Assistant Director for First Year Advising
The University of Southern California’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking to hire experienced undergraduate academic advisors to join our new First-Year Advising team. These new positions will be responsible for advancing USC Dornsife’s efforts in ensuring students’ successful transition to college and persistence to graduation. The Assistant Directors will work alongside an existing group of advising colleagues to holistically address the academic, developmental, personal, and social needs of first-year students enrolling in USC Dornsife.
Key Responsibilities for the Assistant Director include:
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Develop and implement high-touch, developmental advising to incoming first-year students in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.
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- Exercise diverse and inclusive advising practices to ensure access for all Dornsife students, fostering a culture of academic success.
- Work closely with Dornsife leadership, faculty, academic advising team, and student services colleagues in developing and delivering intentional models of first-year advising, programming, and retention that balance intellectual exploration, disciplinary specialization, career preparation, and inclusive pedagogy.
- Provide holistic advising and support to first-year undergraduate students including, curricular requirements, co-curricular development, academic requirements and expectations.
- Function as first point of contact for all first-year academic questions, concerns, policies, and other pertinent information.
- Assist students in development of goals and evaluation of progress toward goals.
- Assist students in understanding their academic preparation, course plans, and developing action plans for academic success.
- Review individualized schedules and reports regarding academic course selection.
- Work directly with departmental advisors to ensure appropriate transition from first-year advising to continuing student advising.
- Assist students in selecting appropriate degree programs and majors/minors, and building short term plans.
- Strategically refer to campus resources.
- Develop, implement and participate in campus events including: Orientation, Welcome Experiences, First Year Experiences, etc.
- Supervision and training of graduate student interns.
- Participate in assigned administrative tasks.
- Other duties as assigned.
Successful candidates will have strong communication and organization skills, as well as have demonstrated a genuine interest academic advising and commitment to student advocacy.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree. Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum qualifications.
- Minimum Field of Expertise: Student personnel administration, academic advising.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience providing academic advising in a higher education setting. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s or Doctorate degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Counseling or Related field.
- 7 years’ experience providing academic advising in a higher education setting.
- Experience working with first-year students.
- Knowledge of USC programs, services and software.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
- Possess the flexibility in the face of changing priorities.
Salary range: The annual base salary range for this position is $76,000 - $84,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
Required Documents and Additional Information:
Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.
The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree. Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum education. Minimum Experience: 5 years. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education. Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related experience in leading the delivery of student services
