Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant 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 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and 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

Multiple positions open. Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Dean of Academic Advising and Student Success, the Academic Advisor (entry level)/Senior Academic Advisor(comprehensive) position provides advising to students in the College of Engineering’s (COE) various majors, double majors, dual degrees, minors, exploratory tracks and graduate programs. 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 first-year, transfer, and at-risk students and uses computer-based 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 fast-paced work environment.

 

Essential Functions

• Provides comprehensive, 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 registration-related 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 complex matters that involve goal setting, self-assessment and time management skills, planning and decision-making such as establishing an academic plan, choosing a major within and outside of COE, selecting courses, and evaluating courses for study-abroad experiences. Conducts one-on-one advising sessions for students with declared majors and/or exploratory-track students who will work toward identification and declaration of a major.
• Responds to at-risk students experiencing academic and often critical personal difficulties. Addresses relevant issues and makes appropriate referrals to University agencies.
• Advises a diverse incoming (first-year and transfer) population in a fast-paced, high-volume, individual advising format during New Student Orientation before the start of each semester. 
• Responds to and manages inquiries from parents and caregivers in accordance with FERPA and in a highly-professional and respectful manner/tone.
• Responsible for complex graduation clearance processing, being familiar with changes in the multiple degree programs and determining any curricular exceptions.
• Regularly holds information sessions for current students, as well as for prospective students and students in other majors wanting to transfer into COE. 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.
• Provides administrative support for the department including design, administration and analysis of surveys and reports, course and classroom scheduling, and maintenance of the academic program website.
• Executes special projects including ABET accreditation preparation and develops resources as needed to support the mission of the department, and the College.

Senior Academic Advisor Additional Essential Functions

• Manages and identifies more complex and comprehensive issues overall.
• Identifies at-risk students experiencing academic and often critical personal difficulties.
• May assist in training new professional and graduate student advisors and/or undergraduate peer advisors by providing them with and helping them understand the most current information about requirements in COE and other majors of prospective COE students.
• Teaches seminars or workshops which add