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If you’ve Googled “academic advisor job description,” you’ve probably seen dozens of articles that all look the same — a few bullet points, some generic requirements, and a vague summary that could apply to any school or university.
The problem? Those posts don’t actually help you attract a great academic advisor. They’re written for search engines, not for humans — and definitely not for the kind of advisors who can guide students, boost retention rates, and strengthen your institution’s reputation.
The truth is, the best candidates aren’t swayed by a laundry list of duties. They want to know the purpose behind the role, the kind of students they’ll be working with, and how their expertise will make an impact.
Before we dive in, I recommend reading our full guide on how to write a job post that attracts top talent , Link https://workscreen.io/how-to-write-a-job-post/ — it breaks down why generic job descriptions fail and shows you the exact structure that works for attracting high-quality candidates.
In this article, we’ll go beyond the generic “cut-and-paste” job description. We’ll break down exactly what an academic advisor does, show you two strong templates (including one for hiring an advisor with potential but no experience), and give you the tools to write a post that not only fills the role — but attracts the right person for it.
Build a winning team—without the hiring headache. WorkScreen helps you hire fast, confidently, and without second-guessing.
What An Academic Advisor Actually Does
An academic advisor helps students make smart choices about their education — from selecting courses and meeting graduation requirements to exploring career paths and staying on track academically.
They’re not just schedulers or paperwork processors. A great academic advisor is part mentor, part strategist, and part problem-solver. They guide students through challenges, connect them with resources, and help them balance academic goals with personal realities.
In many ways, they’re the bridge between students and the institution — making sure policies make sense in practice, helping faculty understand student needs, and ensuring every learner has the best chance to succeed.
That’s why traits like empathy, active listening, and clear communication are just as important as knowing degree requirements and enrollment systems. Students often remember the advisors who made them feel understood long after they’ve graduated.
Two Great Academic Advisor Job Description Templates
Version 1 — Job Description For Experienced Academic Advisors
📌 Job Title: Academic Advisor — Student Success Team (Ridgeway University)
📍 Location: Portland, OR | On-Campus (Hybrid 2 days/week)
💼 Type: Full-Time | Student Success & Advising
💰 Salary Range: $62,000–$74,000 (DOE)
🎥 A quick word from our hiring manager
[Loom/YouTube link: “Meet the Team & What Success Looks Like in the First 90 Days”]
Who We Are — Ridgeway University
Ridgeway University is a public institution in Portland, Oregon, known for hands-on learning, supportive faculty, and a student-first advising model. We serve a diverse undergraduate and graduate population across business, health, engineering, and liberal arts. Our mission is simple: help every student design a learning path that leads to meaningful work and a life they’re proud of.
Our Culture
- Student-first, always: decisions are measured by student outcomes
- Collaborative by default: advisors, faculty, and career services co-own success
- Data-informed & human: we use analytics to spot risk early, then coach with empathy
- Growth mindset: we test, iterate, and share what works across the team
What You’ll Do
- Advise an assigned caseload on degree planning, course selection, and graduation timelines
- Proactively monitor academic progress; design outreach plans for at-risk students
- Interpret policies and guide students through petitions, appeals, and exceptions
- Collaborate with faculty, career services, and tutoring to coordinate support
- Lead workshops (orientation, major mapping, time management, grad prep)
- Maintain accurate notes and reports in Slate/Banner (or similar SIS/CRM)
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s required; Master’s in Higher Ed, Counseling, or related field preferred
- 2+ years in academic advising, student success, or retention-focused roles
- Credible student advocate with excellent listening and coaching skills
- Comfortable with SIS/CRM tools and basic analytics dashboards
- Calm, organized, and proactive—especially during registration peaks
Perks & Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision; 401(a)/403(b) with employer contribution
- Tuition remission for you + eligible dependents
- 20 days PTO + 12 holidays + winter break
- Annual professional development stipend and NACADA membership
Why This Role Is a Great Fit
You’ll shape student outcomes at scale, experiment with new success strategies, and work with a team that shares knowledge and celebrates wins. If you want a seat at the table where student policy meets real lives, this is it.
