Academic Adviser
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

College Dean of Students in the College

About the Department

The Office of the Dean of Students in the College has broad responsibility for the success of all College students. The Dean of Students reports to the Dean of the College. The staff of academic advisers and deans provide academic advising; counseling to students around academic and personal issues, and long-term planning; referrals for students to other campus resources; advice on applications to prestigious scholarships, as well as preparation for graduate and professional school. The Dean of Students staff needs to understand University policies and the College curriculum. They also interact with faculty, parents, and staff from other offices. The Office of the Dean of Students in the College and the College Academic Advising Office are committed to enriching the working environment for all staff by promoting a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply.

Job Summary

The Academic Adviser position involves advising a caseload of students, whom they will work with until the student's graduation. These advising responsibilities include meeting with incoming students as they make their course selection and plans for their first year of study. During matriculation, the Adviser meets with students to provide advice on course selection, choice of major/minor, planning academic programs, making progress towards meeting graduation requirements, study abroad planning, and career planning and preparation. An Adviser also provides students with advice about personal challenges and regularly makes referrals to professionals elsewhere in the University. An Adviser participates in College initiatives and serves as liaison to the academic programs of study. Advisers must be knowledgeable about the curriculum, University policies, multiple systems for tracking student information, and University resources for students.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the academic programs of a group of undergraduate students.
• Monitors students' progress towards completion of their degrees.
• Helps students resolve problems and refers students to campus resources.
• Remains knowledgeable about the curriculum, study abroad programs, internships, campus jobs, student activities, graduate school, and career planning.
• Understands and interprets University policies and deadlines and is able to access information through various electronic student-systems databases.
• Keeps records of students' degree programs and makes notes on student interactions.
• Employs counseling skills for dealing with troubled students and is able to establish good working relationships with a diverse student population.
• Meets with and advises students during the summer months to support course selection for Autumn courses.
• Assists senior staff members with summer pre-registration processes, summer placement exams, accreditation exams, online advising materials, and Orientation Week preparation.
• Interacts with students within Housing and Residence Life - one meal per week at House Tables, once a week walk-in hours in the Residence Halls, and two additional points of engagement with the housing community per quarter.
• Documents and processes special approvals to students' degree programs as necessary.
• Handles and processes student petitions as needed.
• Runs lists and queries for various administrative tasks.
• Responds in a timely manner to student, staff, faculty, and parent emails and phone calls.
• Participates in staff development trainings and weekly meetings.
• Serves as a liaison to one or more academic departments and updates staff on developments to majors and minors
• Serves as called upon as a liaison to other campus partners.
• Conducts regular meetings with students to discuss academic programs, choice of major, academic progress and career goals. Facilitates students' progress towards the degree.
• Keeps records of student degree programs and notes on student conversations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree, with a 5-year minimum gap between date of college graduation and appointment.

Experience:

• Two to five years of professional work experience in higher education.
• Specialized knowledge of college student development and event planning.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Mac and PC environments.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online organizational tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe graphic design/web development environments.
• Proficiency with web and social media platforms.
• Learn new software and database tools.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including excellent editing/proofreading ability in English.
• Handle multiple concurrent projects in a competent and professional manner while also managing details and meeting deadlines.
• Work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team, individually, or in concert with other offices and campus partners.
• Maintain confidentiality/discretion at all times.
• Handle stressful situations.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Decision making skills.
• Reasoning skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Creativity.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Sit at a computer for 4-6 hours.
• Periodic walking to other campus locations.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, to include interest in position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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