About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Department Head, the Academic Advisor provides academic counseling for undergraduate students in the Chemical Engineering department. In coordination with the Undergraduate Program Director, this position organizes and manages administrative activities of the department’s undergraduate programs, including departmental aspects of career planning.

Essential Functions

• Provides entry-level, individualized and small group advising to a diverse population of students throughout the year, including new student and transfer orientation/registration periods and current student registration periods in regards to the requirements for completing the BS degree in Chemical Engineering and the certificate/minor options offered by the department.
• Responds to common issues such as registration-related matters including fulfilling University general education requirements, interpreting major and college requirements and providing guidance for dual degrees, double majors, minors, and completes course overrides and exceptions.
• Assists students with matters that involve goal setting, planning and decision-making such as establishing an academic plan, choosing certificate/minor, selecting courses, and evaluating courses for study-abroad experiences.
• Monitors the academic progress of students and performs the academic report process.
• Responds to at-risk students experiencing academic and often critical personal difficulties by addressing relevant issues and making appropriate referrals to university agencies.
• Assists with graduation clearance processing for undergraduate students. Maintains familiarity with changes in the Chemical Engineering degree program and assists in determining any curricular exceptions.
• Works with the Undergraduate Program Director and the Undergraduate Program Committee on curriculum issues and the development of new certificates and tracks.
• Coordinates student awards and scholarships and organizes the annual awards ceremony.
• Responds to and manages inquiries from parents in accordance with FERPA and in a highly professional and respectful manner and tone.
• Develops course/curriculum assessment questionnaires for alumni in collaboration with the Undergraduate Program Director.
• Assists the Office of Career Services in the compilation, maintenance, and organization of statistics concerning alumni placement and progress.
• Compiles, maintains and organizes statistics and course/curriculum information for the periodic department or college reports, and ABET program accreditation review in collaboration with the Undergraduate Program Director.
• Designs, creates and administers surveys to measure outcomes and analyze results, which are used by Undergraduate Program Committee's preparation for the ABET program.
• Assists with the designs and implementation of recruitment and retention strategies to improve the number of quality students accepted into the undergraduate programs.
• Meets with prospective students and students in other majors wanting to transfer into Chemical Engineering.
• Participates in evening and weekend activities including Open Houses, Destination Days, and other activities and additional events that may be developed.
• Serves as the undergraduate program liaison with other UMass departments and student societies, including serving on committees in the College of Engineering. Interacts with the Registrar’s office and University Without Walls (UWW).
• Coordinates academic scheduling in collaboration with the Undergraduate Program Director and the Department Head.
• Interacts with the Registrar’s office and UWW on student admissions, in-person and online courses.
• Prepares and edits course catalog entries, as well as web pages associated with the academic programs.
• Schedule classes, classrooms, and exams in the system.
• Serves on search committees for staff openings in the Department and College, as needed.
• Hires and supervises student workers.

Other Functions

• Executes special projects as needed to support the mission of the Chemical Engineering Advising Office, departments, and the College.
• Attends and supports the Industrial Advisory Board’s yearly meeting.
• Acts as liaison between the department and alumni, as needed.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, FERPA, and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs, Campus Life, and Student Success.
• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Works in partnership with colleagues within the College of Engineering and the Chemical Engineering community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the Chemical Engineering department.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree and one (1) year of relevant experience to include academic advising and/or student affairs.
• Ability to work with a large, culturally diverse faculty, staff and undergraduate population. Ability to collaborate and interact with faculty, staff, students and parents in a friendly and professional manner.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with a large, culturally diverse faculty, staff and undergraduate population. Ability to collaborate and interact with faculty, staff, students and parents in a friendly and professional manner.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a working relationship with industry.
• Ability to advise students effectively in course selections in the Chemical Engineering curriculum.
• Ability to understand, explain, and consistently apply departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge, ability and interest in learning new web-based database management and spreadsheet software.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience in working in higher education.
• Knowledge of university academic policies and regulations.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.