Career opportunity for a knowledgeable professional to support the advising operations of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL). Successful incumbent will possess the ability to have a positive impact on students, staff, and faculty through work as a member of the TEAL advising team.

This position will be physically located at the USU Main Campus in Logan.  Review of applications will begin approximately June 23, 2022. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2022, depending on the availability of the selected candidate.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Academic Advisor Senior is distinguished from the Academic Advisor in at least one of three ways: 1) incumbents work to improve and implement the core advising methods and/or practices; 2) incumbents research best practices and share that information with advisors in their unit and/or the advising community; or 3) incumbents may coordinate advising services throughout the USU system.

Incumbents in the Academic Advisor/Academic Advisor Senior position advise prospective, current, and former students. Incumbents complete advising responsibilities for caseloads of students in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and education-based Interdisciplinary/General Studies majors. Incumbents work closely with the TEAL Academic Advising Supervisor and the other members of the TEAL advising team to complete additional advisement responsibilities. Incumbents communicate with staff/advisors/faculty from TEAL/other USU departments, prepare and update advising materials, attend advisor, department, and college-level meetings, and facilitate/participate in on/off-campus TEAL student orientation, advising and recruitment meetings/activities (occasional evening hours and travel are required). This position requires a background check.

Typical Functions—Academic Advisor

1. Provides advising services in person, by phone, or by email.
2. Provides accurate information related to curriculum, graduation requirements, and university policies and procedures.
3. Creates semester-by-semester graduation plan in DegreeWorks and monitors students’ progress toward their declared major.
4. Provides information and strategies to utilize available campus resources and services.
5. Maintains confidentiality.
6. Assists students in making responsible and informed decisions impacting academic progress.
7. Encourages and guides students as they define and develop realistic goals.
8. Assists students to understand the purpose of higher education and the impact on life goals.
9. Discusses the benefits of building a learning community, network, and support system among peers, professors, and mentors.
10. Makes appropriate referrals to other university and non-university resources.
11. Maintains records and documentation of advising interactions.
12. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Typical Functions--Academic Advisor Senior

13. Works with department administrators to proactively identify academically at-risk students and develop programming to connect those students with appropriate resources to facilitate student success.
14. Promotes environments that provide meaningful opportunities for student learning, development, and engagement.
15. Understands appropriate technologies and integrates them into programs and services and consistently uses such tools to be proactive in monitoring student progress and serving the student.
16. Researches and shares advising-related best practices for the College, University, and advising community on student development topics.
17. May coordinate advising services throughout the state by serving as liaison to the regional campuses.

Minimum Qualifications—Academic Advisor

1. Bachelor’s degree in related field.
2. Strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and written communication skills.
3. Excellent attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications—Academic Advisor Senior

1. Bachelor’s degree in related field plus two years of relevant experience is required.
2. Strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and written communication skills.
3. Excellent attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in related field or working toward the degree.
2. Experience advising undergraduate-level students
3. Knowledge of academic advising and current student persistence/retention practices
4. Knowledge of student analytics programs
5. Excellent computer skills, including experience with Word, Excel.
6. Knowledge of Utah State University (USU) systems (e.g., Banner, eGrad, and Degree Works).
7. Experience with university-level professional advising, student orientation and recruitment, and elementary and secondary teacher education programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities—Academic Advisor

1. Verbal and written communication skills and effective public speaking skills including ability to communicate with individuals as well as groups.
2. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and changing needs.
3. Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
4. Ability to work with students in 1:1 or group advising settings.
5. Ability to learn and maintain current knowledge of complex program requirements, policies, and procedures.
6. Ability to work with diverse student backgrounds.
7. Ability to develop and/or deliver programs.
8. Knowledge of and proficiency in a variety of current and emerging technology platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities—Academic Advisor Senior

1. Ability to work independently and communicate institutional policies, procedures, and language to the general population.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the needs of a specialized population.
3. Ability to research, implement, and share advising-related best practices for the College, University, and advising community on student development topics.
4. Ability to motivate students in 1:1 or group advising settings.
5. Ability to use professional judgement in ambiguous situations.
6. Verbal and written communication skills and effective public speaking skills including ability to communicate with individuals as well as groups.
7. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and changing needs with verification of working collaboratively within a team environment.
8. Ability to learn and maintain current knowledge of complex program requirements, policies, and procedures.
9. Ability to work with diverse student backgrounds.
10. Ability to develop and/or deliver programs.
11. Knowledge of and proficiency in a variety of current and emerging technology platforms.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Current resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. A list of the names and contact information of four professional references, at least two of which must be current or previous direct supervisors
3. Documents below to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
   • A cover letter specifically addressing how you meet the minimum and preferred job qualifications
   • A statement of your personal philosophy of university-level student advising

Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair, Bobbi Crabtree at bobbi.crabtree@usu.edu.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Department Highlights

The School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) continues its tradition of land-grant outreach, delivering quality teacher education to preservice and in-service cohorts. TEAL offers an array of baccalaureate and graduate degrees, including a distance-delivered doctorate, within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. TEAL provides outreach programs within the University's Statewide Campuses system, including an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers. The department provides the highest number of graduates to become teachers in the state of Utah. The mission of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership is to inspire and prepare effective and reflective educators, scholars, and leaders through dynamic learning experiences; diverse knowledge and thought; school, community, and global engagement; and research and innovation that inform practice. The department consists of 40 faculty representing diverse areas of education and is one of the most productive units in the college. Faculty enjoy collaborative relationships with those in the department as well as other departments in the college. The undergraduate program boasts award-winning faculty with leadership positions in national and international organizations with a focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning. This position will be physically located in Logan at the main campus.  

College Highlights

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provide students with real-world service and research opportunities.

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employees 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.

USU Land Acknowledgment

Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Old Main Rm. 161, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Hilary Renshaw, titleix@usu.edu, Old Main Rm. 161, 435-797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

*updated 04/18/2022