Academic and Career Advisor/Sr. Academic and Career Advisor

UMass Amherst•Amherst, NY

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Undergraduate Academic & Career Advisor or Senior Academic & Career Advisor supports the social justice mission of the College of Education and works collaboratively with other advising staff to provide comprehensive academic and career advising for students in (1) the Education Exploratory Track, (2) pre-licensure, and (3) the undergraduate education concentrations. The Advisor is responsible for developing and maintaining advising resources and systems related to one or more of these academic pathways. Both levels ensure a high level of advising and academic services for all students with emphasis on student success and the programmatic needs for first-year, first-generation, and historically marginalized students.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree.
One year of advising experience.
Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Intermediate level computer proficiency.
Ability to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively.
Demonstrated commitment to continued learning or professional development on diversity, equity and justice issues.
Documented experience in academic advising, student support, or other related student-facing roles.
Able to manage a high volume of complex and varied client needs.
Able to recognize at-risk individuals and provide appropriate support and direction.
Able to manage a high volume of complex and varied student needs.
Able to recognize at-risk students and provide appropriate support and direction.
Computer proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
Available to work on occasional nights and weekends.
Experience working with students with a range of academic abilities.
Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of documented experience in academic advising, student support, or other related student-facing role or a Master’s degree in education or an education-related field and one (1) year of related experience.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with education licensure requirements.
Working knowledge of relevant University academic policies and regulations.

Responsibilities

Provides comprehensive individualized and small group academic and career advising to a diverse population of students during the academic year, including peak registration, pre-registration, and new student orientation.
Utilizes and makes recommendations regarding College of Education good practices for the use of University student records systems such as EAB Navigate and SPIRE to document advising services.
Responds to common issues such as registration-related matters including fulfilling the University’s general education requirements, interpreting major and college requirements, and providing guidance for dual degrees, double majors, and minors.
Manages complicated or problematic advising cases—including aiding with complex matters that involve prior misadvising, goal setting related to unusual career outcomes, planning and decision-making such as establishing an academic and career plan, resolving conflicts between two or more majors and/or concentrations and independently evaluating credit for study-abroad and other off-campus programs.
Responds to at-risk students experiencing academic and often critical personal difficulties by addressing relevant issues and making appropriate referrals to University resources. Serves as a resource to faculty members related to at-risk advising cases.
Facilitates program planning related to the growth and development of the undergraduate population within the College of Education fostering a “cohort” model and feeling of belonging for students.
Participates in admissions, alumni weekend, orientation, and other University events as appropriate.
Represents the College of Education at University-wide meetings dedicated to the further development of student success resources and practices within the University context as directed by the Associate Dean for Student Success.
Responds to and manages challenging, time-sensitive, or high-stress inquiries from parents in accordance with FERPA and in a highly professional and respectful manner/tone.
Performs complex graduation clearance processing for Education majors. Approves curricular exceptions and manages problems related to graduation clearance in accordance with established policies and/or practices.
Maintains current knowledge of the College of Education’s current undergraduate offerings as well as changes in licensure requirements and/or the employment landscape that might shape student decision-making. The Senior Academic and Career Advisor will also be responsible for developing and/or maintaining advising resources and systems related to one or more of the College’s academic pathways.
Provides training, guidance, and supervision to the undergraduate student staff, including Peer Advisors.
Mentors less experienced Undergraduate Academic and Career Advisors with advising best practices and in addressing complex advising challenges.
Responsible for complex college graduation clearance process. Maintains familiarity with all changes in degree programs and execute college curricular exceptions.