Montana 10, Academic Advisor II

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 Montana 10 (MT 10)invites applications for an Academic Advisor IIto support the academic success of students and serve as an advisor for admitted Pell eligible students at the University of Montana (UM). This position will serve as a continuous point of contact for students at the University of Montana. This advisor will be responsible for ensuring that all pre-admission criteria, including, but not limited to housing, meal plans, financial aid, health holds, referrals to support offices, student employment, transcripts, dual credit, insurance mandatory tutorials and technological supports are in place or completed prior to new student orientation.  They will onboard and outboard students within the program with the intention of retaining students within the system.

The MT 10 advisor will carry a caseload of students whose majors are in a variety of colleges and schools as well as undeclared students. The advisor will meet a minimum of once a month with their students and support student daily on a walk-in/video-in basis. With this, the MT 10 advisor will continue to work closely with and support students through the entirety of their enrollment at UM. This support includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Reviewing student progress and use of community and academic support services.
• Consistent outreach to instructors and other UM staff to support student success.
• Accompanying students to meet with various departments on campus to ensure that any barriers to the students’ continuation at UM are resolved (i.e., financial aid, business services, mental health services).
• Referring students to campus and community resources as needed to address barriers.
• Working in a team setting to create a wraparound support network for MT 10 students.
• Carrying out best practices in advising and objective set by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

The MT10 advisor will collaborate closely with academic departments and primary advising contacts in each College and School. This is to ensure smooth transitions of each student into respective academic departments into majors after initial advising and general education evaluation is complete. This position is also responsible for tracking students’ progress and will adhere to the MT10 guidelines and associated best practices in advising. This position is contingent of future funding from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated commitment to students and to public education.

• Ability to learn, in detail, undergraduate curriculums at UM.
• Understanding of the principles of academic coaching.
• Understanding of historical trauma, systematic discrimination, and institutionalized
• Ability to advise students regarding a myriad of issues from course selection to withdrawals and reinstatements to support services, financial aid, and referrals to counseling and tutoring.
• Knowledge of FERPA guidelines and ability to talk in accordance with federal statutes with parents and others concerned about a student’s welfare.
• Excellent verbal, written and listening skills.
• Experience using computer software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Microsoft Outlook.
• Ability to collect and maintain student performance data to document patterns associated with retention.
• Ability to collaborate with the Office of Admissions, financial aid and serve as an initial point of contact for all MT10 students considering UM.
• Ability to advise MT10 students on academic standards, major selection and requirements, General Education requirements, and academic policies and procedures.

Minimum Required Experience

• Associate’s degree and three (3) years academic advising experience or related experience in a higher education setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic skills in active listening, rapport building and/or individualized student support models.
• Knowledge of basic counseling and communication principles consistent with brief therapy, acceptance commitment therapy and motivational interviewing.
• Background in Social Work

About Montana 10 and UM

Montana 10 is a Montana University System scholarship and program at the University of Montana and Missoula College. The program offers academic, social, and financial supports designed to help students succeed in college.

Students who become Montana 10 Scholars will be part of a special group of students all across Montana leading the way in a new way of doing college—a kind of college where students have the financial support they need, a community that knows them and supports them as individuals, and the specialized academic support that will help them to achieve their education goals and successfully launch their careers.

The University of Montana is 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 three rivers converge. 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:              NEW

Department:                       Montana 10

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: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 by 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. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

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