The Selective Admissions Medical Sciences Programs Academic Advisor (SAMSP) provides professional advising related to educational, career, and employment decision-making, focusing on Pikes Peak State College Career and Technical Education (CTE) selective admissions Medical Sciences programs. The SAMSP Academic Advisor will be responsible for creating and establishing programming and resources to guide students focused on one selective admissions program into appropriate secondary and alternate programs so that students have equal opportunity and are more prepared to obtain career-centered jobs. The programming will help to build real-world, career-centered skills and create a more diverse and qualified working population. The SAMSP Academic Advisor will manage and coordinate an assigned student caseload and collaborate with relevant departmental personnel to ensure appropriate educational planning allowing students to meet academic and career goals. This position will also provide academic advising to include support functions for college initiatives/programs related to student success. All responsibilities are in support of student success as outlined in Pikes Peak State College’s Strategic Plan.

This is a grant funded assignment with a projected end date on or before June 30, 2026.

Multi-year grants are funded based on the fiscal years for the full grant period.  However, there is no guarantee that funding is available year after year from the awarding agencies.  Employment with the college after each grant funded period is not assured. 

Grant funded positions cannot guarantee a payout of leave benefits.  Grant funded employees are encouraged to work with their supervisor to schedule and utilize annual leave benefits during each grant period. 

Grant funded positions may be eligible for annual increases contingent upon awarded yearly grant budgets and a satisfactory performance evaluation. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Two years of professional level experience providing student advising, academic counseling, or other student support services in a secondary, post-secondary, or adult education setting.

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge.  Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed Master's degree in education; higher education; student affairs; student personnel administration; organizational management; public administration; guidance and counseling; or closely related field.
• Two years of experience advising students with coursework selection and program completion in higher education.
• Experience working directly with diverse student populations in post-secondary/college level education.
• Demonstrated understanding of community college mission and students.
• Experience developing programming related to academic and career exploration.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Application Instructions:  Application must be submitted online.  Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.  A complete application will include:

• Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
• Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
• Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
• Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

This position may be eligible for a variety of employee benefits.  Pikes Peak Community College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.

Note: Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.

Essential Functions  

Academic Advising 

• Manage assigned student caseload including long-term planning and appropriate referrals.
• Provide academic advising in person and via synchronous and asynchronous technologies to new and continuing students, to include: reviewing career plans; evaluating and interpreting placement test scores; assigning/changing faculty advisors; recommending coursework. Teaching students to register using MyPikesPeak Portal or EAB Navigate for classes based on student’s needs and prerequisite status. Utilizing student records systems to gather information and record appropriate contact notations. Preparing and interpreting degree audits to determine student’s progress toward academic goals.
• Collaborate with appropriate faculty and staff to support assigned student populations and programs.
• Map comprehensive academic and career plans for individual students, based upon understanding of program requirements, student’s life situation, and career/personal goals. 
• Ensure that students understand appropriate secondary and alternate programs, transfer options, partnerships, and other resources.
• Make appropriate referrals to other college student services areas in support of students’ academic and personal needs.
• Document student interactions in accordance with department and institution policies in support of accountability and program assessment.
• Ensure that all relevant advising and given career information is up to date; including but not limited to: admissions requirements; new programs and course changes; important dates; college-wide initiatives; transfer requirements and options.
• Develop advising materials for use in-person or via technology to support individual or group student interactions. Training students on MyPikesPeak portal and EAB Navigate individually and in groups.

Academic and Career Exploration Programming

• Develop and establish information programs, guidance and resources for students, with particular focus on male student populations as well as underserved student populations, in selective admissions tracks to:
  • Establish achievable goals
  • And to select secondary program options to aid in the exploration of alternatives including degrees or certificates that are not selective entry or those outside of medical sciences, in the event students are not admitted to their first choice of program.
• Collaborate to provide equity based, culturally competent, efficient, and fair services.
  • Works effectively with college faculty, staff, and administrators in developing and maintaining collegial, trusting relationships for the effective support of students, staff, faculty, and community members. 
  • Collaborates with other institutions on policies, procedures, technology, and practices by actively participating on related committees, keeping the college informed of best and promising practices. 
  • Maintains proficiency in advising procedures by attending training, reading job-related materials, and meeting with others in similar areas of responsibility.
  • Actively engage with related professional organizations such as NACADA and NASPA to stay informed of current practices.
• Provide Advisor training and updates for Advising & Testing and other Enrollment Services staff on the programs, guidance and resources developed.  
• Provide short-term individual and career advising to assist students with career, educational, and employment decision making; coordinating referrals to other college and community resources as appropriate.
• Partner with advising and career support services for designed Career Cluster(s); coordinating and communicating up-to-date program information to be disseminated to all PPSC advisors as appropriate; Participating in designated program outreach activities.

Departmental and Institutional Initiatives

• Represent department on college committees and task forces as assigned.
• Assist with special events, follow-up, and other service initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to provide equity based, culturally competent, efficient, and fair services.

General Duties, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Cultural competence and demonstrated evidence, understanding, and commitment to the concepts of diversity, multiculturalism, and their application in the workplace.
• Experience utilizing technology to provide synchronous and asynchronous services to students.  
• Experience with public speaking and group educational presentations. 
• Experience developing traditional or web-based programming and materials for workshops, services, and special events.  
• Excellent computer skills including, working knowledge of EAB Navigate, Banner (INB and SSB), DegreeWorks, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).  
• In-depth knowledge of academic advising procedures and policies; advising information resources; and college’s instructional programs. 
• Ability to prepare effective written communications, utilizing correct grammar and spelling. 
• Skills in organization and accurate recordkeeping with strict attention to detail and student privacy issues. 
• Ability to develop practical academic and career plans of action based upon student’s individual life situation and goals. 
• Ability to professionally and tactfully interact, communicate, establish rapport and work collaboratively with a wide variety of constituents, including students, faculty, staff, and community members/organizations. 
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction. 
• Demonstrated understanding of current labor market trends and career information resources. 
• Barring special circumstances (as evaluated by supervisor), this position will not be granted annual leave during semester breaks when the college is open, due to responsibilities in supporting break advising efforts.  
• Position requires energetic, flexible team member willing to work occasional evenings and Saturdays as needed to accommodate programming needs; travel between campuses and off campus locations as needed. 

This job description reflects Pikes Peak State College’s best effort to describe the essential duties and qualifications of the job.  It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job.  This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.   

EEO Statement: Pikes Peak State College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act institution.  We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging.  Pikes Peak State College encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.