Academic Advisor I

Job Title
Academic Advisor I

Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department
Dean's Office Staff

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
College Station, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description
About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about joining AgriLife!

Position Information

Job Summary:

The Academic Advisor I, with assistance, is responsible for driving engagement and empowering students to achieve their academic and career goals. This position will play a vital role in maximizing undergraduate student retention by building relationships with students and clarifying procedures and academic requirements for specific programs or majors. This position may serve programs including biochemistry, genetics, forensic and investigative sciences, entomology, animal science, poultry science, nutrition, and food science and technology

The following list provides examples of the most typical duties for this level position. Individual positions may not include all of the examples listed, nor does the list include all of the work that may be assigned to this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

65% Advises Students

• Collaborates with students to understand and develop realistic and attainable educational and academic goals and provides input on related majors, minors, future education and career options that best align with goals.
• Educates students about and prepares and assists them with full array of academic processes (e.g., registration, add/drop, Q drops, withdrawals, change of curriculum submissions, etc.) by sharing university and college policies, program requirements, transfer credit decisions, etc.
• Reviews student's academic record and counsel students regarding core and degree course selection and implication of selected courses and/or exception requests.
• Provides input on probationary decisions.
• Creates and maintains updated relevant records and notes (e.g., student contact, advisor notes).

15% Delivers Student Success and Retention Strategies

• Consistently engages student population utilizing various outreach methods (e.g., in-person and online) to cultivate a professional relationship to keep students informed of critical and relevant personal, academic and professional deadlines, updates, information and events.
• Proactively shares with students available academic, professional, and health and wellness resources (e.g., Academic Success Center, Career Center, Student Organizations, Counseling & Psychological Services, Disability Resources, etc.) May refer students with identified needs as appropriate.
• Actively monitors students' progress through the program by reviewing and assessing academic records to determine status of progression, completion of degree requirements as well as identifying and referring those students in which additional intervention and guidance may be recommended to reaching academic goals.
• Assists in the planning and/or delivery of various department related advising, student success, retention events and academic campaigns (e.g., New Student Conference, 1st semester advising, inquiries from prospective students).
• Assesses individual students' stage of academic development and promotes their growth by determining suitable developmental tasks.

20% Training

• Up to 20% training per year to complete in-class and on-the-job training programs, which may include shadowing, departmental/college/school trainings, university training, university, state, and national advisor meetings, regular staff and supervisory meetings, and other activities approved by the supervisor. Trainings must include:
  • Advisor Onboarding
  • Becoming an Advisor
• Note: Time reserved for training may be adjusted after year one based on employee performance and supervisor discretion.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree. No required experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications: None

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Proficiency level of novice in the following skills, using the novice to expert model (i.e., novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, expert):

• Initiating, building, and maintaining effective relationships
• Communicating with others in a clear and concise manner that is audience appropriate
• Researching information to meet situation parameters
• Collaborating with others within and across departments/groups
• Actively listening to determine speakers' goals, needs, and/or challenges
• Organizing, prioritizing, and working effectively to meet goals and parameters of simultaneous projects
• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with other

Proficiency level of advanced beginner in the following skills, using the novice to expert model (i.e., novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, expert):

• Ability to use various computer programs to include word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications
• Ability to work with confidential information

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of student development in higher education
• Ability to lead students in developing education and personal goals and experience.

What You Need to Know

Salary: $45,000

Sponsorship:

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship:

Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Benefits and Leave:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
• 12-15 annual paid holidays
• Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs

How to Apply

Applications must include all job application data or a complete resume. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to upload a resume or use LinkedIn to prepopulate application fields.

Required Documents:

• CV / Resume
• Cover Letter

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.