Academic Advisor I

Why join UMass Global?

Competitive compensation and benefits promote your health and well-being. UMass Globa embraces inclusion, promotes corporate responsibility, and applies sustainable practices on the job and in the office.

Exceptional Benefits

At the University of Massachusetts Global, we value the personal health and financial well-being of our employees. Our affordable and flexible benefits packages truly encompass our mission and values by giving our employees peace of mind to allow them to focus on their professional development and other important aspects in their lives. Our benefits include:

·         Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

·         Wellness Programs (Physical and Mental Health Challenges, Campus Events)

·         Robust and comprehensive Retirement Plan (Basic, Supplemental, Roth options)

·         Professional development through online learning and training tools

·         Service/Recognition awards

·         Paid time off

The nature of this position is to provide a limited but seamless opportunity to address short-term gaps in staffing or to augment existing staff to meet heavy work demands requiring strong communication and adaptability skills. The Interim Advising Specialist will draw upon their prior advising experience to provide immediate virtual academic advising support and short-term guidance to undergraduate and/or graduate students regarding program requirements and course scheduling questions at one or more assigned campuses based on existing need. In addition, the Interim Advising Specialist will utilize their prior advising experience to seek information and provide knowledgeable answers to student questions. Further, the incumbent will provide supporting documentation regarding all student interactions using their knowledge of university communication tools to make effective referrals to campus-based staff and the Director of Advising and Retention Services.

TYPE OF SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 

General supervision from the Director of Advising and Retention Services.  While incumbent will provide information and make decisions, incumbent will conduct business using reflected authority following established policies and procedures.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Essential functions:  100% of time

ACADEMIC ADVISING

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• Work with students to develop and update short and long-term plans to meet academic goals, while ensuring compliance to standards, policies and procedures.
• Prepare supporting documents for student advising files to inform full-time advising staff.
• Interpret and apply academic policies for student degree requirements and academic progress as needed.
• Utilize existing knowledge of university student information systems and communication tools to document student interactions.
• Demonstrate content knowledge regarding specific degree, credential and certificate programs.
• Demonstrate content expertise regarding current learning outcome model of academic advising as endorsed by the National Academic Advising Association.

RETENTION MANAGEMENT

• Provide assistance with campus-based efforts to contact continuing students regarding registration and education plan updates.

Non-Essential Functions of the Job:

• None identified at this time.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Special Conditions of Employment: 

Working conditions will be primarily virtual. Need to be able to work a minimum of 19 hours per week as determined by the Director of Advising and Retention Services. Applicants for this position are subject to a criminal history and credit review.

Previous Experience: 

Required: 

• Five (5) or more years working directly with adult learners in a higher education environment.
• Three (3) to-five (5) or more years’ experience providing academic advising to adult learners, preferably at UMass Global or another regionally accredited higher education institution.
• Experience in interpreting and applying academic policies for student degree requirements and academic progress.
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising theories and principles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of General Education and transfer requirements, with demonstrated ability to critically evaluate student records and transcripts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to explain academic policies and procedures to diverse constituents, including students, faculty and staff.
• Demonstrated understanding of curriculum for degree, credential and certificate programs.
• Working knowledge of student information systems as related to student records and advising, preferably of the Banner student information system.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations such as Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to student accommodation.
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize workload and provide counseling and advice to assigned students in a timely manner.
• Skill to work both independently and as a team member.
• Strong writing skills to prepare clear, concise and grammatically correct documents, reports and correspondence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with diverse constituents and to provide high quality support and customer service to students.
• Sensitivity to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy and maintain high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to abide by the ethical standards and guidelines for academic advising.
• Computer skills in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, electronic mail and internet applications, preferably of Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Technical skills to use online tools and administrative software.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Understanding and ability to apply the learning outcome model of academic advising as endorsed by the National Academic Advising Association

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of UMass Global’s mission, catalog, policies and procedures.

• Working knowledge of the application of adult learning principles and higher education policies.

Knowledge and Education:  Bachelor’s degree; Masters preferred

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices and Software:  

License(s) and Certificate(s): 

Contact with Students:  Frequent

Contact with Faculty and/or Staff:  Minimal

Contact with Community and Vendors: Never

Confidentiality:  Position has access to confidential and proprietary information including technical and business information; all information is considered “confidential information.”

Equal Employment Opportunity - University of Massachusetts Global is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form. UMass Global prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), disability (mental and physical), marital status, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin (including language use restrictions), race, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/ related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodation – UMass Global provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the recruitment department at [email protected] .