Jobs › Joliet Junior College

Academic Advisor

Joliet Junior College · Joliet, IL · $26.42–$28.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you gave someone advice they didn't want to hear.

What they are checking: Whether they can deliver hard news, like a program not fitting, clearly and kindly.

Tell me about a time you worked with students from backgrounds very different from your own.

What they are checking: Whether they can build trust with first-generation, adult and diverse students at a community college.

What would you do

During registration rush, you have back-to-back appointments and a line of walk-ins. How do you keep quality from slipping?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay accurate and caring when the advising center is at its busiest.

A student is on academic probation and feels like giving up. How do you approach that appointment?

What they are checking: Whether they can be honest about the situation and still help the student build a plan to recover.

A student tells you they're struggling with housing and food on top of school. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know when to refer students to other campus support instead of handling only the academic side.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd plan a first advising appointment with a new student who isn't sure what they want to study.

What they are checking: Whether they can help an undecided student explore options and leave with a clear next step.

A student wants to transfer to a four-year university. How do you make sure the courses they take at JJC will count?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to use transfer agreements and plan carefully so students don't waste credits or money.

How do you stay current on program requirements and policy changes across the college?

What they are checking: Whether they keep their knowledge up to date, since wrong advice can delay a student's graduation.

How would you explain financial aid rules about satisfactory academic progress to a student who is about to drop a class?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how course decisions affect aid, which can change a student's ability to stay enrolled.

How do you document advising notes so the next advisor knows what happened?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear notes that let any advisor pick up where they left off.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Joliet Junior College from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Joliet Junior College.

Position Title: Academic Advisor Job Description: POSTION: Academic Advisor STATUS: Full Time DEPARTMENT: Student Advising Center DIVISION: Student Development CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt UNION: TOSSC-AFT Local 604 REPORTS TO: Manager, Student Advising Center PLACEMENT: Grade 110 HIRING RANGE: $26.42 - $28.00 per hour Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The student population at the college is diverse in ethnicity, gender, language, age and background. Joliet Junior College is an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. POSITION SUMMARY The Academic Advisor provides academic advising for new and continuing students and serves as a liaison between the Student Advising Center and assigned academic pathways. Provides support to continuing students who are undecided about their major or career pathway and offers academic support and coaching to a diverse group of students including those on probation, in need of financial aid appeals or assistance with veteran semester planning. Assists in referring students to on-campus resources to aid student success. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND KEY RESPONISBILIES 1. Provide guided academic pathway coaching for new, continuing, transfer, reverse-transfer, and undecided students; assist with identifying the educational options appropriate for the stated goal, assist with the interpretation of the placement test scores, and support coursework selection for certificate or degree completion and/or transfer planning; access self-service resources in the student portal. 2. Serve as point person for initial advising for reverse transfer and returning student onboarding. Assist with advising in New Student Advising sessions. 3. Assist faculty advisors in designated pathways with financial aid appeals, students who are on academic probation or suspension, and veteran planning. Develop success strategies to support student goals and make referrals to special population resources and/or programs. 4. Collaborate with Enrollment Management to support processes related to academic major/pathway change and financial aid appeals, including academic planning and document completion. 5. Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs to assist students with unique circumstances requiring special permissions for course enrollment; serve as generalists providing pathway coaching through completion of student goals and facilitate referrals to a faculty advisors when appropriate. 6. Collaborate with the Record Department and/or appropriate Academic Department Chair/Dean when conducting unofficial transcript reviews for course planning, as needed. 7. Participate in regular academic/curriculum update and training to stay current in articulation agreements, transfer tools, and technology that aid in student planning. Support students in academic and transfer planning with foundational understanding of General Education Core Curriculum, Illinois Articulation, Initiative (IAI). 8. Provide comprehensive pathway coaching in collaboration with Disability Services to support the unique needs of students with disabilities (Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008) during their first year of transition. 9. Monitor academic progress of students toward degree and/or certificate completion; identify current and potential academic needs; refer students to appropriate campus resources for additional assistance. Provide updates/reports to leadership regarding student progress (i.e. Navigate, or other advising technology) 10. Maintain student files and records in academic advising software; document all pertinent student information and update notes in the designated software regarding changes to student status. Utilize data for strategic comprehensive reporting and communication campaigns. 11. Interpret and explain college policies and procedures; participate in preparation of orientations; present academic information to new students and parents/family during new student onboarding, 12. Assist in recruitment of potential students providing information and coaching regarding general academic requirements for specific degree/certificate program; describe courses; and disseminate information regarding enrollment procedures. 13. Maintain thorough daily, weekly, and semester records/logs concerning students to compile appropriate narrative statistical enrollment, retention, and matriculation reports. 14. Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Master’s Degree. 2. Three (3) years of advising or academic coaching experience in higher education. 3. Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, time management, human relations, problem-solving skills, and training and presentation skills. 4. Knowledge of academic and occupational programs, articulation agreements, transfer guides, assessment and academic career advisement. 5. Self-directed with the ability to work independently within changing deadlines. 6. Knowledge regarding Financial aid processes. 7. Ability to analyze and address the educational and personal needs of students. 8. Proficient with computers and database related software. 9. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence. 10. Demonstrated commitment to the college’s core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 1. Minimum five (5) years of academic advising experience. 2. Community College advising experience. 3. Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations, case management approach to student support and experience working with undecided or exploration students. 4. Colleague, Workday, degree audit and retention planning database experience. 5. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency. 6. Demonstrated multicultural competence. PHYSICAL DEMANDS 1. Normal office physical demands. 2. Ability to travel and work between campus locations and to and from community events. 3. Ability to travel in state and nationally. WORKING CONDITIONS 1. Duties are performed indoors in the usual office and/or outdoor environment. BENEFITS Click on the link for information about JJC's Benefits: Technical Office Support Staff Council (TOSSC)-AFT Local 604 Full Time/Part Time: Full time Union (If Applicable): TOSSC Scheduled Hours: 40

Apply at Joliet Junior College