Job Overview: First Enrollment Academic Advisor (Bilingual)

Empire State University (SUNY Empire) is seeking a student-centered, Bilingual (Spanish/English) Academic Advisor to guide new undergraduate students—particularly transfer and adult learners—through the critical onboarding and orientation phase. This role is essential in ensuring that students begin their academic journey with a clear degree pathway, an understanding of their transfer credits, and a course load that balances their personal goals with their readiness.

As part of a collaborative, dispersed team, you will utilize data-informed strategies and specialized knowledge of university policy to foster student success in both online and hybrid settings.

Key Responsibilities & Academic Advising

Onboarding & Degree Planning

Individualized Advising: Provide 1-on-1 guidance for new students, incorporating their career goals and life priorities into first-term course recommendations.
Transfer Evaluation: Conduct unofficial transcript reviews and explain how prior credits impact degree timelines and concentration options.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA): Identify opportunities for students to earn credit for life and work experience, shortening their time to degree.
System Navigation: Support students through the technical aspects of enrollment, including ERP/CRM systems and financial aid considerations.

Collaborative & Data-Informed Strategy

Faculty Liaison: Partner with Deans and Department Chairs to stay current on academic requirements and emerging degree pathways.
Continuous Improvement: Share trends and insights from your work with newly accepted students to help the university refine its advising services.
Data Utilization: Apply data-informed advising practices to help students make strategic decisions about their education.

Requirements & Qualifications

Mandatory Credentials

Education: Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited university.
Linguistic Skills: Must be bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English.
Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in higher education, specifically in academic advisement or student development.
Cultural Competency: Proven ability to work effectively with faculty and students from diverse linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Technical & Professional Skills

Digital Proficiency: Experience with databases (ERP, CRM) and web-based communication platforms.
Online Engagement: Skills to engage learners in online settings via both synchronous (live) and asynchronous communication.
Bilingual Pedagogy: Prior experience working with emergent bilingual learners, particularly in digital environments.

Compensation & State Benefits

Salary Range: $57,500 – $60,000 (Rank: SL3), dependent on experience.
Health & Wellness: Excellent New York State (NYS) health insurance, plus free dental and vision coverage.
Retirement: Competitive retirement options and generous accruals for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Flexibility: Robust remote and flexible work options designed to support a dispersed work environment.
Development: Access to professional development activities and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

Why Join Empire State University?

SUNY Empire is a leader in adult learning and online education. As an AA/EEO/ADA employer, the university is committed to diversity and inclusion. This role offers the chance to make a tangible impact on the lives of transfer students and bilingual learners, helping them navigate the complexities of higher education with confidence and linguistic support.

Application Information

Interested candidates should apply through the Empire State University employment portal. Please note that VISA sponsorship is not available for this position, and occasional evening/weekend work or travel may be required to meet student needs.

The Organization & Culture Empire State University (formerly Empire State College) is the State University of New York’s (SUNY) flagship online institution. In 2026, the university is defined by its mission of “radical accessibility,” specifically catering to adult learners, working professionals, and military-affiliated students. The culture is built on individualized mentoring rather than traditional lecture-hall models. Every student is paired with a faculty mentor who helps them design a degree plan tailored to their specific career goals. For the workforce, the environment is highly flexible and decentralized, emphasizing Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)—a core pillar that allows students to earn college credit for professional experience, military training, and even volunteer work.

The Location: A Statewide Virtual & Physical Hybrid While headquartered in Saratoga Springs, NY, Empire State University operates as a “campus without walls” with a significant footprint in the New York City metro area.

Manhattan Hub: Located at 4 Park Avenue, this site houses the prestigious Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies, which partners with major trade unions to offer specialized degrees in labor relations and historical studies.
Brooklyn Presence: The university maintains a regional location at 177 Livingston Street, providing in-person support and administrative services for the thousands of CUNY and private-sector transfers living in the borough.
Staten Island & Regional Offices: Additional support offices are located at 1200 South Avenue and throughout the SUNY community college network (e.g., SUNY Westchester and SUNY Orange), acting as local touchpoints for a student body that is 98% fully online.

To apply for this job please visit sunyempire.edu.