Academic Success Counselor

Summary

Position Title

Academic Success Counselor

Department

College of Law

Position Reports to (Position Title)

Associate Dean, Academic Success and Bar Prep

Effective Date

04/18/2024

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Job Summary

The Academic Success Counselor is responsible for contributing to a robust student experience by providing academic success and bar exam support services to current law students and bar exam support services to future graduates. This is an opportunity to join the newest accredited law school in the nation located in the heart of the legal community in downtown Jacksonville. Join a great team and participate in the founding and formulation of our academic success and bar prep programs. The position will offer opportunities for career growth in the program.

The Academic Success Counselor is a full-time staff member who will actively participate in implementing procedures to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Academic Success and Bar Prep Program. The Academic Success Counselor will be assigned an instructor position to teach courses on legal analysis and the bar exam. Additionally, this position assists on the oversight of confidential data and reporting. The ability to provide timely, accurate communication is an essential component of this position.

The Academic Success Counselor works in a collaborative relationship with all JD students, law faculty and administrators, and university offices. This position requires occasional attendance at on and off campus events during normal business hours. The Academic Success Counselor reports directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Bar Prep. Some travel may be required.

Duties/Responsibilities

Provide Academic Counseling, Advising and Instruction to JD Students:

• Meet in one-on-one academic counseling by meeting with students individually to work with JD students  to increase their overall academic study and test taking skills
• Provide academic skills tutoring for students and refer students to relevant resources as needed
• Meet with future graduates individually during bar exam cycles to increase their overall bar exam skills
• Meet with students to advise them on courses to take and how to maximize their law school experiences,  particularly during registration season
• Some personal and non-academic counseling may be required
• Refer students to other counseling resources when necessary
• Provide instruction in connection with the department’s academic success and bar preparation programming, as needed and as determined by the Vice Dean, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Bar Prep
• Teaching assignments to occur in the Fall and Spring semesters with continued instruction and support in summer for future graduates preparing for the bar exam
• Work with the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Bar Prep to prepare curriculum for course(s) as needed and support the Program’s efforts to improve and align curriculum with other instructors.

Aid the Associate Dean in the Continued Development and Management of the Academic Success and Bar Preparation Programming:

• Review and improve upon current academic support programs for first year students including first year academic success fellows, 1L study groups, study skills workshops, and early outreach programs, including development of programming collateral materials, handouts, web resources, etc.
• Aid in the development of the academic success program for students beyond their first year
• Advise and work with students on all aspects of bar exam preparation
• Host workshops on bar-exam related topics
• Aid in the creation of digital content for academic skills and bar exam skills
• As needed, assist with the administration of the Academic Plans and Probation
• As needed, assist the Associate Dean in the general administration of Program, including but not limited to working with the law faculty and communicating with commercial bar preparation companies

Perform administrative duties:

• Perform administrative duties as necessary including tracking event budgets and costs, responding promptly to emails and phone calls, and attending meetings within the department, law school and university
• Keep up to date on latest trends and practices within bar preparation, academic support and legal education, which may include attending conferences
• Attendance and active participation in Orientation and Commencement
• Perform other duties or tasks assigned
• Assist with the implementation of departmental, division, and University programs and initiates as needed.
• Organizes and prepares for meetings and events hosted by the department

Required Skills/Abilities

•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•  Excellent time management skills.
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
•  Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
•  Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education, Certificates, Licenses, & Experience

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school is required
• Admission to any state bar is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Florida state bar admission preferred.
• Academic Success experience strongly preferred
• Academic counseling or advising experience working with a diverse student body is strongly preferred
• Professional experience in a higher education or law school environment is preferred

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach.
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines.

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

Applicants need to send the following application files in a single PDF file to Lauren Knight at lknight4@ju.edu

• Letter of Intent
  Curriculum Vitae
  Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be needed before hiring)
  A list of three references including their contact information