Job Description

Title: Career Advisor (2 positions)
Division Name: Student Affairs
Department: Career Services

Job Summary

Career Services’ mission is to assist all Illinois State University students with developing, evaluating, and implementing career decisions. The Career Advisor specifically serves Illinois State University’s diverse body of students and alumni for this purpose and makes a personal and professional commitment to their intercultural competence.

Career Advisors facilitate presentations, conduct individual and group advising sessions to assist students with finding opportunities that align with their values, interests, goals, and career path. Advisors also support students and alumni in the areas of career development, career readiness, résumé preparation, interview preparation, and many other career-related topics. Each Career Advisor serves as a liaison to multiple academic departments (or clusters) and collaborates as needed to support the academic and career needs of students. The Career Advisor will be present for and assist in the planning and execution of programs, fairs and events hosted by Career Services and will also represent Career Services at university-sponsored events as needed.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$4,223 per month

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree
2. One (1) year of full time or part time equivalent experience advising, teaching, counseling, or working in career services.
(Note: Master’s degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for 12 months of work experience)
3. Ability to guide diverse students and/or alumni through the career development process (self-assessment, career exploration, decision-making, and job search strategies)
4. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
5. Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
6. Demonstrated ability to effectively counsel/advise college students.
7. Thorough understanding of career development and career readiness.
8. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with a variety of internal and external constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in Counseling, Student Personnel Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field. Knowledge of career development theory/practice, job search strategies, employment trends, and current career resources.
2. Demonstrated ability to advise/counsel, plan, organize, and implement programs.
3. Experience and knowledge about careers and internships in the STEM disciplines.
4. Experience developing and conducting career development workshops, advising sessions, and student action plans.
5. Proven ability to work with administrators, faculty, and staff.
6. Direct experience in career planning/development and demonstrated ability to utilize career development technology.
7. Understanding of career development theory.
8. Experience administering and interpreting career assessment instruments utilized in career decision-making, such as the Focus 2 Career Assessment and Strong Interest Inventory.

Work Hours

Core hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
3. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.

Proposed Starting Date

August 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List
Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States.  Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.  Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit:  only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline in order to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below. In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD214, must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or DD-214 paperwork may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Mackenzie Chapman
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

This position is represented by University Professionals of Illinois.

Contact Information for Applicants

Mackenzie Chapman
Human Resources
309-438-3092
mrchap1@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.