University of Massachusetts Amherst Hiring for Academic Advisor / Senior Academic Advisor at UMass Amherst Full Time

Job no: 523154
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Dean – Pub Health & Health Sci
Union: PSU
Categories: Academic Advising & Learning Resources, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, PSU A

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. The College of Natural Sciences is the largest academic unit on the UMass Amherst campus, includes 14 departments and two schools, serves over 7,000 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students, and has a presence in 18 buildings on Campus.

Job Summary

The Kinesiology Department is seeking to fill one advisor vacancy to assist in providing oversight for a comprehensive academic advising program for 650+ undergraduate students. This 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.

The position is responsible for administering and developing the Kinesiology advising programs, implementing advising policies in coordination with the Director of Academic Programs and Advising, assisting faculty with advising, and problem-solving to respond to student needs. The Advisor collaborates with other advisors and faculty in the four disciplines within Kinesiology (Movement Neuroscience, Biomechanics, Physical Activity and Health, and Physiology), and assists with enrollment management. This includes coordination with other departments on campus and implementation of the Continuation Policy.

Essential Functions

Academic Advisor

• Provides entry-level, 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 inquiries from parents or caregivers in accordance with FERPA and in a highly-professional and respectful manner/tone.
• Assists with preparing applications to graduate programs in the health professions. This includes maintaining access to relevant advisor portals, writing letters of evaluation, assisting students with personal statements, and coaching on interview preparation.

Senior Academic Advisor

• 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 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. This includes being familiar with changes in multiple degree programs and determining any curricular exceptions, maintaining access to relevant advisor portals, writing letters of evaluation, assisting students with personal statements, and coaching on interview preparation.
• May assist in training new professional and graduate student advisors and/or undergraduate peer advisors by providing them with knowledge of the most current requirements in Kinesiology.

Academic Advisor & Senior Academic Advisor

• Promptly and accurately communicate with students (current, incoming, potential, and transfer).
• Maintain records of confidential advising sessions regarding academic progress to ensure advising continuity and to facilitate graduation clearance. Support faculty in internships and non-traditional academic experiences.
• Collaborate and develop relationships with students, faculty, staff, and various offices on campus including School Advising Staff, Undergraduate Registrar, New Student Orientation, Disability Services, Mental Health, Campus Career Services, and Student Athlete Academic Services.
• Manages the activities and services of the Kinesiology Department, including but not limited to preparing relevant workshops, participating in recruitment activities, writing/editing content for monthly newsletter/announcements and arranging/facilitating admissions visits from various graduate health professions programs.
• Utilizes data analytics and student success initiatives to inform advising practices.
• Attends local and regional meetings for Kinesiology professions advisors with the goal of utilizing best practices in the field.
• Updates, edits, and develops content for the Kinesiology webpages.
• Communicates with advisors from relevant major departments outside of SPHHS to share information and stay current with significant changes.

Other Functions

• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the Department of Kinesiology

 Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Academic Advisor

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or related field.
• Be proficient in the use of word processing, spreadsheets, and database management programs.
• Ability to forge meaningful collaborations to identify and achieve shared goals.
• Possess the ability to work within a large, culturally diverse workforce of faculty, staff, students, and other important constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities in a fast-paced office catering to a high volume of undergraduate students and alumni.
• Possess the ability to remain up to date with a high volume of diverse and complex curricular requirements, academic policies and procedures, and admissions criteria.

Senior Academic Advisor

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of professional experience in advising, student development, counseling or related experience; OR Master’s degree in Social Sciences or related field.
• Experience working with students from a range of academic abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with experience advising students from a range of educational, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities in a fast-paced office catering to a high volume of undergraduate students and alumni.
• Possess the ability to remain up to date with a high volume of diverse and complex curricular requirements, academic policies and procedures, and admissions criteria.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Knowledge of the needs of students coming from academically disadvantaged backgrounds and familiarity with local, regional and national resources for academically disadvantaged students.
• Experience in advising and supporting students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions.   
• Able to successfully interact with a student body representing a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Familiarity with University student advising data platforms.
• Background in University academic policies.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (37.5 hours per week).
• May be required to work some evenings and weekends.

Salary Information

Academic Advisor: Level 25

Senior Academic Advisor: Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

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 pregnancy-related 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.

Advertised: Apr 22 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jul 28 2024 Eastern Daylight Time