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

About the Opportunity

This position provides academic support and guidance to Women’s Basketball and other Olympic Sports student-athletes assigned by the Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS). Duties include organizing and implementing academic programs that contribute to the educational and personal growth of student-athletes.

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

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year, and the flexibility to use that time to care for immediate family members
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Oversee campus collaboration committee within the Office of Student-Athlete Academic Services in conjunction with other staff members to engage with University staff members on a regular basis.
• Coordinate monthly student-athlete recognition with advisors based on academic performance. Responsible for communicating with Sports Information, updating website, and posting to all SAAS social media platforms.
• Evaluate student-athlete academic records to determine progress towards a degree and maintenance of eligibility. Requires knowledge of institutional and NCAA eligibility requirements. Inform coaches regarding institutional and NCAA requirements related to student-athlete’s academic progress and eligibility.
• Organize and implement 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• Master’s degree, preferably in education, social science, counseling or similar field.
• 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.

• Valid driver's license.
  

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.