Academic Counselor
New Britain, CT
Full Time
Charter Oak State College
Experienced
Details:
Posted: 03/24/26 (Internal)Level: Senior Associate
Department: Academic Services
Closing Date: 03/31/26 at 4:00pm ET
Location:
Charter Oak State College185 Main Street New Britain, CT 06051
*This is a an on-campus position, there will be some telework flexibility. The incumbent may travel to public sites to make presentations as well as travel to national or regional meetings and conferences.
Please take a look at our website to find out more about our college. Charter Oak State College
Charter Oak State College Mission:
As part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system, Charter Oak State College, the state’s only public, online, degree-granting institution, provides affordable, diverse, and alternative opportunities for adults to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. The College's mission is to validate learning acquired through traditional and non-traditional experiences, including its own courses. The College rigorously upholds standards of high quality and seeks to inspire adults with the self-enrichment potential of non-traditional higher education.Charter Oak State College Vision:
Charter Oak State College: A dynamic community of online learners advancing the nation’s workforce one graduate at a time.Anticipated Start Date:
Spring 2026Position Summary:
The Academic Counselor supports Charter Oak State College’s mission of providing flexible, high quality, and affordable degree pathways for adult learners. As a key facilitator of student progress in an online environment, the Counselor delivers proactive, academic advising using data informed practices, student success technologies, and personalized guidance. This role helps students navigate degree requirements, transfer credit pathways, and alternative credit options while fostering a strong sense of connection and support throughout the student lifecycle.Supervisory and Other Relationships:
This position does not have nor supervise any direct reports.
Position Responsibilities:
The following examples of duties illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position, but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.
Student Advising & Academic Planning
- Provide individualized, proactive advising to a caseload of adult learners using inclusive and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Guide students in creating clear, achievable academic plans aligned with degree requirements, career goals, including individualized plans of study using Charter Oak’s digital planning tools.
- Advise students on transfer credit, prior learning assessment (PLA), testing options, and nontraditional credit opportunities consistent with Charter Oak’s curriculum and policies.
- Help students articulate and refine academic and career goals, including developing effective essays or narratives when required for specific programs.
- Monitor student progress using early‑alert systems, CRM tools, and analytics dashboards to identify at‑risk students and intervene early, conducting timely outreach through multiple modalities.
- Support learners with challenges related to time management, online learning skills, motivation, and resource utilization.
- Partner with faculty and program directors to ensure students are accurately informed about degree pathways and academic expectations.
- Advocate for student needs in program development discussions and policy refinement.
- Collaborate with Enrollment Services, Registrar, Financial Aid, Accessibility Services, and other campus units to ensure seamless student support.
- Develops student‑facing resources—including advising guides, orientation materials, and academic planning worksheets.
- Contribute to special projects involving curricular updates, process improvements, and student success initiatives.
- Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and professional counseling standards.
- Stay current on best practices in online advising, adult learning theory, competency‑based education, and emerging technologies.
- Document all advising interactions thoroughly and accurately in institutional systems.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the College.
Minimum Qualifications:
Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a diverse set of faculty, staff and students. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong information technology literacy skills. Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:- Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in higher education, preferably working with adult or online learners.
- Demonstrated knowledge of adult development theory, online learning models, and inclusive advising practices.
- Strong analytical abilities to interpret academic records, degree audits, and complex student scenarios.
Work Environment:
The incumbent typically performs work in the offices of the College’s headquarters located at 185 Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut. The work does not, normally, involve any significant physical effort. The incumbent may travel to public sites to make presentations as well as travel to national or regional meetings and conferences. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $71,159 - $96,567 and while experience and qualifications are considered, candidates will start at the minimum of the salary range. This position also comes with excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. The salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications such as education and job-related experience, and internal equity. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable.Application Instructions:
To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the resume.Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.
For more information or to apply via our website at www.ct.edu/hr/jobs
Selection Procedure:
Application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.Background Screening:
All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification. Charter Oak State College is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.Clery Act:
Attached is Charter Oaks Annual Security Report to comply with the requirement of the Clery Act which outlines several administrative items related to campus security.
https://www.charteroak.edu/security/
Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination:
Charter Oak State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record.
CHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
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