic progress of student-athletes through routine contact with student athletes and professors. Provide academic reports to coaches on the progress and classroom performance of student-athletes. 
• Maintain frequent communication with coaches, faculty, tutors, and University professionals regarding student-athlete progress and concerns. 
• Maintain accurate records and knowledge of student-athlete’s academic schedules to notify coaches regarding classes, tests, appointments, study sessions and community service. 
• Monitor the Academic Progress Rate (APR) of assigned sports programs.  Communicate regularly with the coach and respective sport administrator surrounding the APR of each program.  
• Supervise student workers who check classes for student-athlete attendance. Prepare class excuse letters to instructors. 
• Assist student-athletes with job searching and applications for post-graduate awards. 
• Guide and advise student-athletes in solving problems and addressing educational and social issues.   
• Create class schedules for incoming student-athletes for summer and fall semesters. 
• Assist the Athletic Compliance Office with the implementation and oversight of systems to prevent academic misconduct.  
• Verify incoming student-athletes’ NCAA Eligibility Center status. Subject to limitations per NCAA regulations, contact parents, high school counselors and advisors and coaches to facilitate the eligibility certification process. Advise coaches of NCAA Eligibility Center status. 
• Arrange placement testing and orientation for incoming student-athletes if applicable. 
• Develop a supportive, individualized approach for assisting at-risk students academically. This includes but is not limited to:  working with the student on remediation of fundamental skills needed for academic success; providing academic support services with study skills, note taking, time management skills, test-taking strategies and literacy skill development; providing assistance/additional instruction for academic course work – includes help with organizing, planning, editing and revising assignments, preparation for exams, developing strategies to help the student complete assigned coursework independently. 
• Collect brochures and other informational material for mailings to recruits. Subject to limitations per NCAA regulations, create and update applicable recruiting material relative to student services and academic programs for prospective student-athletes. 
• Meet with prospective student-athletes during official and unofficial visits. Arrange meetings with faculty, resident faculty leaders and other academic professionals as necessary during recruiting visits. 
• Maintain communications with Athletic Compliance Office regarding legislation and interpretation of rules and regulations related to academics: i.e. academic progress, summer school provisions, recruiting materials, NCAA Eligibility Center and other matters. 
• Provide information to Athletic Compliance Office, Admissions, Registrar, academic advisors and athletic staff for certification, updating eligibility lists, scholarship and aid provision for class scheduling. Work with Athletic Compliance staff to provide information required to prepare eligibility waivers.
• Communicate with Certification Officers to ensure that academic records are accurate. 
• Draft statistical and narrative reports as requested. 
• Attend meetings as assigned. 
• Participate in campus committees and state and regional professional organizations. Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops and professional organizations. 
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Associate Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services. 
• Report directly to Associate Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services; work closely with senior athletic administrative staff and with all others involved with carrying out the philosophy and objectives of the intercollegiate athletic program.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and guidelines of West Virginia University, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA; must adhere to NCAA Bylaw 11.1 Conduct of Athletic Personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action including possible suspension and termination. 
• Participate in the shared responsibility in maintaining the academic integrity essential for the University to accomplish its mission; adhere to the University’s policies and guidelines regarding academic integrity and dishonesty.
• Exhibit a level of expertise in their professional fields; must also treat the academic requirements necessary for progress toward a degree as a matter of the highest priority for the student-athletes in their charge and must actively encourage them to succeed academically and graduate. 
• Represent the University on the highest professional level with dignity, integrity, and strength of character and will exhibit ethical behavior; must respect the rights and dignity of individuals with sensitivity to problems that may arise from racial, ethnical and sexual orientation differences. 
• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude towards all sports within the intercollegiate athletic program. 
• Possess the ability to adapt to any situation, make decisions and work independently; position must have the ability to build and maintain relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff members and constituencies; required to use creative abilities to develop new techniques and approaches in dealing with many issues controlled by this position; responsibilities of the position are ever-changing and require constant education; requires the ability to adapt to any situation and make decisions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, preferably in education, social science, counseling or similar field OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving:
  • Counseling, Advising, Teaching, tutoring or otherwise instructing students in a higher education environment (Division I athletic experience preferred)
  • Graduate assistant experience is acceptable.
  • Proven success rate in academic development.
• Maintain high standard of ethics and integrity related to intercollegiate athletics 
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics 
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA and conference guidelines, policies, rules and regulations with the ability to interpret, apply, enforce and explain such policies and rules 
• Maintain knowledge of state and University policies and procedures 
• Exhibit strong creative, organizational and interpersonal skills 
• Demonstrated knowledge of correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking skills 
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally under high stress and confrontational circumstances 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks for extended period of time 
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and organize work 
• Proactive attitude towards work and assignments 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop personal contacts with outside groups, i.e. student-athletes, faculty, academic professionals, parents, University community
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community 
• Demonstrated knowledge of record keeping and adherence to schedule 
• Ability to stay abreast of information impacting the affected area 
• Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate groups and individuals 
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards, work extended hours including nights and weekends (often with extensive walking and standing)
• Demonstrated knowledge of effected areas of involvement 
• Demonstrated ability to manage personnel 
• Ability to make administrative / procedural decisions and judgments 
• Knowledge of higher education system and of counseling and advising techniques
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with students individually and in groups 
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate high school and college transcripts for NCAA eligibility and degree major

  requirements

• Ability to accurately plan program of study and advise students on progress towards their degree
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines and regulations

About WVU

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia’s land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley – the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position. 

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you’re a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

Job Posting: Apr 25, 2023

Posting Classification: Non-Classified

Exemption Status: Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Yes