College of Engineering Academic Advisor

• JOB NUMBER: 521227

• CLASSIFICATION: Student Services Professional 2

• GRADE: Grade 78

• WORK TYPE: Hybrid, On Campus, Staff Full-time

• ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT: University of Alaska Anchorage

• SCHOOL/BUSINESS UNIT: UAA College of Engineering

• LOCATION: Anchorage

• CATEGORIES: Academic Advising/Support

Position Summary:

The College of Engineering is looking for an Academic Advisor. This position requires the ability to maintain communication and good relationships with students, faculty and administrative staff. Ability to work with students with a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds, learning styles, academic preparation, and ability level is required. This position is highly dependent on excellent customer service skills. The students are the College of Engineering's customers and should be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism. Advanced public speaking skills and good command of the English language are required. This position must have the ability to troubleshoot situations to determine the best course of action, the ability to listen effectively to students in challenging circumstances and respond with supportive action, as well as the ability to interpret information to determine placement. Academic advising may begin while the student is in high school and continues throughout the student's academic career. Advising will include helping students explore various fields of interest, select specific academic majors, research career options that relate to their programs, and develop plans of study appropriate for their educational goals.

Duties:

Academic Advising: This position requires the ability to maintain communication and good relationships with students, faculty and administrative staff. Ability to work with students with a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds, learning styles, academic preparation, and ability level is required. This position is highly dependent on excellent customer service skills. The students are the College of Engineering's customers and should be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism. Advanced public speaking skills and good command of the English language are required. This position must have the ability to troubleshoot situations to determine the best course of action, the ability to listen effectively to students in challenging circumstances and respond with supportive action, as well as the ability to interpret information to determine placement. Academic advising may begin while the student is in high school and continues throughout the student''s academic career. Advising will include helping students explore various fields of interest, select specific academic majors, research career options that relate to their programs, and develop plans of study appropriate for their educational goals. This position will assist with problem solving in order to promote student persistence and retention. Assist students with navigating COENG and university programs and processes. This position will help Identify and analyze options appropriate for individual student success. Assist with assigning a faculty academic adviser depending on the student's area of interest and the advisor's area of expertise. Provide information and guidance to individual students or to a group of students, from admissions through graduation if needed. Help students with cognitive growth and developing accountability for their academic decisions and an understanding of how those decisions affect their success. Counsel students with identifying options In resolving academic issues. Make recommendations and Inform students regarding course requirements, offerings, and selections to help meet their educational goals. Plan and conduct orientations for new students and transfer students as needed. Inform students and the public about a variety of topics such as university, campus, and department requirements, policies and procedures as needed. Interprets tests and assessment tools such as ACT, SAT, and Accuplacer to determine students'' aptitudes and appropriate course placement. Assess student Issues or concerns and when appropriate, make timely referrals to relevant services such as Student Health Center, Financial Aid and Career Services. Collaborates with other academic units and student services departments throughout the university to facilitate student support. Review and interpret degree audits. Actively adheres to FERPA regulations and confidentiality procedures and keeps up to date with the certification. This position will participate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and refining COENG''s advising program goals and strategies. This position will ensures student records are maintained in accordance with relevant processes, policies, and procedures. This position is expected to perform tasks and to respond to requests in a timely manner, arrive to work during the scheduled working hours, and will report to the Administrative Manager. While it is not a common occurrence, this position may have work that will need to be performed outside of normal business hours. Perform other advising duties as assigned.

Outreach and Engagement: Participates in designing, implementing, assessing, and enhancing COENG's Student Advising Center communication plan. Determines appropriate communication methods for specific initiatives. Develop, maintain, and track communication initiatives including website announcements, calendars, and updates. Collaborates with the Administrative Manager and outreach personnel to create, produce, and distribute materials. Outreach materials may include electronic communications, written materials such as advertising, marketing, brochures, newsletters, flyers, event schedules, as well as emails, internal messaging and other written and electronic content. Proofread and edit communication materials for grammar, clarity and style. Work with COENG development officer and the University Financial Aid Office to keep abreast of current scholarships that are available. Promote any available scholarship and tuition assistance awards to students. Coordinate COENG events such as homework nights and career fairs as needed on or off campus. Assist with the COENG tutoring center as needed. Perform other outreach and engagement duties as assigned.

Administrative: Generates and distributes reports as required. Process, review, evaluate, and maintains documents such as academics petitions, transcripts, and test scores. Provides additional support as necessary for the other COENG departments. Maintain student databases, which are used for general advising purposes and monitoring progress toward degrees. Collect and track student recruitment, retention, admissions and advising information. Analyze cumulative data and present status reports and make recommendations to the faculty and staff of the College of Engineering. Work with the College of Engineering website staff to coordinate updates, additions and corrections to the advising center's web pages, to ensure information posted is accurate and appropriate. Perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Recruitment: Assist in developing, implementing, evaluating, and refining COENG''s recruitment strategies and programs. This may Include delivering, coordinating and hosting orientations, organizing or contributing to college transition workshops, making presentations at events and area schools, collaborating with UAA Admissions Office efforts and events, working with the UAA Graduate School, and other student recruiting activities. Perform other recruitment duties as assigned.

Retention: Participates in creating, executing, evaluating, and improving COENG''s retention strategies and programs. Assists in directing a variety of programs promoting student success and retention, including designing and presenting workshops and one on one sessions to assist with transitions for first time freshman and transfer students. Works with various programs to encourage relationship building within cohorts, with faculty, staff and alumni. Establishes opportunities for students to be mentored by peers and faculty. Perform other retention duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of University environment.
• Public speaking skills.
• Ability to comprehend and apply university policies and procedures as they relate to students.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Aptitude for comprehending another's situation.
• Experience in customer service.
• Previous experience guiding students preferred.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

Bachelor's degree in related field and two years relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Previous experience guiding students preferred.

This position is located on the UAA Anchorage campus in Anchorage, AK. Initially, a remote work arrangement may be possible pending supervisor approval. Applicants should be prepared to work on campus occasionally as needed to fulfill certain job duties and meet the needs of the department. This position may be 100% in person on campus in the future.

Initial application review will take place on August 12, 2022.  To ensure your application is considered, apply by 11:55 pm, Alaska Standard Time on August 11, 2022. 

Salary Information:

This is a full-time, 12-month, non-exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. New hires will be placed on the UA staff salary schedule, Grade 78, based on education and experience.

To Apply:

To be considered, please include the following required documents in your application:

• Resume
• Cover letter which describes how you are a good fit for our team
• Contact information for three professional references

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.