First-Year Professional Academic Advisor

Job Summary

The College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) Student Support & Advising Services (SSAS) unit is committed to building collaborative, student-centered relationships that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development, and foster a sense of community. CEAS academic advisors educate the whole student through a developmental, student-focused approach. Advisors are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students, along with contributing to the development of student learning outcomes and assessment.

This position serves as a primary academic advisor for first-year students within CEAS. First-Year Academic Advisors provide multidisciplinary academic and developmental advising for first-year undergraduates with interests that span the full range of academic options within the College of Engineering and Applied Science. First-Year Academic Advisors may focus on students within a particular subset of subject areas within the college or may work with students who are exploring all fields.

This position focuses on exploration, discovery, and supportive connection with students, which requires a specialized knowledge base across many subject areas as well as a keen understanding of related functional areas. First-Year Academic 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 individuals and departments across campus, a dedication to professional growth and development, and strong dedication to team collaboration and innovation.

This role will also be connected to campus-wide initiatives and committees. First-year advisors at CU Boulder work in a collaborative team setting, as part of a campus-wide First-Year Advising Network. This network is committed to building student-centered relationships that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development, and foster a sense of community. First-year advisors work to support and educate students through a developmental, holistic approach and are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students, throughout their first-year on campus and beyond and the successful transition to their best-fit academic path.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

SSAS is committed to honoring unique backgrounds and experiences. Join our team and help us build a more inclusive and diverse academic culture!

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Student Facing Interactions:

• Develops trusting, supportive relationships with individual students from the point of onboarding through their first year via in-person individual appointments and group meetings, open hours, drop-in hours, videoconferencing, telephone, and email.
• Assists students in planning for and making informed decisions about a choice of major, intended college outcomes, and potential career or graduate school direction; helps students to assess their interests, values and academic skills; teaches students how to navigate the systems, academic processes and policies at CU Boulder; reviews students’ academic records and discuss appropriate course choices; and works with students to personalize their academic path, including offering co-curricular guidance that complements their goals and leads them in regular long-term planning.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for academic questions or concerns, to provide resources available and referrals as needed.
• Offers a student-focused developmental approach to advising, and an understanding of how career goals and opportunities impact academic decisions.
• Provides comprehensive advising support focusing on exploration, discovery, goal-setting, and supportive connection with first-year students.
• Provides active listening and support to students in sensitive personal or academic situations with tact, compassion, and discretion.
• Participates in first-year programming, both college-based and campus-wide, and collaborates with faculty and other student support professionals in the CEAS.
• Collaborates with the student’s overall support network, including family members.
• Works with students in group settings via workshops and presentations, and may facilitate advising and academic exploration workshops.
• Proactively tracks, contacts, and works with special student populations (e.g., early alert, first-generation, students who have not been in for an appointment, students in academic difficulty, working students, etc.).
• Stays current on changing curricula, department/program, college, and university rules and policies and how to apply to constantly different circumstances. Adopts college and university protocols to maintain records of student interactions, student paperwork, and progress towards the degree. This includes evaluation of transfer and study abroad credit and updating degree audits.
• Participates in professional development activities, staying abreast of advising practices and their application to the advisement of college students.
• Provides occasional evening/weekend hours to support strategic SSAS, College, and Campus programming as assigned.

Collaboration & Programming Support:

• Plans and collaborates with the First-year Advising Network as well as the SSAS Team, including attending regular meetings, trainings, and engaging in evaluation exercises. Contributes to and participate in pivotal initiatives and goals related to campus-wide first-year advising and ensures alignment with key elements of the campus-wide first-year advising model.
• Participates in the college’s New Student Welcome and College Day programming and events, along with recruiting events as requested.
• Liaises and creates cross-campus relationships with:
• Departmental Advising Neighborhoods and faculty to ensure understanding of curricula, departmental goals and Career/research opportunities
• Advisors in the college and across campus
• Student support professionals in the college and across campus
• Serves on department/program, college, and/or university committees or other projects as assigned.
• Serves as a backup to other undergraduate advisors in the college as needed.
• Assists in the training of new professional academic advisors as assigned.
• Stays apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
• Participates in professional development activities.
• Recommends and implements process improvements to increase department efficiency.
• Documents all processes and procedures making them accessible to team members.
• Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
  

What You Should Know

All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to follow the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

This position is being created as part of a pilot for a First-Year Advising model in CEAS, and the need for this position in CEAS will be re-evaluated in spring 2024. At that time, if CEAS does not continue with a dedicated First-Year Advising model, this position may be reassigned to another First-Year Advising unit in a different college, school, or program at CU Boulder, or may remain on the CEAS SSAS team in a different advising role.

In partnership with Student Affairs and Residence Life, the CEAS is embarking on a new first-year engineering residential community in fall 2023, based at Williams Village. Although a typical work schedule is Monday-Friday during campus business hours, first-year advisors may need to flex their hours to accommodate evening and weekend programming and advising offerings.

The position is eligible for a hybrid in-person/remote work schedule, although in-person interactions and availability for students is prioritized.

What We Can Offer

• Salary range for this position is $50,000 - $54,000.
• Current CU Senior Advising and Coaching employees are eligible for transfer at their current level.
• Relocation assistance is available within CEAS guidelines.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements

Be resourceful. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Professional 1: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and professional experience in a student-facing role in higher education. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

Professional 2: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and two years academic advising at an institution of higher education. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Ability to communicate effectively cross-culturally, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Student-centered work ethic and a high level of personal integrity and accountability.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
• Willingness to work in an environment which may demand some flexibility or evening/weekend work.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master’s Degree in higher education, counseling, STEM, or related field and one year of professional experience in a student-facing role in higher education.
• Experience in academic advising, student career counseling, or providing student support within a college or university setting.
• Experience and/or interest in working with first-year or exploring students.
• Experience working with STEM students in a higher education setting.
• Experience participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in a higher education setting or having a commitment to inclusivity and cultural competence.
• Experience with proactive, responsive, and prioritized student outreach and interventions.
• Experience applying student development theory.
• Experience working with students in academic difficulty.
• Experience interacting with family members of college students.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point), and experience with other technologies such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Canvas, Qualtrics, Google Workspace, etc.
• Familiarity with enrollment management tools, customer relationship management systems, and predictive analytics software, such as PeopleSoft, OnBase, Salesforce, etc.
• Established skills and experience using technologies that support academic advising standard methodologies.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by April 9, 2023 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu