Undergraduate Academic Advisor at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

The University of Pittsburgh is seeking an Undergraduate Academic Advisor for the School of Public Health. The Academic Advisor provides comprehensive academic advising to all undergraduates within the school, as well as advising assistance to undergraduate students or prospective students outside of the school with interest in the school’s programs.

We seek a positive, conscientious, student-centered individual to help prepare students for lives of impact by connecting them with educational experiences tailored to their specific goals and needs. The academic advisor will work with students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives and with a broad range of academic interests that intersect. Examples include adult/non-traditional students, students from underrepresented backgrounds, students interested in medical school and/or careers in the health sciences, and students at various stages in the academic decision-making process, including undecided/undeclared students and declared majors. We ask applicants to discuss experiences working with these student groups in your cover letter.

Academic advisors help students identify academic and career goals and assist with appropriate course selection and degree planning. Academic advisors connect students to helpful resources and services and monitor degree progress. To deliver a high level of student service within dynamic and changing environments, academic advisors continually build on a foundation of advising theory and practice. Academic advisors may participate in and assist with the planning and implementation of unit and/or University-sponsored activities, including, but not limited to: retention and outreach efforts, internal working groups/committees, new and continuing student programs, graduation review, onboarding programs for new students, and remediation efforts for students experiencing academic difficulties. Academic advisors use various software packages and platforms to fulfill these responsibilities and must be able to adapt to new technologies without sacrificing quality. Academic advisors must be committed advocates for a diverse student body and successfully build and foster inclusive relationships with students and colleagues.

This position requires patience, flexibility, energy, and a sincere desire to assist students. Excellent organization, communication skills, timeliness, cooperation, collaboration, and accuracy are essential. Successful candidates must demonstrate the ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous demands, inclusive of balancing a sizeable caseload of students with administrative, creative, and/or project-driven responsibilities. An ability to understand and appreciate the perspectives of various communities, including communities of color, is a must.

The Pitt Public Health Undergraduate Academic Advisor will also work with faculty mentors to help students who have declared a Public Health major, guiding them in major content-related choices, such as upper-level major course selection, choosing an area of focus, and career considerations.

A master’s degree and 2 years of experience working with diverse student populations in a higher education setting is preferred. A bachelor’s degree and six or more years of advising/student service experience may be substituted for the master’s degree requirement. A willingness to learn University policies and procedures and the nature and structure of academic degree requirements (Pitt or otherwise – for example, drop/add deadlines and their implications, general education, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, electives, etc.), proficiency with student information systems – specific familiarity with PeopleSoft a plus, an ability to interpret and use degree audits (called an Academic Advisement Report at Pitt), excellent written and verbal communications skills, time management, conflict management, ability to build rapport and trust, and advisor training and/or professional development associated with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) or parallel professional organization preferred.

Job Summary

Utilizes advanced advising knowledge, theory, and practical experience to serve as an academic liaison for students to identify academic and career goals, select appropriate courses, and plan for degree attainment. Manages small to medium-sized, moderately complex projects.

Essential Functions

Must be able to use a computer for PeopleSoft, Microsoft Office Suite, and other software systems. Must be able to communicate via telephone, email, and in person, and go to recruitment events/fairs to represent the school. Must be able to work extra hours during peak seasons.

Physical Effort

The position is essentially sedentary but may require travel to conferences and some lifting of materials.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Academic Advisor II

Job Family: Academic & Student Services

Job Sub Family: Academic Advising

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: Master's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 2

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Arrangement: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hiring Range: $43,000 - $53,000

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter

Optional Documents: Not Applicable

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