Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

 

Job Summary

The Senior/Academic Advisor works collaboratively with program administrators and staff to support a comprehensive academic advising program serving the 750+ undergraduate students enrolled in the Public Health Sciences (PHS) major. The Senior/Academic Advisor is responsible for administering advising programs, implementing advising policies, assisting faculty with advising, supervising Peer Advisors, problem solving to respond to student needs, and working with SPHHS advising staff. The Senior/Academic Advisor provides advising services to undergraduate students regarding academic regulations and policies, fulfillment of major and University requirements, resolution of academic challenges, and preparation for diverse career paths within the field of public health.

This position may be filled as either an Academic Advisor or Senior Academic Advisor and candidates will be placed into the position for which they are most qualified.

 

Job Functions

Academic Advisor & Senior Academic Advisor

• Maintain proficiency in all essential advising functions, with ability to administer all essential functions. Essential functions include graduation clearances, major declaration, focus area approval, course waitlist administration, credit overload approval, course enrollment management, and advising for students enrolled in special programs, including the 4+1 master’s programs and term abroad programs. 
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of the functions and tasks fulfilled by all members of the PHS advising team, and provide short-term coverage for other team members’ responsibilities on an as-needed basis.
• Exercise independent authority in signing forms, approving and processing courses for public health major requirements, placing and removing academic holds, enrollment overrides, and authorizing course transfer exceptions.
• Maintain systems and administrative aspects of the PHS Program, including processing incoming majors, managing and maintaining student databases, and other tasks as needed.
• Attend campus-wide meetings to keep up to date with various policy/procedural changes relevant to advising. Ensure that the PHS program adheres to campus-wide initiatives related to student services and advising.
• Provide comprehensive, responsive advising to a diverse population of students during the academic year, including new student & transfer orientation/registration periods and current student registration periods.
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Senior Academic Advisor

• Work collaboratively with PHS Program Director to address advising-related issues, including challenges, changes, initiatives, and goals. Provide responsive and timely input, feedback, and assistance in support of the roles and responsibilities fulfilled by the PHS Program Director. 
• Monitor the effectiveness of advising policies and procedures and recommend and implement revisions and changes as necessary. Establish and prioritize short- and long- term goals to enhance advising effectiveness, and to improve communication between advising staff and other University offices.
• Design and oversee the PHS Peer Advisor program.
• Train and supervise a new cohort of 10-14 student Peer Advisors each year, including recruitment, weekly training classes, and performance evaluation. Ensure Peer Advisors are delivering accurate, up-to-date information related to academic policies, program and graduation requirements, and University resources, and are adhering to best practices for advising.
• Monitor and supervise Peer Advisors to ensure student access to advising resources. Adjust Peer Advisor staffing during peak periods.

Academic Advisor

• Work collaboratively with PHS Program Director and advising staff to support program administration.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Academic Advisor to support the PHS Peer Advisor program, including recruitment, weekly training classes, and performance evaluation.