Academic Advisor

General Summary: 

Provides academic advising for 180-250 program participants on a yearly basis.  Assists in all registration and orientation activities.  Advocates for the unique needs of first-generation, low-income college students and students with disabilities, with all constituencies of the University.

Examples of Duties: 

• Provides individual academic advising and group workshops for program participants to include:
  • Preparation and scheduling of individual academic programs,
  • Review and analysis of advisees’ degree audits to ensure academic progress,
  • Counseling and advocacy for students experiencing academic or personal difficulties.

• Documents all services provided to advisees and maintains student files to ensure appropriate and adequate documentation of services in compliance with federal regulations.  Updates student data base to reflect these activities, ensuring accurate records in both electronic and hard copy formats and provides information for advising reports.  
• Assists undecided students in selecting potential majors.
• Regularly attends meetings pertaining to changes in academic policy and programs that impact student advising,
• Analyzes policy changes to determine impact on first-generation, low-income college students and student with disabilities, and develops strategies designed to assist students.
• Makes referrals to specific SSS activities and to other support services of the University, and conducts follow-up as necessary. 
• Refers students to community and other agencies for services when appropriate, and conducts follow-up as necessary. 
• Writes letters of reference and recommendation for students as appropriate to facilitate student goals; i.e. scholarships, educational programs, vocational rehabilitation, etc.
• Actively outreaches to advisees to educate them about academic and financial opportunities.
• Assists in development and assessment of standardized curriculum for Foundations: Learning Strategies and Resources
• Teaches a minimum of two sections of Foundations: Learning Strategies and Resources including selection and preparation of student materials, facilitating identification with Student Support Services, following up on absent students.
• Participates in the design and activities of orientation.  
• Assists in preparation of reports and proposals.  
• Participates in all general program activities.  
• Interacts with other members of the University Community via committee or community work to promote the SSS program
• Where applicable provides consultation to department and other University entities on racial, cultural and/or linguistic issues which may impact student achievement.
• Where applicable, provides consultation on effective retention policies and strategies.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Services, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred. 
• Formal training in educational theory, advocacy, curriculum development, career development, counseling techniques, crisis management, and academic advising.
• 3-5 years experience in an educational setting involving counseling and/or academic advising.   
• Experience in working with students similar to the participants, preferred
• Demonstrated ability to interact with University administrative offices to identify and resolve difficulties for individual students.   
• Demonstrated understanding of the nature of academic advising within a developmental learning program.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve issues for individual students, and identify the support services necessary for resolution of problems.  
• Spanish or Vietnamese bilingual, preferred.

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 requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons. Regardless of vaccination status, you must wear a face covering in public indoor spaces on campus.