Academic Advisor II, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana’s career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College.  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.

The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation invites applications for an Academic Advisor II to join their team. In this role you will advise undergraduate students in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation which requires familiarity with academic requirements for natural resource majors, University of Montana (UM) general education requirements, and software programs used by UM to advise students.

 Specific job responsibilities include:

• Advising students on selecting and scheduling classes.
• Helping each student develop an individualized plan to accomplish the student’s educational objectives and ensure all requirements are met for graduation.
• Maintaining electronic advising records for each student and sharing those records with the faculty mentors within the College.
• Core course registration of incoming first-year students.
• Initial evaluation of transcripts of transfer students.
• Helping in administering scholarships and awards.
• Working knowledge of advising technologies to review student records, document appointments and track student progress.
• Leading students in assessing options and making sound decisions to support their academic success.
• Reviewing and approving graduation applications.

In this position you will independently make decisions as to how to most effectively and efficiently advise students with variable advising needs.  Some students require considerable advising assistance in order to be successful, whereas other students require minimal assistance.  To be both efficient and effective, you must put in place advising procedures that are tailored to the different needs of students.  You will be expected to recognize the different advising needs of a diverse student body and be inclusive of all students. 

Required Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with students, staff, faculty and administration.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written and listening and feedback skills.
• Knowledge in the use of computer software programs, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook.
• Ability to learn related software applications.
• Ability to listen and demonstrate patience in determining student situations and how best to effectively support and provide critical, accurate, consistent and timely information.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and create and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently while providing attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Professional and personable demeanor.
• Ability to gather, evaluate and report data.
• Ability to manage occasionally stressful or difficult situations while maintaining composure.
• The ability to learn the academic requirements of the different majors within the College, UM general education requirements, and the Americans with Disability Act.
• Knowledge of University academic policies and processes including probation and suspension, reinstatements, withdrawals, waitlists, and course petitions.
• Experience with academic advising
• Ability to identify and develop strategies to address factors contributing to poor academic performance and how they can be successful moving forward.
• Ability to assist students with how to use academic resources.
• Knowledge of FERPA guidelines.
• Ability to effectively use (or the ability to learn) Banner, Degree Works, and Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Access, Excel, Word, and Powerpoint).

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education setting.

About the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation and UM  

Demonstrated through innovative teaching, research, and service, the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation empowers society and its future leaders to better understand and more effectively conserve, restore, and sustain complex social-ecological systems in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

The University of Montana is a flagship research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and the convergence of three rivers. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.  The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

Position Details

Position Title:                    Academic Advisor II

Position Number:              070260

Department:                       W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation

Work Schedule:                 Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year

Salary:                                $19.03/hr Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation:               FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period:        Six months minimum

Benefits Include :               Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran’s Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Sunday, January 21, 2024by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking “New Resume/CV” button.  Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

A complete application Includes:

Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.

Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.

Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application.  Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the “How to Apply” section.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above. 

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

Missoula, Montana, United States