Job Description

Job no: 527845
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: CNS Advising Center
Union: PSU
Categories: Academic Advising & Learning Resources, College of Natural Sciences, PSU A

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valuedand thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

About the College of Natural Sciences

The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) houses 13 departments and offers 22 undergraduate majors for approximately 7000 students. CNS is the largest of the universitys colleges and offers a comprehensive range of student services and advising. To better serve the wide range of students and equally diverse range of majors, the college is transitioning to a model of first year advising where all incoming students will be assigned to a team of advisors specializing on the first-year experience with a goal of increasing retention, equity of access, and belonging in the sciences.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the CNS Director of First Year Advising, the First Year Academic Advisor/First Year Senior Academic Advisor provides comprehensive advising for College of Natural Sciences (CNS) first year students in various majors, including CNS exploratory track students. This position works closely with other advising personnel to ensure high quality advising and academic services for all students, with particular emphasis on programmatic needs for first year students. The position is responsive to the widely varied needs of diverse student populations and works in a high volume and fast-paced work environment.

Essential Functions

• Provides comprehensive, individualized, and small group advising to a diverse population of students during the academic year, including new student orientation/registration periods and current student registration periods.?
• Partners with the departments of their advisees to successfully build community within the major and successfully transition first year students into the department-based advising for the sophomore year.
• Responds to common issues such as registration-related matters including fulfilling the universitys general education requirements, interpreting major and college requirements, and providing guidance for course enrollment.
• Assists students with matters that involve goal setting, self-assessment, time management skills, planning and decision-making such as establishing an academic plan, choosing a major within and outside of the College of Natural Sciences, and selecting courses.
• Identifies and responds to at-risk students experiencing academic and critical personal difficulties.
• Provides proactive and responsive interventions to support student success.
• Provides targeted outreach and support to first year students on Academic Warning and Academic Probation.
• Responds to inquiries from parents in accordance with FERPA in a highly professional and respectful manner.
• Regularly helps develop and offer activities and workshops for CNS students, including information sessions about CNS majors for current and prospective students.
• Participates in CNS activities, including Fall Visit Days, Destination Days, Senior Celebration, and other activities and events that may be developed.
• Represents CNS Undergraduate Advising on college and university-level committees and councils.
• Assists in training new professional and graduate student advisors by providing them with the most current information about requirements in CNS and other majors.
• Contributes to the complex college graduation clearance process. Maintains familiarity with all changes in degree programs and execute college curricular exceptions.

Senior Academic Advisor additional essential functions:

• Mentors less experienced First Year advisors with advising best practices and in addressing complex advising challenges.
• Responsible for complex college graduation clearance process. Maintains familiarity with all changes in degree programs and execute college curricular exceptions.

Other Functions

• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Deans strategic priorities.
• Performs 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)

• Bachelors degree.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Intermediate level computer proficiency.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively.?
• Demonstrated commitment to continued learning or professional development on diversity, equity and justice issues.
• Documented experience in academic advising, student support, or other related student-facing roles.

Senior Academic Advisor additional minimum qualifications:

• Two (2) years documented experience in academic advising, student support, or other related student facing roles.
• Able to manage a high volume of complex and varied client needs.
• Able to recognize at-risk individuals and provide appropriate support and direction.
• Highly knowledgeable with respect to FERPA, Title IX.

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

• Bachelors degree in science or mathematics discipline.
• Master's degree in education, science, mathematics or related field.
• Experience serving or working with a large culturally diverse population.
• Experience supervising staff or students.
• Able to manage a high volume of complex and varied client needs.
• Able to recognize at-risk individuals and provide appropriate support and direction.
• Highly knowledgeable with respect to FERPA, Title IX and all University Academic Rules and Regulations.

Senior Academic Advisor additional preferred qualifications:

• Professional teaching experience.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• Required to work some nights and weekends.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employees 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

Academic Advisor: Level 25

Senior Academic Advisor: Level 26

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. ()

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Advertised: Jul 15 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 19 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

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Job Tags

Full time, Work at office, Trial period, Night shift, Weekend work, Monday to Friday,

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