Student Academic and Career Advisor

 

The Academic and Career Advisor will serve as a subject matter expert in academic planning, graduation compliance, and student success strategies. You will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive academic advising frameworks, interpreting Arizona graduation requirements, and exercising independent judgment to determine student placement, academic pathways, and intervention strategies. You will utilize your advanced analytical skills, professional decisionmaking, and your ability to design processes that support the school’s academic mission.

A person in this role should possess the following:

• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
• Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Participate in school/non-school activities after school, evenings, on and off- campus, and outside of the regular school year (summer/winter).

Strategic Academic Planning & Policy Interpretation

• Independently evaluates complex student academic histories and determines individualized graduation pathways.
• Interprets state and school academic policies to ensure institutional compliance.
• Serves as the school’s expert resource on academic requirements, accreditation expectations, and advising best practices.
• Designs and implements the school-wide academic advising model, including standards, processes, and quality metrics.

Professional Judgment & DecisionMaking

• Exercises discretion to recommend academic interventions, credit recovery pathways, and course sequencing.
• Provides final sign-off on student graduation eligibility after independent evaluation.
• Advises leadership on academic trends, risks, and student success strategies.

Program Development & Continuous Improvement

• Creates and monitors systems for tracking student progress, early warning indicators, and academic risk.
• Leads evaluation of advising effectiveness and implements evidence-based improvements.
• Develop partnerships with post-secondary institutions and community organizations to enhance academic programming.

Oversight (Not clerical execution)

• Oversees the processes for transcript collection, student record accuracy, and course scheduling.
• Ensures integrity of student data systems and reporting.

Qualifications, Competencies and Strengths

• Associate degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field and 2+ years of experience in academic advising, student services, or education administration
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred and 1+ years of experience in academic advising, student services, or education administration
• Demonstrated ability to analyze academic policy and make independent decisions regarding student academic pathways
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• You will need to possess (or obtain) a valid Class 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
• Must have strong computer skills, considerable public speaking ability, and effective organizational skills.

Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing priorities; communicating with diverse groups of individuals; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; working with detailed information; working with frequent interruptions; setting priorities; working under minimal supervision; working within time constraints; ability to read, write and communicate clearly in English.

Personal Qualities and Values

We value each of our team members as individuals and we believe that we achieve the greatest results by working together. The candidate should enjoy being a team player. 

 

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Reports to: School Principal

Work Hours: Fulltime (8-hours per day) or Part-Time (4-hours per day)

 

How to Apply

You must complete the entire online application to be considered for a position.

Please provide:

• A resume
• Transcripts
• A copy of an IVP Fingerprint Card, and
• References (3) Please also provide complete reference information for each reference, including name, phone number, address, and email address.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aligned with the mission of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools is the commitment to educational equity for all students, staff, and patrons of the school system. In all places and in all activities of Meridian Preparatory Academy, it is expected that every individual will be treated in a fair and equitable manner. All conduct will reflect a belief in the dignity and value of each person, regardless of the individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, citizenship status, or economic status.