Academic Advisor - Engineering - Undergraduate Student Services

Position Summary
This positon provides comprehensive academic advising to undergraduate students in the McKelvey School of Engineering, with the purpose to guide students from first year through graduation. This position will also engage in specialized pre-health advising, advice and assist WashU students seeking to transfer into McKelvey or out of McKelvey, coordinate mentoring programs and special events such as Parent and Family weekend, that significantly impact the mission of the McKelvey School of Engineering.
McKelvey has approximately 1,700 students earning undergraduate engineering degrees. Engineering undergraduate academic affairs is housed within Engineering Undergraduate Student Services (EUSS) and includes these functional areas: four-year advising; student onboarding (e.g., orientation); first-year experiences; student degree progress tracking; academic success and support initiatives; special attention focused on affinity populations; admissions related activities, presentations, and events to attract and yield first-year, transfer, and dual degree students; support engineering student groups, provide leadership training, and coordination across groups; mentoring experiences with alums and industry representatives; special events (e.g., award ceremonies, commencement recognition ceremonies); academic policies and administration; student record maintenance; transfer credit; degree clearance; data reporting; accreditation support activities; publications; coordination with multiple entities across the university; community outreach activities; and post-graduate and pre-professional planning. EUSS impacts student enrollments, retention, and their attitudes of being supported by the university. EUSS also impacts the school by assisting faculty and departmental admin staff, leaving more time for faculty to focus on research and teaching.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Serves as a four-year academic advisor for approximately 45 undergraduate students in each class (180 advisees).

• Provides academic advising to support student retention and graduation initiatives.
• Interprets and explains university policies, procedures, and curriculum to students, faculty, staff, and administration.
• Identifies and helps resolve obstacles impeding the academic success of students.
• Analyzes students’ academic and personal issues or concerns and provide referral or intervention services.
• Supports students in developing a required academic plan to meet graduation requirements.
• Coordinates mentoring or specific programming for students within various academic programs.
• Guides students through school level and university level administrative processes.
• Liaises with departments and programs to ensure a holistic student academic experience.
• Works with campus partners to ensure holistic support and tracking of student progress.
• Maintains appropriate student records and documents student interactions.

Pre-Health Advising

• Advises pre-medicine students by providing information and programming as they prepare for the medical school application process. Serves on the campus Pre-health Committee and Engineering Pre-medicine Committee. Meets regularly with student pursuing a career in medicine. Conducts mock interviews with all pre-medicine students applying during the current cycle. Implements several presentations and programs throughout the year, including the MMI Practice sessions.

Interdivision Transfer (IDT)/Retention Tracking

• Meets with engineering students who desire to switch to other divisions on campus, and also meet with students from other divisions on campus who desire to switch into engineering. Reviews academic goals, helps determine course schedule and feasibility of timeline. Conducts exit interviews for those leaving engineering and maintain records as to reasons for leaving and identify trends (retention tracking); communicates trends identified in an effort to improve long-term retention in McKelvey.

Mentoring Programs

• Assists in connecting McKelvey students with mentoring programs. This will include connecting new incoming students with current students, and connecting current students with alums and industry contacts. Liaisons with offices on campus and off campus entities. Helps recruit, identify, recommend and select students for mentoring opportunities. Provides training programs for selected students. Attends related meetings and formal functions both on campus and off campus.

Parent and Family Weekend

• Serves as the primary McKelvey representative for this university-wide annual event. Attends planning meetings that will include representatives from all undergraduate schools on campus. Engages McKelvey offices, departments and students in planning and implementing both campus-wide and McKelvey-specific events. Reserves spaces on campus to hold events. Plans for refreshments to be served at events.   

Progress Counseling

• Serves as a one-on-one academic progress counselor for engineering undergraduate students experiencing academic difficulty. Helps coordinate programs and initiatives for undergraduate students who were not afforded adequate resources in high school. Assists in supplying the academic foundation necessary for said students to maximize success in an engineering curriculum. Works closely with faculty, staff and advisors regarding the retention, and student success plans. 

Admissions

• Assists with admissions efforts related to undergraduate recruitment. 
• Prospective First-Year students: Helps recruit new first-year students by giving general engineering information sessions and meeting one-on-one with visiting families.
• Prospective Dual Degree students: Helps recruit dual degree students by visiting key affiliated liberal arts schools throughout the US (one to three weeks each year). Advises dual degree engineering students regarding admission requirements, financial assistance, housing, and orientation programs.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Workstation in office setting.
• Must be able to move to various campus locations, set up tables and materials, and lift boxes of program supplies.
• Work is primarily accomplished on site in secondary schools, as well as other community locations.
• Ability to travel between schools and locations in the community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience advising students in an educational or academic setting.
• Knowledge of curricula and of concepts, practices, and procedures related to undergraduate education.
• A strong commitment to cultivating relationships with students in the context of a learning environment and to delivering excellent student academic affairs.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal. Audiences should include students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
• Sound judgement and high level of maturity, including ability to handle confidential information responsibly in sensitive situations involving students.
• Ability to project genuineness and warmth as a service-oriented communicator.
• Ability to thrive in a position that requires independent judgement and to step in as a reliable team member on various collaborative projects as needed.
• Ability to anticipate student needs and act to address them.
• High degree of self-motivation, organization, accuracy, and productivity with an ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and follow-through on projects in a timely manner with varying degrees of pressure.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and three years of related work experience or a Master's degree and one year of related experience.

Grade
G10

Salary Range
$45,800.00 - $75,900.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two “Quick Apply” options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.

