Academic Adviser Jobs

Department

College Dean of Students in the College

About The Department

College Dean of Students

Job Summary

The Academic Adviser position involves advising a caseload of students, with whom they work 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. After 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.
• Performs other related work as needed.
• Remains knowledgeable about the curriculum, study abroad programs, internships, campus jobs, student activities, graduate school, and career planning.
• Responds in a timely manner to student, staff, faculty, and parent emails and phone calls.
• Understands and interprets University policies and deadlines and is able to access information through various electronic student-systems databases.
• Runs lists and queries for various administrative tasks.
• Monitors students’ progress towards completion of their degrees.
• Employs counseling skills for dealing with troubled students and establishes good working relationships with a diverse student population.
• Assists senior staff members with summer pre-registration processes, summer placement exams, accreditation exams, online advising materials, and Orientation Week preparation.
• Meets with and advises students during the summer months to support course selection for Autumn courses.
• 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.
• Keeps records of students’ degree programs and makes notes on student interactions.
• Conducts regular meetings with students to discuss academic programs, choice of major, academic progress and career goals. Facilitates students' progress towards the degree.
• Helps students resolve problems and refers students to campus resources.
• Documents and processes special approvals to students’ degree programs as necessary.
• Keeps records of student degree programs and notes on student conversations.
• Handles and processes student petitions as needed.
• Interacts with students within Housing and Residence Life (pending COVID-19 restrictions being lifted). 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.

Education

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education

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

Experience

• Minimally 5 years professional work experience in higher education.
• Specialized knowledge of college student development and event planning.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

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

Preferred Competencies

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

Working Conditions

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

Application Documents

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

When applying, the document(s) MUST be 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 Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.

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