Our Hiring Process
We review every application and respond within two weeks. Shortlisted candidates complete a scenario-based exercise and meet the advising team. Finalists complete references before an offer.
How to Apply
Apply via WorkScreen: [Insert WorkScreen link]
You’ll complete a brief skills evaluation so your strengths show beyond your résumé.
Version 2 — Job Description For Entry-Level / Willing-to-Train Academic Advisor
📌 Job Title: Academic Advisor (Training Provided) — Northstar Community College
📍 Location: Mesa, AZ | On-Campus
💼 Type: Full-Time | Student Success Center
💰 Salary Range: $48,000–$56,000
🎥 A quick word from our hiring manager
[Loom/YouTube link: “What We Look For (Even If You’ve Never Advised Before)”]
Who We Are — Northstar Community College
Northstar is a mission-driven community college focused on access, affordability, and momentum toward transfer or employment. We offer flexible programs for working adults, first-gen students, and career-changers—and we meet learners where they are with practical support.
Our Culture
- Welcoming & inclusive: every student is somebody’s future favorite colleague
- Coaching over gatekeeping: we default to “how might we help?”
- Learn by doing: we train, shadow, and give you reps with real support
- Clear feedback loops: weekly huddles, shared playbooks, and open metrics
What You’ll Do
- Guide students through program selection, course planning, and key deadlines
- Spot early warning signs (attendance, grades) and connect students to help
- Support orientation, group advising, and transfer planning sessions
- Keep accurate notes and follow-ups in our CRM (Salesforce Education Cloud)
- Shadow senior advisors; complete a structured ramp-up curriculum in 90 days
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree (any field) or relevant mentoring/teaching/youth-program experience
- Strong communication, note-taking, and follow-through
- Tech-comfortable; quick learner with CRMs and campus systems
- High empathy and patience; bilingual a plus but not required
Perks & Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision; pension/403(b) options
- Tuition assistance + paid certifications
- 15 days PTO + 10 holidays + summer Fridays
- On-campus wellness center and commuter benefits
Why This Role Is a Great Fit
You’ll get real training, real mentorship, and a clear growth path—Advisor → Senior Advisor → Student Success Lead. Your work will have visible, near-term impact on students’ progress and confidence.
Our Hiring Process
We reply to every applicant. Shortlisted candidates complete a short student-scenario exercise, then meet the team (virtual or on-campus). Finalists provide references before an offer.
How to Apply
Apply via WorkScreen: [Insert WorkScreen link]
Our skills evaluation lets you shine—even if your background isn’t traditional.
WorkScreen simplifies the hiring process, helping you quickly identify top talent while eliminating low-quality applications. By saving you countless hours and reducing the risk of bad hires, it empowers you to build a team that delivers results
Breakdown of Why These Academic Advisor Job Posts Work
These Academic Advisor job descriptions work because they combine clarity, human connection, and practical transparency — the three things most generic JDs miss.
1. Clear, Specific Titles
- Ridgeway University didn’t just say “Academic Advisor.” They added “Student Success Team” — signaling where the role sits and its focus.
- Northstar Community College clarified “(Training Provided)” in the title. This instantly widens the talent pool and attracts candidates who may have the skills but not the exact advising background.
2. Warm, Contextual Introductions
- Instead of starting with “Job Summary,” both posts open with a mission-forward snapshot of the institution.
- This gives candidates an emotional reason to keep reading — they see the bigger “why” before they see the tasks.
3. Video Element for Trust
- The short Loom/YouTube message humanizes the hiring process.
- Candidates can “meet” the hiring manager and get a sense of the team’s vibe before applying — which is a differentiator in higher ed hiring.
4. Clear Company Culture Section
- Instead of vague claims like “We value diversity,” the culture sections show behaviors in action (“Collaborative by default,” “Coaching over gatekeeping,” “Weekly huddles, shared playbooks”).
- This helps candidates self-select based on fit, reducing mismatches later.
5. Transparent Salary & Perks
- Both roles list a salary range up front — this builds trust and filters out candidates who wouldn’t accept the offer range.
- Perks and benefits are separate from the ‘Why This Role Is a Great Fit’ section so they don’t get buried.
6. Purpose-Driven Responsibilities
- Duties aren’t generic (“advise students”) — they’re tied to impact (“design outreach plans for at-risk students,” “spot early warning signs and connect students to help”).
- This shows the role’s contribution to institutional goals, not just tasks.
7. Respectful, Transparent Hiring Process
- Instead of the cold “Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted,” both posts state:
- Every application is reviewed.
- Candidates will get a response within a set timeframe.
- Shortlisted applicants know exactly what to expect next.
- Every application is reviewed.
- This signals a student-first mindset extended to hiring.
8. Strong “Why This Role Is a Great Fit” Pitch
- Ridgeway appeals to impact and innovation (“seat at the table where student policy meets real lives”).
- Northstar focuses on growth and training (“clear path Advisor → Senior Advisor → Student Success Lead”).
- Both are tailored to the type of candidate each institution is trying to attract.
Example of a Bad Academic Advisor Job Description (And Why It Fails)
📌 Job Title: Academic Advisor
📍 Location: Main Campus
💼 Type: Full-Time
Job Summary
The Academic Advisor is responsible for providing academic guidance to students and assisting them in course selection and meeting graduation requirements.
Responsibilities
- Meet with students to discuss academic progress.
- Assist students with course registration.
- Provide information about academic policies.
- Maintain advising records.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Experience in academic advising preferred.
- Good communication skills.
Salary & Benefits
Not specified.
How to Apply
Send your CV and cover letter to hr@institution.edu. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Why This Job Post Falls Short
- Generic Job Title
- “Academic Advisor” with no qualifiers leaves the role feeling interchangeable with any institution’s posting. There’s no hint of the focus, department, or student population served.
- Cold, Vague Introduction
- The “Job Summary” is minimal and purely functional. It doesn’t speak to the mission, purpose, or the type of students the advisor will work with.
- Zero Cultural Context
- No mention of values, team environment, or how advising is approached. This makes it impossible for a candidate to assess fit.
- Responsibilities Without Impact
- Tasks are listed, but there’s no “why” behind them. It’s impossible to tell if this role is transactional or strategic.
- Missing Salary Transparency
- No range means many candidates will self-select out or apply without knowing if the offer will meet their expectations.
- Outdated Hiring Process Language
- “Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted” feels dismissive and discouraging — the opposite of the warm, respectful tone you want in a student-facing role.
- No Perks or Growth Mentioned
- Even if they exist, failing to mention them makes the job less competitive against other institutions that do.
Bonus Tips to Make Academic Advisor Job Posts Stand Out
Tip 1 — Add a Security & Privacy Notice for Applicants
Build trust and protect candidates by including a line like:
“We take the privacy of our applicants seriously. We will never request payment, banking details, or personal financial information at any stage of the hiring process.”
Tip 2 — Mention Leave Days or Flex Time
Time off matters as much as salary to many candidates. Be upfront about it:
“Enjoy up to 20 days of paid leave annually, plus 12 holidays and a winter break closure.”
Tip 3 — Highlight Training & Growth Opportunities
Advising is often a stepping stone to leadership or faculty roles — call that out:
“We invest in your growth with annual professional development funds, NACADA membership, and a clear path to Senior Advisor or Student Success Lead.”
Tip 4 — Include a Short Loom or YouTube Video
Let applicants “meet” the hiring manager or advising team. A 1–2 minute video creates a connection before they even apply.
