"Senior Academic Advisor 1"

Job Description

Provides academic advisement for undergraduate students and supports the delivery of academic advising in the assigned unit or college. Works with faculty and other staff to streamline the curriculum development process within the assigned unit or college. Ensures the accuracy of degree requirements and content in the Course Catalog. Plans and coordinates college-level programming activities and registration for the assigned undergraduate student population.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Trains and mentors new advisors, support staff, interns, graduate assistants, and student employees. Supervises student employees; coordinates work schedules of student employees and graduate assistants.
• Coordinates advisement, recruitment, career services, and retention activities; assesses, reports, and makes recommendations regarding advisement and recruitment functions and activities.
• Verifies and signs off on completion of degree requirements. Prepares various academic advising reports. Develops and coordinates advising training for departments, faculty, and/or advisors.
• Develops student support programs and workshops for special student populations.
• Serves as the unit's resource person and representative with the larger university community. Coordinates graduation activities and creates, updates, and processes graduation audits.
• Understands nuances and varied interpretations of basic policies including exceptions and appeals; recommends the creation and/or interpretation of policies.
• Establishes courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently; effectively organizes people and activities. Coordinates advisor meetings; reports on the operational status of the office.
• Develops and revises informational materials and curriculum guides for students and departments.
• Reviews applications for restricted majors; reports on and guides special populations.
• Assists in the development of data collection and analysis for assessment purposes.
• Advises and assists current and prospective students regarding interpretation of placement assessment, ascertainment of desired career and academic goals, development of an academic plan, establishment of program requirements related to academic objectives, and course scheduling and registration.
• Assists in the resolution of individual academic issues and issues affecting degree progress and attainment of academic and career objectives.
• Advises students on academic program changes and academic progress toward a degree; appropriate referral to students for related services.
• Assists in the evaluation of transcripts; reviews and discusses evaluated transcripts for applicability of transfer credit to YSU; when appropriate, initiates credit evaluation process.
• Interprets university and college policies and procedures, including student withdrawal, probation, suspension, dismissal and reinstatement procedures; stays current on applicable laws, policies and procedures (e.g. FERPA); consults with other advisors regarding interpretation of University policies.
• Maintains student files, records and data in accordance with federal, state and university regulations.
• Collaborates within the unit and across other colleges and divisions to support academic advising, orientation, recruiting, career service, and retention programs and activities.
• Attends and successfully completes university-provided training and participates in appropriate external professional development activities.
• Serves on various campus committees and/or represents the advising unit at various functions.
• Assists in graduation audits.

Unit or College Specific Responsibilities:

• Provides advising to assigned students regarding academic, internship, career, and related matters.
• Provide administrative support in the management of the upper-division admissions process and student teaching process for education students within the assigned unit.
• Meets with college leadership to keep abreast of curricular changes.
• Communicates with students through mass email system and/or BlackBoard regarding announcements, curriculum information, and/or job and internship opportunities, etc.

Other Functions and Responsibilities:

• Trains new hires.
• Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: university policies and procedures; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives; department/division policies and procedures; workplace safety practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management.

Skill in: advising; written and verbal communication; public relations; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division.

Ability to: interact continually and effectively with students, parents, and the public; build positive relationships with faculty, staff, and departments; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one task to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least a bachelor’s degree; three years of experience in academic advising or a related position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree; basic knowledge of academic policies and procedures; knowledge of advising best practices; excellent written and oral communication skills, especially listening skills. Knowledge of related university academic policies and procedures.