Academic and Career Advisor/Sr. Academic and Career Advisor

UMass Amherst•Amherst, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Undergraduate Academic and Career Advisor or Senior Academic and Career Advisor supports the social justice mission of the College of Education and collaborates with advising staff to provide comprehensive academic and career advising to students in the Education Exploratory Track, pre-licensure, and undergraduate education concentrations. The role develops and maintains advising resources and systems for one or more of these pathways and provides high-quality academic services focused on student success, particularly for first-year, first-generation, and historically marginalized students. The position provides individualized and small-group advising, supports registration and orientation, manages complex advising cases, assists at-risk students, and makes referrals to University resources. It also contributes to program planning, admissions and other University events, graduation clearance, curricular exceptions, and the ongoing interpretation of program, licensure, and employment requirements. The Senior Academic and Career Advisor additionally mentors less experienced advisors and is responsible for developing or maintaining pathway-related advising resources and systems. The position is based in Amherst, follows a Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule, and offers the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement. It is subject to the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement and final budgetary and administrative approval.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least one year of advising experience.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Intermediate computer proficiency, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
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.
Ability to manage a high volume of complex and varied client and student needs.
Ability to recognize at-risk individuals or students and provide appropriate support and direction.
Experience working with students with a range of academic abilities.
Availability to work occasional nights and weekends.
For the Senior Academic and Career Advisor: a bachelor’s degree and three years of documented related experience, or a master’s degree in education or an education-related field and one year of related experience. A master’s degree in education or an education-related field may substitute for two years of the experience requirement.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive individualized and small-group academic and career advising to students during the academic year, including peak registration, pre-registration, and new student orientation.
Use and recommend good practices for documenting advising services in University student records systems, including EAB Navigate and SPIRE.
Advise students on registration matters, general education requirements, major and college requirements, dual degrees, double majors, and minors.
Manage complex or problematic advising cases, including prior misadvising, unusual career goals, academic and career planning, conflicts between majors or concentrations, and evaluation of credit from study-abroad and other off-campus programs.
Support at-risk students experiencing academic or personal difficulties, address relevant issues, and make appropriate referrals to University resources.
Serve as a resource to faculty members regarding at-risk advising cases.
Facilitate program planning for the growth and development of the College of Education undergraduate population, fostering a cohort model and student belonging.
Participate in admissions, alumni weekend, orientation, and other University events as appropriate.
Represent the College of Education at University-wide meetings focused on developing student success resources and practices, as directed by the Associate Dean for Student Success.
Respond professionally and respectfully to challenging, time-sensitive, or high-stress parent inquiries in accordance with FERPA.
Perform complex graduation clearance processing for Education majors; approve curricular exceptions and resolve graduation clearance problems in accordance with established policies and practices.
Maintain current knowledge of undergraduate offerings, licensure requirement changes, and employment trends that may shape student decision-making.
Develop and/or maintain advising resources and systems related to one or more College academic pathways.
Train, guide, and supervise undergraduate student staff, including Peer Advisors.
Mentor less experienced Undergraduate Academic and Career Advisors on advising practices and complex advising challenges (Senior Academic and Career Advisor).
Maintain familiarity with degree-program changes and execute college curricular exceptions (Senior Academic and Career Advisor).
Understand responsibilities related to Title IX, FERPA, and other compliance requirements.
Work with College of Education colleagues and campus stakeholders to support Student Affairs and Campus Life and the Dean’s strategic priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the College of Education’s mission and goals.
Work occasional nights and weekends.