Here is an example that we used in our master guide on how to write a great job post description , you can check it out here https://www.loom.com/share/ba401b65b7f943b68a91fc6b04a62ad4
Tip 5 — Show the Student Impact
Quantify or describe the difference an advisor makes:
“Our advisors support an average of 250 students each, helping improve graduation rates by 12% over the last 3 years.”
Tip 6 — Be Clear on the First 90 Days
Outline what success looks like early. It helps candidates self-assess readiness:
“By month three, you’ll have completed full caseload training, led your first student workshop, and developed a proactive outreach plan for at-risk students.”
AI Caution: Why Blindly Using AI Hurts Your Job Post
With so many tools offering “one-click job description generation,” it’s tempting to let AI do the heavy lifting. Even some ATS platforms now include built-in AI writers.
But here’s the truth: if you feed AI nothing but a job title (“Academic Advisor”) and hit “generate,” you’ll get a bland, forgettable post that could apply to any institution anywhere.
Why This Is a Problem:
- Generic language means your post blends into dozens of others online.
- No cultural fingerprint — candidates can’t tell what makes your school unique.
- Wrong applicant pool — you’ll attract more volume, but fewer qualified fits.
- Missed first impression — your job post is often the first “interaction” a candidate has with your brand.
The Smarter Way to Use AI for an Academic Advisor Job Post
AI can be an amazing assistant if you give it the right inputs.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1 — Gather Your Raw Material
Before prompting AI, write down:
- Your institution’s mission & student population
- Department culture and advising philosophy
- Specific responsibilities & impact
- Perks, benefits, and growth opportunities
- Your hiring process steps & timelines
Step 2 — Write a Specific Prompt
Example:
“Help me write a job post for an Academic Advisor at Ridgeway University in Portland, OR. We’re a student-first institution with a collaborative, data-informed advising model. The advisor will manage a caseload of 250 undergraduates, proactively support at-risk students, and lead student success workshops. Include a warm intro about our mission, a company culture section, transparent salary range ($62k–$74k), perks and benefits, and a respectful hiring process. Here are a few notes I’ve written to get you started: [paste your notes].”
Step 3 — Let AI Polish, Not Invent
- Use it to refine tone, smooth transitions, or restructure sections.
- Keep your human touch — AI should not replace your unique language or examples.
Don’t let bad hires slow you down. WorkScreen helps you identify the right people—fast, easy, and stress-free.
Copy-Paste Job Description Templates for Quick Use
✅ Option 1: Conversational Job Description (Culture-First Style)
Job Title: Academic Advisor — Student Success Team ([Company Name])
📍 Location: [City, State] | [On-Campus / Hybrid / Remote]
💼 Type: Full-Time | [Department Name]
💰 Salary Range: $[XX,XXX]–$[XX,XXX]
🎥 Meet Your Future Team: [Insert Loom/YouTube Link]
Who We Are
[Company Name] is a student-first institution known for hands-on learning and personalized support. We serve a diverse community across [program areas], helping learners design clear pathways from classroom to career. Our mission is simple: help every student make confident, informed progress toward graduation and meaningful work.
Our Culture
- Student outcomes over bureaucracy
- Collaboration across advising, faculty, and career services
- Data-informed, human-led coaching
- Growth mindset: share wins, learn fast, improve together
What You’ll Do
- Manage a caseload for degree planning, registration, and timely progression
- Proactively reach out to at-risk students with tailored success plans
- Interpret policies; guide petitions/appeals when needed
- Lead workshops (orientation, time management, major mapping)
- Coordinate with tutoring, counseling, and career services
- Maintain accurate notes in [Student System/CRM]
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s required; Master’s in Higher Ed/Counseling or related field preferred
- [X]+ years in advising/student success/retention (or equivalent)
- Empathetic communicator and calm problem-solver
- Comfortable with [SIS/CRM] and basic analytics dashboards
Perks & Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision; [401a/403b] with employer contribution
- Tuition assistance/remission for you + eligible dependents
- days PTO + [X] holidays + [seasonal/winter] break
- Annual professional development stipend (e.g., NACADA membership)
Why This Role Is a Great Fit
You’ll shape student outcomes at scale, test new success strategies, and work with a team that actually collaborates. If you want a seat where policy meets real lives, you’ll love this work.