Scheduled Hours
37.5

Position Summary
This positon provides comprehensive academic advising to undergraduate students in the McKelvey School of Engineering, with the purpose to guide students from first year through graduation. This position will also engage in specialized pre-health advising, advice and assist WashU students seeking to transfer into McKelvey or out of McKelvey, coordinate mentoring programs and special events such as Parent and Family weekend, that significantly impact the mission of the McKelvey School of Engineering.
McKelvey has approximately 1,700 students earning undergraduate engineering degrees. Engineering undergraduate academic affairs is housed within Engineering Undergraduate Student Services (EUSS) and includes these functional areas: four-year advising; student onboarding (e.g., orientation); first-year experiences; student degree progress tracking; academic success and support initiatives; special attention focused on affinity populations; admissions related activities, presentations, and events to attract and yield first-year, transfer, and dual degree students; support engineering student groups, provide leadership training, and coordination across groups; mentoring experiences with alums and industry representatives; special events (e.g., award ceremonies, commencement recognition ceremonies); academic policies and administration; student record maintenance; transfer credit; degree clearance; data reporting; accreditation support activities; publications; coordination with multiple entities across the university; community outreach activities; and post-graduate and pre-professional planning. EUSS impacts student enrollments, retention, and their attitudes of being supported by the university. EUSS also impacts the school by assisting faculty and departmental admin staff, leaving more time for faculty to focus on research and teaching.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Serves as a four-year academic advisor for approximately 45 undergraduate students in each class (180 advisees).

• Provides academic advising to support student retention and graduation initiatives.
• Interprets and explains university policies, procedures, and curriculum to students, faculty, staff, and administration.
• Identifies and helps resolve obstacles impeding the academic success of students.
• Analyzes students’ academic and personal issues or concerns and provide referral or intervention services.
• Supports students in developing a required academic plan to meet graduation requirements.
• Coordinates mentoring or specific programming for students within various academic programs.
• Guides students through school level and university level administrative processes.
• Liaises with departments and programs to ensure a holistic student academic experience.
• Works with campus partners to ensure holistic support and tracking of student progress.
• Maintains appropriate student records and documents student interactions.

Pre-Health Advising

• Advises pre-medicine students by providing information and programming as they prepare for the medical school application process. Serves on the campus Pre-health Committee and Engineering Pre-medicine Committee. Meets regularly with student pursuing a career in medicine. Conducts mock interviews with all pre-medicine students applying during the current cycle. Implements several presentations and programs throughout the year, including the MMI Practice sessions.

Interdivision Transfer (IDT)/Retention Tracking

• Meets with engineering students who desire to switch to other divisions on campus, and also meet with students from other divisions on campus who desire to switch into engineering. Reviews academic goals, helps determine course schedule and feasibility of timeline. Conducts exit interviews for those leaving engineering and maintain records as to reasons for leaving and identify trends (retention tracking); communicates trends identified in an effort to improve long-term retention in McKelvey.

Mentoring Programs

• Assists in connecting McKelvey students with mentoring programs. This will include connecting new incoming students with current students, and connecting current students with alums and industry contacts. Liaisons with offices on campus and off campus entities. Helps recruit, identify, recommend and select students for mentoring opportunities. Provides training programs for selected students. Attends related meetings and formal functions both on campus and off campus.

Parent and Family Weekend

• Serves as the primary McKelvey representative for this university-wide annual event. Attends planning meetings that will include representatives from all undergraduate schools on campus. Engages McKelvey offices, departments and students in planning and implementing both campus-wide and McKelvey-specific events. Reserves spaces on campus to hold events. Plans for refreshments to be served at events.   

Progress Counseling

• Serves as a one-on-one academic progress counselor for engineering undergraduate students experiencing academic difficulty. Helps coordinate programs and initiatives for undergraduate students who were not afforded adequate resources in high school. Assists in supplying the academic foundation necessary for said students to maximize success in an engineering curriculum. Works closely with faculty, staff and advisors regarding the retention, and student success plans. 

Admissions

• Assists with admissions efforts related to undergraduate recruitment. 
• Prospective First-Year students: Helps recruit new first-year students by giving general engineering information sessions and meeting one-on-one with visiting families.
• Prospective Dual Degree students: Helps recruit dual degree students by visiting key affiliated liberal arts schools throughout the US (one to three weeks each year). Advises dual degree engineering students regarding admission requirements, financial assistance, housing, and orientation programs.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Workstation in office setting.
• Must be able to move to various campus locations, set up tables and materials, and lift boxes of program supplies.
• Work is primarily accomplished on site in secondary schools, as well as other community locations.
• Ability to travel between schools and locations in the community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience advising students in an educational or academic setting.
• Knowledge of curricula and of concepts, practices, and procedures related to undergraduate education.
• A strong commitment to cultivating relationships with students in the context of a learning environment and to delivering excellent student academic affairs.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal. Audiences should include students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
• Sound judgement and high level of maturity, including ability to handle confidential information responsibly in sensitive situations involving students.
• Ability to project genuineness and warmth as a service-oriented communicator.
• Ability to thrive in a position that requires independent judgement and to step in as a reliable team member on various collaborative projects as needed.
• Ability to anticipate student needs and act to address them.
• High degree of self-motivation, organization, accuracy, and productivity with an ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and follow-through on projects in a timely manner with varying degrees of pressure.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and three years of related work experience or a Master's degree and one year of related experience.

Grade
G10

Salary Range
$45,800.00 - $75,900.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two “Quick Apply” options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.