Academic Advisor - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

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 The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) Professional Academic Advisor will provide academic guidance and counseling for undergraduate BMB majors and assist with the planning and implementation of BMB Department programs and services that enhance the success of undergraduate BMB majors. About the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB): BMB has 17 instructional faculty; 12 tenure track (TT) and 5 non-TT. BMB has an Advising Load (ratio of undergraduate majors to faculty) of 50:1. BMB currently has over 600 undergraduate majors. Many students add or change into the BMB major in their first, second or third year. Essential Functions * Provide comprehensive, individualized advising to BMB undergraduate students. * Advise students about BMB, College, and University academic regulations, requirements, and guidelines. * Advise students about course selection during registration periods. * Provide advice and guidance to students having difficult academic problems, and provide appropriate campus referrals to resources for academic and personal assistance. * Advise students from a wide array of personal and academic backgrounds with sensitivity to the needs of non-traditional and underrepresented student populations. * Orient new students in summer and winter New Student Orientation sessions with particular emphasis on course selection for a successful start at the University. * Coordinate and oversee the department's peer advising program with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor, including group advising sessions and other advising activities. * Work with students in academic jeopardy to identify and address factors affecting their academic performance. * Assist in development and implementation of programs for life science students for enhancing student retention, success, and satisfaction. * Maintain records of confidential advising sessions regarding academic progress to ensure advising continuity and to facilitate graduation clearance. * Learn and use advising platforms such as the Student Success Collaborative and other platforms as required. * Collaborate with student support and outreach offices and personnel across campus to enhance the success of BMB students. * Collaborate with life science departments and their advising teams to coordinate the advising of life science students and their transitions into and between majors and progression towards graduation. * Collaborate with the College of Natural Sciences Advising Office and its staff, including the academic deans, Exploratory Track advisors, life science advisors, health professions advisors, career advisors, and Director of Student Success and Diversity. * Develop a relationship with various offices on campus including but not limited to: Advising counterparts in other Colleges, Undergraduate Registrar, New Student Orientation, Disability Services, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, Learning Resource Center, Campus Career Services, International Programs Office, Domestic Exchange, Five College Interchange, Residential Academic Programs, Student Athlete Academic Services, etc. * Meet regularly with Chief Undergraduate Advisor and other members of the advising team, and attend other campus meetings as required. Participate in recruitment activities, such as Fall and Spring Open Houses. * Clear students for graduation at the end of each term as appropriate. * Attend all CNS Chief Undergraduate Advisors meetings and attend other campus meetings as required. Other Functions * Develop and maintain "generalist" knowledge of majors both within and outside of CNS in order to facilitate advising students as they transition to majors both within and outside of the college. * Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet Department goals and objectives, including but not limited to assisting with management of the BMB course and classroom schedule. * Demonstrate capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success. * Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. * Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities. * Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) * Bachelor's degree in any major with a minimum of 1 year experience in academic advising, student services in higher education, or teaching at the college level. * Ability to collaborate and interact with faculty, staff, students, and parents in a friendly and professional manner. * Demonstrated ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, in a fast- paced office environment. Ability to stay abreast with a high volume and wide array of complex curricular information and academic policies and procedures. * Ability to collaborate with others and to identify and achieve shared goals. Ability to work with a large, culturally diverse faculty and undergraduate population. * Demonstrated capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success. * Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. * Computer proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database programs. Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) * Bachelor's degree in science, education, or counseling with a minimum of 1 year experience in academic advising, student services in higher education, or teaching at the college level. * Experience working with students with a range of academic abilities (including honors level and academically at-risk). Work Schedule * Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. * Required to work some evenings and weekends. Salary Information Level 25 PSU Salary Schedule Special Instructions to Applicants Submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references. Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified. As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, the College of Natural Sciences seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion 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. Advertised: Apr 25 2022 Eastern Daylight Time Applications close:

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