About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Senior Academic Advisor provides comprehensive advising for the College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) majors, exploratory track students, and interdisciplinary students from across campus pursuing the CS minor. Works closely with other advising personnel as well as academic and career services personnel to ensure high quality advising and academic services for all students. May teach one-credit seminars. Uses registration and academic records software. Responsive to the needs of a large number of highly diverse students and works in a high volume and fast-paced work environment.
Essential Functions
- Provides comprehensive, individualized advising to a diverse population of students during the academic year, including during peak registration periods. Responds to straight-forward questions on registration-related matters such as fulfilling University general education requirements and interpreting major, minor, or college requirements. Assists students with complex matters that involve goal setting and planning, including establishing an academic plan, choosing a major, and selecting courses with particular emphasis on integrating CICS major requirements with students' other interests. Responds to at-risk students experiencing academic difficulties by addressing relevant issues and making appropriate referrals to University agencies. Communicates and collaborates with other units on campus such as Residential Life, athletic support services, ALANA, and disability services. Maintains consistent documentation on all advising interactions.
- Assists with the planning, implementation, and development of innovative programs designed to enhance the retention and academic progress of CICS majors, minors, and exploratory track students (such as the majors fair, newsletters, and workshops). Responsible for special projects to support the missions of the College and the CICS advising center.
- Advises a diverse incoming (first-year and transfer) population in a fast-paced, high volume small group advising format during New Student Orientation (NSO), which occurs each summer and again each January. Represents CICS on university-level committees/councils. Participates in evening and weekend advising related activities (e.g., Open House events, Majors Fair, career and advising fairs, industrial affiliates events, etc.).
- Acts as a staff liaison for assigned student organizations. Provides guidance, resources, and support when they are organizing events and helps them stay informed of networking and student recruitment opportunities such as “Come Home to Your College” and “First Fridays.”
- Provides training and mentorship for other academic advising staff. Trains staff on policy, procedure, course requirements, general knowledge, and systems to ensure they have the tools to advise and support CICS students effectively.
- Attends regional advising conferences and other professional development events. Actively collaborates with the advising network on campus in order to maintain breadth or stay current on campus advising knowledge, college & major updates, new policies, best practices, etc.
- Collaborates with academic programs staff and directors to develop, update, and maintain a library of academic plans that are available and a list of approved courses. Collaborates and tracks joint initiatives.
- Acts as a backup for the Advising Center Coordinator when they are unavailable. This includes, but is not limited to, greeting students, faculty, and staff who enter the CICS Advising Office, answering the main phone line, opening and closing the office, accepting mail and packages, and directing the student workers as needed.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Department, College, or University goals and objectives.
- May supervise student advisors and/or tour guides.
- May teach seminars relevant to CICS majors, and exploratory track students.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy. Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration. Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s Degree in any field (Higher Education, Guidance and Counseling, Computer Science, or related field preferred) with at least three (3) years of experience in academic advising, counseling, or a related field. A Master's Degree or higher may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively, and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students, and off-campus constituents. Ability and willingness to work empathetically with a diverse student population and contribute to their success.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in a logical sequence.
- Independent initiative. Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively with a minimum amount of supervision or guidance. Willingness to take on a variety of tasks related to the successful operation of the Advising Center. The ability to adapt and work effectively as the College and advising team grows. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality. The ability to think through problems, organize and seek out data/information, identify key factors and underlying causes, and generate solutions.
- Strong computer skills including at least intermediate expertise with:
- Email.
- Calendar systems such as Outlook or Google.
- Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
- Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally for conferences and special events.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Master’s Degree in any field (Higher Education, Guidance and Counseling, Computer Science, or related field preferred) with at least 1 year of experience in academic advising.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
- May be required to work some nights and weekends.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
PSU Level 26.
Exempt Hiring Ranges.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach a resume and the names and contact information of 3 professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.