• Job Description

  Req#: 524445

  General Summary:

  Working in close collaboration with the Director of CLA First!, and program staff, the Academic Advisor is responsible for creating and enhancing programs and interventions focused on student learning and retention and supporting students in attaining their educational and career goals. The incumbent will be responsible for serving as an academic advisor, providing individual and group advising to students within the College of Liberal Arts learning communities. The incumbent will support students through proactive academic advising, explaining, and interpreting degree requirements, policies, and procedures and serving as an advocate for students.

  Examples of Duties:

  • Provide holistic academic advising to a caseload of students in the CLA First! success community, supporting students from their orientation through graduation.
  • Create, plan, and deliver student-centered programming, including regular (weekly; biweekly) workshops focused on creating community and supporting students as they navigate the University
  • Build rapport with students and helps connect students to academic and support resources as well as co-curricular opportunities at the University.
  • Assist students in person, via phone, via virtual platforms (email, Zoom): on a drop-in basis as well as through scheduled appointments.
  • Deliver 1:1 and small group coaching to newly enrolled students, through their transition to UMass Boston.
  • Utilize University systems including Advising Case Management (ACM), degree audit, and WISER to manage and monitor advising caseload as well as keep up-to-date advising notes.
  • Support Peer Mentor program, including but not limited to providing training and guidance to student employees:
  • Present at Orientation (including Advising and Registration workshops), information sessions, Welcome Days, and Open House.
  • Provide support to faculty advisors, including but not limited to serving as a resource for questions, assistance with resolving issues, and researching possible resolutions to student concerns.
  • Work collaboratively with advising offices and related programs across campus; including active participation in the Advising Collaborative group.
  • Represent the department on university committees.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

  Qualifications:

  Master's Degree and a minimum of two (2) years of experience working in higher education, directly with students newly transitioning to college in learning communities and/or first-year experience programs required. Direct experience working with and advising students is required. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

  Preferred Qualifications: Experience speaking and writing in one or more languages other than English, preferred.

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of current student development theory and research.
  • Strong commitment to student success, equity and access.
  • Strong commitment to university and student service.
  • Proven ability to work with diverse populations.
  • Knowledge of issues facing college students, including first-generation, low-income, undocumented/DACA students.
  • Ability to effectively and efficiently work in a team capacity to accomplish departmental and program goals.
  • Ability to work independently and efficiently.
  • Knowledge of software applications, including office software and database management.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks.
  • Demonstrated organizational ability and attention to detail.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.

  Application Instructions:

  Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

  Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

  Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

  Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

  Grade: 30

  Salary Ranges

  This is an exempt union position.

  All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

  UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

• About the company

  The oceanfront campus is minutes from downtown Boston and nationally recognized as a student-centered urban public research university.

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