Academic Advisor I

Academic Advisor I

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.

Position Information

We are currently seeking an Academic Advisor I, who 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:

• 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 others

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

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

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.