Academic Advisor - Department of Communication
Academic Advisor - Department of Communication
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Job Description
About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public landgrant research university that seeks to expand educational access fuel innovation and creativity and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863 UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1450acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts stateoftheart facilities for teaching research scholarship and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse equitable and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valuedand thrives and offers a full range of undergraduate graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental social economic and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Undergraduate Advising this position provides entrylevel advising for College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) students in various social science majors double majors dual degrees minors as well as University exploratory track students. The position works closely with other advising personnel to ensure high quality advising and academic services for all students with particular emphasis on programmatic needs for firstyear transfer and atrisk students and uses computerbased registration and academic records technology such as Spire and Navigate. The position is responsive to the widely varied needs of diverse student populations and works in a high volume and fastpaced work environment.
Essential Functions
- Provides entrylevel individualized and small group advising to a diverse population of students during the academic year including new student & transfer orientation/registration periods and current student registration periods.
- Responds to common issues such as registrationrelated matters including fulfilling University general education requirements interpreting major and college requirements and providing guidance for dual degrees double majors and minors.
- Assists students with matters that involve goal setting selfassessment and time management skills planning and decisionmaking such as establishing an academic plan choosing a major within and outside of SBS selecting courses and evaluating courses for studyabroad experiences. Conducts oneonone advising sessions for students with declared majors and/or exploratorytrack students who will work toward identification and declaration of a major.
- Responds to atrisk students experiencing academic and often critical personal difficulties by addressing relevant issues and making appropriate referrals to University agencies.
- Advises a diverse incoming (firstyear and transfer) population in a fastpaced highvolume individual advising format during New Student Orientation before the start of each semester.
- Responds to inquiries from parents or caregivers in accordance with FERPA and in a highlyprofessional and respectful manner/tone.
- Assists with graduation clearance processing being familiar with changes in degree programs and helping to determine any curricular exceptions.
- Regularly holds information sessions for current SBS students as well as for prospective students and students in other majors wanting to transfer into SBS. Participates in evening and weekend activities including Destination Days (Open Houses) Senior Celebration Undergraduate Commencement and other activities and additional events that may be developed.
- Executes special projects and develops resources as needed to support the mission of the SBS Pathways Center departments and the College.
Other Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department Executive Area/Division and University goals and objectives.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX FERPA and other compliance requirements.
- Demonstrates capacity skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
- Works collaboratively with SBS colleagues and other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs and Campus Life and Student Success.
- Establishes and continually updates knowledge of faculty teaching research and interest areas as well as campus resources to appropriately refer majors for additional consultation advising and coursework.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)
- Bachelors degree in Social Sciences or related field. Experience not required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Intermediate level computer proficiency. Ability to create and maintain organized systems for data/record management; strong administrative skills.
- Able to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively with various university personnel.
- Able to manage varied client needs.
- Understanding of student development and commitment to a whole student approach to advising.
- Ability to work individually on selfdirected assignments with minimum supervision and collaboratively in groups.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)
- Professional experience in the areas of academic advising student development or counseling.
- Experience serving a large culturallydiverse population.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office work environment.
Work Schedule
- Monday Friday 8:30 am 5:00 pm.
- Occasional night or weekend hours may be required.
Salary Information
PSU Level 25
Special Instructions to Applicants
Upload your resume and cover letter along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date whichever occurs first.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race color religion caste creed sex age marital status national origin disability political belief or affiliation pregnancy and pregnancyrelated condition(s) veteran status sexual orientation gender identity and expression genetic information natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment admission to and participation in academic programs activities and services and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities women persons with disabilities and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes rules and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
