Academic Advisor

Job Description

The Advising Center in the College of Natural Resources and Environment primarily serves the advising needs of undergraduate students enrolled in the college. We seek an undergraduate advisor to work with approximately 250 students and serve as a liaison between the Advising Center and one of four academic departments within the college. The advisor will be housed in the college’s Advising Center and report to the Director of Advising for the college.

The College of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We encourage applications from persons identifying with historically underrepresented groups, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/Latinx, and underrepresented genders. In addition, individuals who have experience supporting students enrolled in natural resources majors and knowledge of challenges specific to underrepresented minorities and underserved student populations are preferred.

The advisor’s primary responsibilities center on supporting all aspects of advising and academics within the College of Natural Resources and Environment. The responsibilities are:

Academic advising:

• Provide academic advising to students from orientation through graduation (major and minor programs)
• Monitor academic progress of students by working with a degree audit report
• Identify current and potential needs or challenges (e.g., study skills, tutoring) and, if required, refer students to appropriate campus resources for assistance
• Maintain student files and records; document pertinent student information
• Assist with various forms such as substitutions, course transfer equivalency, course drops and withdrawals, curriculum changes
• Assist students with registration/provide guidance in course selection in keeping with degree requirements, students’ interests, values, and abilities
• Interpret and explain college and university policies and procedures
• Assist with New Student Orientation
• Refer students to appropriate faculty member for career/field-specific advising

Curriculum

• Assist designated department with developing/modifying degree requirement checklists (i.e., checksheets) and advising guides
• Attend curriculum committee and departmental meetings, as requested by department
• Assist with experiential learning requirements and approvals

Timetable of classes

• Support systems related to class scheduling/registration
• Review departmental course offerings and schedule of course offerings (i.e., timetable schedule) and communicates with department head and faculty regarding course scheduling
• Consult with department head on scheduling, enrollment, and advertising of summer courses

Recruitment

• Represent the department at recruitment events, such as the Majors Fair, Student Ambassador training, and Hokie Focus

Other

• Assist with advising-oriented projects
• Communicate in a professional manner with faculty, university administrators, researchers, staff, students, and campus visitors
• Some evening and weekend work will be required

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in student development, counseling, or education, or a Bachelor’s degree coupled with training and work experience that may equate to an advanced degree
• Academic advising experience, classroom instructional experience, student counseling, and/or other relevant experience
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills with the ability to develop and deliver public presentations with confidence to large and small groups
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work with a diverse population of students
• Demonstrated commitment towards creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
• Ability to multitask within high traffic, student-centered environment
• Ability and willingness to be flexible in task assignments and adapt to changing situations
• In addition to the above required qualifications, the successful candidate should have a history of collaboration and the ability to be a collegial departmental, college, and university citizen
• Willingness to learn about the field of natural resources
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with natural resource programs
• Demonstrated understanding of the programs at Virginia Tech relevant to curricular issues and student success
• Experience working with Banner and reading a Degree Audit Report
• Past work experience in a professional office environment

Pay Band

N/A

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience.

Review Date

1/3/2022

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Stephanie Hart at slang@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: November 10, 2021
Applications close: