PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Academic Advisor

Division:Advising and Academic Resources

Department: Advising

Location:Primary location in Gorham, Portland, or Lewiston with frequent rotation to any/all three locations

Schedule:Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week, morning/evening/weekend hours as needed on a regular basisto serve the needs of the graduate and undergraduate student population

Reports to:Advising Coordinator, Advising, Gorham Campus

STATEMENT OF THE JOB: This position is responsible for providing direct enrollment advising service to prospective, transfer, certificate, non-matriculatedSchool of Education and Human Development undergraduate and graduate students including but not limited to transcript analysis, GPA content calculation, assistance with application and supporting materials at the graduate level, content course advisement, tracking, and follow-up. This position is also responsible for being an advising resource to matriculated, certificate,and non-matriculated graduate students, assisting students with learning strategy support, graduation planning, monitoring student progress toward degree, and providing appropriate referrals to graduate student faculty advising and other resources. The Academic Advisor attends open houses, facilitates ETEP and Education Pathways information sessions, and revises the ETEP Application Guide. A primary purpose of this position is to enhance the student experience and contribute to improved yield, retention and graduation rates for USM students. The person in this position serves as a resource for all graduate students. The Academic Advisoremploys a strengths-based advising approach grounded in student development theory and works in partnership with faculty advisors/mentors to ensure the student is supported in all aspects critical to the student’s success, including services related to transcript analysis, pre-admission, orientation, registration, degree planning, career exploration, certifications, and licensures. The Academic Advisorwill support students on all three USM campuses (Portland, Gorham, Lewiston).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Facilitates information sessions regarding teacher education options and programs to both prospective and current students.
  • Acts as Education and Human Development representative at institutional functions such as adult student recruitment activities, open houses, on and off-campus tabling outreach, ETEP information sessions, etc.
  • Advises prospective, new, current, and transfer students on programs, career exploration, certifications and licensures.
  • Works with Transfer Affairs to appropriately re-code undergraduate courses.
  • Provides content area transcript analysis and GPA calculations for prospective, transfer, and current students in teacher education.
  • Assists ETEP and transfer applicants with application and materials needed (Praxis, catalog of experiences, essay, etc.)
  • Advises ETEP and transfer applicants with content course needs.
  • Tracks and follows-up with ETEP students on the fulfillment of content areas needed for certification.
  • Tracks and follows-up with conditionally admitted ETEP students.
  • Advises students who want to change education programs in collaboration with Admissions and Director of Academic Administration.
  • Advises certificate students.
  • Facilitates the advising hand-off to the Undergraduate Education Pathway Academic Advisor for students pursuing the undergraduate education pathways.
  • Acts as an advising resource to all SEHD graduate students.
  • Revises ETEP Application Guide to reflect changes and updates from the program and the Maine Department of Education policies, procedures, and requirements.
  • Proactively reaches out to all prospective, transfer, certificate, and non-matriculated education and assigned students to ensure they are engaged and supported by USM. Includes proactive communications in a variety of modalities.
  • Responsible for providing comprehensive academic and early career planning services for students from the point of pre-admission through graduation. Such activities include engaging students in developing an initial graduation plan, academic and early career planning assessments, interpreting those assessments and assisting students in the development of an educational plan that addresses their interests, skills, and abilities.
  • Responsible for being knowledgeable and current regarding all programs and academic policies at USM, provides students with information about USM, and serves as an advocate/navigator for prospective, matriculated, and non-degree students, and may facilitate interactions between various USM offices on their behalf, as necessary.
  • Responsible for being knowledgeable of retention program best practices and performs various outreach tasks and activities with all students, with emphasis given to high-risk students, to increase their retention and success in college.
  • Facilitates collaboration with other university departments to serve students in a holistic and comprehensive manner. (S)he works with other members of the Advising unit to propose and advocate for changes to academic policies and procedures related to students and programs.
  • At the undergraduate level advocates for and assists in the implementation of student academic service, including the administration of university and college academic policies, resolution of student academic problems, grade appeals, change of major requests, course and University withdrawals and new student orientation. Works with the CMHS Director of Academic Administration at the graduate level.
  • Acts as the Advising liaison to all SEHD programs. Assists with problem-solving, collaboration, information-sharing and increased communication.
  • Facilitates professional development opportunities focused on graduate student and education and human development advising for professional advisors.
  • Coordinates closely with other members of Advising and Academic Resources, Admission, Transfer Affairs, Enrollment Advisors and Faculty Advisors, Graduate Studies, and the CMHS Director of Academic Administration to ensure the students are provided comprehensive and well-coordinated advising across both administrative and academic areas. Work to identify and deliver strategies for individual students and for all students to enhance the student experience and contribute to improved retention and graduation rates for CEHD, assigned students, and all students at USM.
  • As a member of the Advising team, contributes to the continuous improvement and implementation of comprehensive student services.
  • Responsible for being familiar with college level advising, learning support needs, and early career development. Responsible for participation in cross-training and other professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skills related to academic advising, learning strategies, and early career development (i.e. Global Career Development Facilitator, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, StrengthsQuest, Strong, etc.)
  • Coordinate and facilitate outreach activities in the areas of learning strategies, academic advising, and early career planning.
  • Involvement in Advising unit activities such as peer advising, assessment, and academic actions. Participate in Advising unit and campus events such as Open Houses, Accepted Student Days, Orientation, Job/Career Fairs, tabling, resident hall programs, and campus-wide programs, etc.
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Director of Advising and Academic Resources.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:Students and temporary employees, as needed

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES:None

PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:Participates in professional organizations and associations, conferences and workshops as appropriate. Serves, as appropriate, on University committees and participates in professional development activities.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

Internal:All faculty and staff dedicated to advising students including academic advisors, faculty advisors, directors of academic administration,enrollment counselors, deans, academic program directors, etc.; Managers and staff in Admission,Graduate Studies, Transfer Affairs, CTEL, Athletics, Disability Services Center, Engaged Learning and Career Development, Student Financial Services, Learning Assistance/Learning Commons, Orientation, Professional and Continuing Education, Registrar, Campus Life, Strengths@USM; Maintains collaborative relationship with Academic departments and works closely with all levels of faculty, professional, and classified staff.

External:Maintains contact, as appropriate to assist students, with administrators, faculty and staff from within the University of Maine System, from other institutions in the State of Maine, and members of the greater metropolitan community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Ability to work closely and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities.
  • Ability to work within a team oriented structure.
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment, makingeffectivedecisionsquicklyandresolutely.
  • Knowledgeofmanagementandleadershipskillsincludingplanning,prioritizing, implementingandassessingandevaluating.
  • Possession of strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to learn new information quickly and easily.
  • Ability to manage multiple expectations with attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
  • Possession of research skills.
  • Effective interpersonal skills in a variety of environments and situations.
  • Comprehensive,accurate,andeffectivewritingandverbalcommunicationskills.
  • Demonstrated skill in group dynamics.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with students, administrators, faculty, and members of the community.
  • Knowledge of retention strategies and student development theory.
  • Demonstrated ability to summarize and analyze data to further mission and goals.
  • Ability to use technology effectively.
  • Knowledge and experience in maintaining a safe working/learning environment.
  • Ability to tolerate a fast-paced sometimes high stress environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

  • Baccalaureatedegree.
  • Minimumof3-5 yearsofrelated experiencewith a minimum of one year experience working with admission and/or advising students in an academic and/or career advising environment.

Preferred:

  • Master's Degree or progress toward a Master’s degree with expectation of completion within one year.
  • Experienceworking with graduate students atan institutionofhighereducation.
  • Demonstratedexperience in admission, advising, planning,management,andnegotiation withexcellentwrittenandoralcommunicationskills.

*NOTE: All individuals who are recommended to fill and subsequently offered a position with special essential responsibilities as listed above, or other licensure or certification, shall have the following additional applicable background screening completed (in addition to regular and standard background screening) based on the responsibilities of the position: Credit history screening, and/or Sex offender registry screening, and/or Federal criminal history screening and/or License/certification verification.

Date Approved:09/2015

Date Revised:

Job Family:18

Salary Band:103

Unit:UMPSA

CUPA code:401130

Employee:TBD

Position #:00022944