Program Adviser, Academic Advising Center (Nine positions)

Position Summary

First-year advisors provide multidisciplinary academic and developmental advising for first-year undergraduates who have chosen a major and/or who are exploring majors. This position focuses on exploration, discovery, and supportive connection with students, which requires a specialized knowledge base across many fields as well as a keen understanding of functional cluster areas (Health and Life Sciences, Administration and Management, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Humanities, Science and Technology and, Pre-Professional Health). First-year advisors demonstrate an enthusiastic demeanor and passion for working with students; are comfortable engaging with large numbers of students via diverse and active outreach methods; and exhibit a customer service orientation and strong communication skills. Other important aspects of this role include collaborating closely with the Academic College Advising Centers and departments across campus, a commitment to professional growth and development, and a strong dedication to serving students, team collaboration and innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Advising

• Engage in individual and small group work with students (via scheduled appointments, drop-ins, phone, online video, and email interactions) and perform related administrative duties.

• Follow all advising protocols and use campus advising tools such as NAVIGATE and will maintain a multidisciplinary knowledge base.

• Assist students in planning for and making informed decisions about a choice of major, intended college outcomes, and potential career or graduate school direction.

• Help students to assess their interests, values and academic skills.

• Teach students how to navigate the systems, academic processes, key deadlines, and policies at NIU .

• Review students’ academic records and discuss appropriate course choices.

• Work with students to personalize their academic paths, work with students to identify individual goals and create corresponding action plans, including offering co-curricular guidance that complements their goals, academic support resources and referrals to campus and community resources.

• Advise students with course registration during New Student and Transfer Orientations.

Student Outreach and Support

• Proactively track, contact, and work with special student populations (e.g., early alert, high-risk, first generation, students who have not been in for an appointment, students who have not registered for the upcoming semester, students in academic difficulty, etc.).

• Participate in student-facing activities as assigned.

• Participate in first-year programming and trainings, both college-based and campus-wide, in collaboration with faculty and other academic advisors.

• Work closely with campus partners to develop, coordinate, and assess programming for new student and transfer orientations and student week of welcome events.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

• Bachelor’s degree
• One year of experience in a higher education setting
• Demonstration of strong communication skills (writing, oral and interpersonal)
• Ability to work closely as a team to provide support and services to students
• Demonstration of a strong commitment to diversity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)
1. Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing quality educational guidance. This includes student needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of student satisfaction.
2. Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in the presentation and delivery of academic programs, strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, recruitment methods, and coordination of people and resources.
3. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
4. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
5. Knowledge of educational, evaluation, and measurement principles, practices, methods, and techniques, university policies and procedures.
6. Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively; ability to develop a rapport with students.
7. Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
8. Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Master’s degree

• Two years of academic advising experience in a higher education setting

• Demonstrated skill and success with the utilization of developmental academic advising

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.

• Experience working with first-year, first-generation or at-risk student populations

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Outstanding customer service skills and a commitment to serving students.

• Proven ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated passion for working with students within a high-volume setting.

• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Willingness to work in an environment which may demand some flexibility or evening/weekend work.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

Additional Requirements (SPS)

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

Physical demands/requirements

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

1.00

Standard Hours Per Week

37.50

Salary

$45,000-$47,000/annually

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range

Earn Type

Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Additional Position Details:

• Click on Program Advisor for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click on Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.
• Applicants must be a current citizen or resident of the State of Illinois to move forward in the hiring process.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Application Review Details:

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience.
• If you have education and/or training in excess of what is required, we encourage you to upload your unofficial transcripts.
• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.
• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
• We STRONGLY recommend that contact information used in your online profile be personal use, not professional/work information: personal email address, home address and phone numbers. The information that you provide is used to make contact on search updates, department referrals and interviews, etc. We must be able to relay sensitive and important information in a way that protects your privacy concerning job search activity, now and in the future.

Exam Details:

• The Civil Service examination for this classification is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant’s/employee’s education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). In order to determine an appropriate rating for each examination, a review of a résumé, cover letter, university/agency official employment application, college transcript, copies of license/certification and any other relevant material may be required.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant

https://employment.niu.edu/postings/66180

Is Background Check Required?

Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.

Read the Annual Safety and Security Report. Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-1649 for a hard copy.

Read the Fire Safety Report . Contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at 815-753-0404 for a hard copy.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. List of at least 3 References

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelors Degree
   • Masters Degree
   • PHD
2. * Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
   • 0-1
   • 1-3
   • 3-5
   • 5-7
   • 7+
4. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
5. * Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?
   • Yes
   • No
6. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not Applicable
7. * How did you learn of this NIU job opportunity?
   • NIU Human Resources Website
   • Illinois Dept of Employment Services
   • IL WorkNet Job Center
   • SUCSS Website
   • Word of Mouth
   • Agency Referral
   • ListServ
   • Mailing
   • Phone Contact
   • Other