Academic Advisor

Academic Advisor

Do you want to help individuals achieve their educational, career, and personal goals? Do you aspire to work with an Advising team that is nationally recognized for excellence? The University of Southern Maine (USM) is seeking applicants for a full-time Academic Advisor who is dedicated to student success and our Student Focused Every Day service promise. We are looking for individuals who have demonstrated experience supporting students, values our teaching and learning approach to advising, and embraces developmental academic advising. Each new advisor experiences a team-based onboarding experience, including a mentor, as they learn the many facets of the position.

Advising at USM has an "advising as teaching and learning" philosophy. Academic Advisors work in partnership with faculty advisors/mentors and other members of the institution to ensure the student is supported in all aspects critical to the student's success, including services related to orientation, registration, core curriculum, assessment of learning and degree planning. The Advisor facilitates student engagement in academic and early career planning activities, and the life of the university by employing a strengths-based advising approach grounded in student development theory. The Advisor serves as the primary contact for students from matriculation to junior status and is a resource through graduation for undergraduate students and as a resource for all graduate students.

The Academic Advisor is responsible for providing direct academic advising and support to students (online and face-to-face) through academic and early career planning, learning strategy support, graduation planning, and monitoring student progress toward degree. The primary purpose of this position is to enhance the student experience and contribute to improved retention and graduation rates for USM students. Demonstrated experience in working effectively with diverse student populations and first-generation students is a plus. In addition, this position will utilize best practices to support first generation and economically disadvantaged students.

Candidates should expect to work in a fast-paced environment; learn and communicate continually changing and detailed information and maintain accurate, up-to-date student records for a large caseload. This person requires collaboration with advisors, faculty, and success partners across the institution to create a welcoming and supportive network for students.

This is a full-time in person position on our Portland campus with an annual salary of up to $45,045.

The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Nights and weekends as needed. Some travel to other USM campuses in Gorham and Lewiston may be required, as well as some other in-state travel as necessary.

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond.

USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates diverse perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. USM encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including women, veterans, and those with differing abilities, experiences, and cultural perspectives.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of three years of related experience with a minimum of one year experience in advising or career advising in an educational setting.

To apply, click on the 'Apply Now' button below or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.

For full consideration please submit all required materials by May 31, 2026.

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. View the University's Annual Security Report (PDF). If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io.