How to Apply
Apply via WorkScreen: [Insert WorkScreen Link]. Complete a short skills evaluation so your strengths show beyond your résumé.
✅ Option 2: Structured “Job Brief + Responsibilities + Requirements” Format
Job Title: Academic Advisor ([Company Name])
📍 Location: [City, State] | [On-Campus / Hybrid / Remote]
💼 Type: Full-Time | [Department Name]
💰 Salary Range: $[XX,XXX]–$[XX,XXX]
Job Brief
[Company Name] seeks an Academic Advisor to guide students through program selection, course planning, and on-time graduation. You’ll collaborate with faculty and support teams to keep learners moving forward with clarity and confidence.
Responsibilities
- Advise students on degree requirements, course sequencing, and key deadlines
- Monitor academic progress and conduct timely outreach
- Support orientation/workshops and group advising sessions
- Refer students to campus resources (tutoring, counseling, career)
- Maintain accurate documentation in [Student System/CRM]
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (any field); Master’s a plus
- Strong communication, organization, and follow-through
- Ability to learn new systems quickly; tech-comfortable
- Empathy and a student-centered mindset
Perks & Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision; [pension/403b] options
- Tuition assistance + paid certifications
- days PTO + [X] holidays + [flex/summer] schedule
- Wellness programs and [commuter/childcare/on-campus] perks
How to Apply
Apply via WorkScreen: [Insert WorkScreen Link]. Our evaluation is fair, transparent, and skill-based.
Next Step: Let WorkScreen Handle the Hard Part
Once your Academic Advisor job post is ready and attracting the right people, the next challenge is sorting through applicants to find your best fit — without drowning in résumés or wasting time on low-effort applications.
That’s where WorkScreen.io comes in.
Here’s how it helps you hire smarter:
- Quickly identify your most promising candidates
WorkScreen automatically evaluates, scores, and ranks applicants on a performance-based leaderboard—making it easy to spot top talent, save time, and make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.
- Easily run one-click skill tests
With WorkScreen, you can administer one-click skill tests to assess candidates based on real-world ability—not just credentials like résumés and past experience. This helps you hire more confidently and holistically.
- Eliminate low-effort applicants
WorkScreen automatically eliminates low-effort applicants who use AI Tools to apply, copy-paste answers, or rely on “one-click apply.” This way, you focus only on genuine, committed, and high-quality candidates—helping you avoid costly hiring mistakes.
With the right job post and WorkScreen’s automated screening, you’ll attract strong candidates and make faster, more confident hiring decisions.
create your Academic Advisor post, share the link with candidates, and let WorkScreen take them through a skill-based evaluation process that saves you hours.
FAQ
Beyond knowledge of academic programs and policies, strong advisors have empathy, active listening skills, and the ability to build trust quickly. They should be organized, comfortable using student information systems, and skilled at spotting potential challenges before they derail a student’s progress. Problem-solving, cultural sensitivity, and clear communication are also critical for supporting diverse student populations.
The average salary varies by location, institution type, and experience level. In the United States, most Academic Advisors earn between $45,000 and $65,000 per year. Advisors at larger universities or with advanced degrees may earn $70,000 or more, while entry-level positions at smaller institutions may start closer to $40,000.
Caseloads vary widely — some community colleges assign fewer than 150 students per advisor, while larger universities may assign 300 or more. Caseload size can significantly affect the amount of personalized attention an advisor can provide.
Not always — many institutions hire advisors with a bachelor’s degree, especially for entry-level roles. However, a Master’s in Higher Education, Counseling, or Student Affairs can improve career prospects, qualify you for senior positions, and sometimes increase starting salary.
