Variable Hours Officer - Specialist Student Services Advisor (4-month position)

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 12/31/2026
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $50.00-$50.00

Position Summary

The Office of Student Services offers academic and other non-clinical counseling; works with the Student Senate, student organizations at large, and law journals; plans and executes  programs and events; assists students with on-campus housing; coordinates health and wellness programs; and serves as a resource for students as they navigate the Law School.

The Variable Hours Officer - Specialist Student Services Adviser (VHO) provides academic advising and non-clinical counseling services to JDs. Reporting directly to the Director of Academic Counseling and Student Support, the VHO will assist in all aspects of their work.  

The VHO will be expected to work 35 hours/week for a 4-month period.

Responsibilities

1. Academic Advising

• Provide regular communication via emails and office hours to assigned cohort of first-year students and to students in the second and third years of the J.D. program. 

• Meet regularly with students to serve as a resource for all aspects of student life at the Law School and the University. 

• Maintain a roster of students of concern and meet with them regularly regarding academic progress and basic physiological needs. 

• Coordinate with faculty on academic issues related to specific students, including absences and incomplete work. 

• Coordinate with Registration Services and review course evaluations each semester.

2. Support for exam administration and programming for bar preparation

• Assist with midterm and final exam proctoring, as needed.

• Collaborate with the Executive and Associate Directors on bar support communications during the summer months in the lead up to the bar exam.

• Develop and support events over the summer for recent alumni who are preparing for the bar exam.

3. Support large scale Student Services programming

• Plan and support new student Orientation, Graduation, and other office initiatives.

4. Performs other duties as assigned and needed in support of the overall mission of the Office of Student Services

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Must have a minimum of three to five years of relevant work experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Evenings, weekends and early morning hours are sometimes required
• Demonstrated interest in student development and ability to work collaboratively with varied constituencies

Preferred Qualifications

• Law degree preferred
• Must have excellent communication skills (oral and written), attention to detail, and strong computer literacy, including proficiency with communication software
• An interest in working in higher education administration strongly preferred
• Must be self-motivated and able to initiate and set goals and prioritize tasks
• Excellent judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality is an absolute must

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.