Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

General Summary of Position:

This is a professional academic advising position requiring an advanced, developmental, proactive problem-solving approach to advisement to ensure students succeed academically and are fully engaged in their educational experience.  This position will be part of a centrally coordinated campus-wide advising team and will be housed within an academic college. The primary responsibilities include advising a caseload of first-time freshman and transfer students on program requirements and registration issues, degree planning, monitoring student progress, and identify and intervening with at-risk students.  The position also involves assisting with the creation, implementation, and support of various activities and events promoting student engagement and community building.  Participation in recruitment, outreach and orientation activities is also required.

Essential Job Duties:

1. General Academic Advising (45%):

• General academic advising for a college-based caseload of approximately 300 first time undergraduate students on program and general education requirements; registration matters; departmental, college, and university policies and procedures; academic success strategies; financial literacy; graduation requirements; and career options.
• Comprehensive advising includes evaluating student needs and assisting them in developing appropriate educational plans that include individualized 4-year graduation plans and revisions as necessary.
• Refer students to appropriate resources for assistance in overcoming learning obstacles, scholarships, job opportunities, intensive assistance with career decisions, or other essential support services.
• Monitor early warning grades, degree benchmark completion, and general student progress as well as participation in advising and mentoring activities.
• Collaborate with the Solution Center, Career Services, Registrar, Admissions, and other campus offices to resolve barriers to success and ensure students receive timely information, support and guidance.

2. Special Advising for At-Risk Student Populations (20%):

• Manage, advise and provide added outreach for students on academic warning, probation, and at-risk students requiring multiple contacts throughout the semester
• Based on individual student needs, implement interventions to assist students in identifying, evaluating, and developing targeted action plans for dealing with academic challenges.
• Collaborate on student retention initiatives, develop and deliver academic success skills workshops, and organize and lead student support groups related to retention and academic success.

3.Student Engagement and Community Building (15%):

• Assist with planning and implementation of social events and initiatives to help build a stronger sense of community and promote healthy, productive relationships among students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
• Support student clubs and organizations in the college to which advising caseload is assigned and assist with event planning and other activities as needed.
• Assist with the development and execution of a student communication strategy, including regular newsletter, listserv, web-based communication materials, and effective on-boarding materials related to co-curricular and student services for incoming students.
• Identify and execute opportunities to provide professional development and other programs/events for students to enhance the student experience.

4. Administrative, Logistical, and Assessment (10%):

• Assist with evaluation of advising and administrative processes and information to ensure continuous improvement of student services as a member of a campus wide professional advising team.
• Handle creation and maintenance of various databases as well as assisting with report preparation.
• Retrieve and prepare data for analysis on key metrics including retention, graduation rates, time to graduation, student satisfaction, etc.
• Assist with the collection and analysis of College and program data for comprehensive enrollment management, projections, learning outcomes, and accreditation.
• Attends relevant College and University meetings and serves on committees related to advising processes and program development.

5. Outreach, Recruitment, and Special Projects (10%):

• Assist with planning and support for regular college events/activities such as commencement, recruitment, and college orientations.
• Assist with recruiting high school and community college students, which may include helping with the development of promotional materials and strategies to identify prospective students as well as outreach to these students.
• Work on special projects for the benefit of the undergraduate programs.

Minimum Qualifications (Required) for P15 Academic Advisor:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in College Student Personnel/Higher Education Administration/ Counseling/ Psychology or related field PLUS

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of full-time (or equivalent) experience working with college students at the undergraduate level
• Also, must possess excellent written and oral communication skills

**Will consider candidates with 5+ years of significant experience advising students in other related educational settings.

Technical Skills: 

• Extensive experience with Microsoft Word and Excel

Minimum Qualifications (Required) for P16 Advising Coordinator:

Education:

• A Master's degree in College Student Personnel/ Higher Education Administration/ Counseling/ Psychology or related field is strongly preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years academic advising experience in a developmental setting
• Experience is preferred with implementation of solutions to facilitate student academic retention, success, and graduation
• General knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends in the area of advising, student services, and individual counseling techniques
• Experience with event and program planning is a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong skills with computer-based applications and internet resources
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and especially PeopleSoft Software (SiS) preferred

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

This is an SEIU Professional Union position, Grade P15 OR P16.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.  

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.