Head Student Advisor

HEAD STUDENT ADVISOR

A Day in the Life:

The Head Student Advisor works with advisors to ensure students are on track to accomplish their goals. The Head Student Advisor acts as the communication bridge between advisors, CIP administration, and families. The Head Student Advisor is expected to manage their team of advisors in a positive, directed, and structured manner to ensure that students are receiving services required. The Head Student Advisor is an onsite full-time exempt position located in Berkeley, CA that reports to the Program Director. 

This position operates in a highly scheduled environment but may require longer hours and occasional weekend work and minimal travel as job duties demand. The Head Student Advisor position involves a moderate physical demand. 

The College Internship Program (CIP) is a full-year private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services. CIP’s programs uniquely address the needs of adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and other learning differences by providing a comprehensive curriculum, expert staffing, and a structured weekly schedule. We believe that a learning disability is a learning difference, and our expert staff understand and meet our young adults enrolled in the program where they are at. Our programs focus on the generalization of specialized skills specifically for autism and learning differences. CIP students live with a close-knit community of peers within a supported apartment living setting and fully access the community around them. Each student’s unique needs are met individually as they prepare for success in independent living, college, and employment. CIP is the result of strategies we have developed over 40 years working with hundreds of young people who learn differently and have exceptionalities, helping develop the self-knowledge and skills to live happy and productive lives.

All the Responsibilities We’ll Trust You With:

• Oversee student’s personal Centered Plan (PCP) to assist advisors in establishing short and long-term goals and secure input from the student, family, and staff. 

• Ensure advisors are communicating twice a month with the student’s family regarding progress made, activities attended, schedule changes, internship updates and possibilities, and any other information which pertains to the student’s program plan. 

• Maintain records of student and advisor family communications in our electronic system. 

• Ensure all information from other departments is communicated to advisors and parents properly. 

• Communicate with applicable Educational Consultants as per the guidelines. 

• Responsible for coordinating advisor/student family meetings. 

• Assist advisors with coaching students on banking, money management, and budgeting. 

• Assist advisors in coaching students with setting up any necessary outside appointments. 

• Oversee team review meetings in order to receive an update on all areas of the student’s academic progress. 

• Oversee attendance tracking document to ensure students are attending all modules and or assist the advisor in holding attendance meetings and developing action plans. 

• Ensure advisors are performing weekly assessments on students to determine their weekly status. 

• Supervise advising team; ensure tasks are completed accurately and timely and perform annual evaluations on reporting staff. 

• Assist advisors in coaching their students on medication management. 

• Host weekly advisor team meetings; fill out temp read reports, escalation reports, and address agenda items. 

• *Other Duties as Assigned

Qualities You Possess:

• The Head Student Advisor will possess exceptional communication skills, precise attention to detail, superior organization and prioritization skills and self-motivation in managing tasks to completion. They will have genuine empathy and awareness of the needs and sensitivities of prospective families, students, and staff.

Your Areas of Knowledge and Expertise:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field is required.

• Proficient with office utility computer software programs and a quick learner in new technologies is required.

• 2 years of experience in the field of autism and/or learning disabilities at the higher education level is highly preferred. 

• Special education and/or advising background, particularly at the higher education level is highly preferred. 

• An Active Driver’s License is required.

Why Join CIP?

• Vacation Time - 15 days full time only

• Paid Holidays - 12 days full time only;Holiday premium pay for part time only

• Paid Sick Days and Personal Days accrued

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Voluntary Benefits: Short and Long-term Disability, Additional Life, Child Life and Spousal Life 

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• 401(K) - We offer a Traditional 401(K) and a Roth 401(K) employer match up to 4%

  • Financial Wellness Advisor Services  

• Tuition and continued education reimbursement up to $3,000 annually for full time and up to $1,000 for part time

• Wellness reimbursement of $200 per year for full time and $100 per year for part time

• Employee Assistance Program: child care and parenting, senior care and aging, emotional health, health and wellness, legal and financial, access to discounts 

• A health advocate to assist with our insurance & healthcare challenges

• Ongoing monthly training and professional development opportunities

• Supportive and Collaborative Culture

*Please note that the benefits listed may change based on business needs, regulatory requirements or other factors

Competency-Based Hiring Philosophy

CIP utilizes a competency-based hiring and development process designed to evaluate candidates based on demonstrated skills, experience, leadership capability, and alignment with the responsibilities of the role. Compensation placement within the salary range is determined based on factors including relevant experience, demonstrated competencies, leadership background, industry expertise, and familiarity with CIP’s service model and student population. Candidates with direct experience supporting neurodiverse young adults, transition-age programming, residential environments, and multidisciplinary educational or support teams may be better positioned for advanced placement within the range.

CIP values professional growth and is committed to developing leaders over time through training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Accommodations Disabilities Act Statement

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job position.

Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

College Internship Program (CIP) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Team members may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary.