Academic Advisor II, Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences

PAY GRADE: 29E 

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences (HBNS) provides academic services for the more than 750 undergraduate students. HBNS offers five undergraduate majors, six minors, nine graduate programs, two graduate certificate programs, and a rich array of classroom, research, laboratory, real-world clinical, service, and experiential learning opportunities.

Under general direction of the HBNS Department Chair and in conjunction with the College of Health Sciences Assistant Dean of Student Services, the Academic Advisor II will be responsible for the academic advisement of current HBNS junior and senior students as well as development of program marketing and recruitment plans for the undergraduate majors within the department. The position will assist with course registration, senior checkout, student programming, related undergraduate student activities and orientation as necessary.  The Academic Advisor II helps in the development of programs and events for prospective students and supports programs and University wide initiatives for entering freshmen and transfer students.  In addition, they work closely with the Office of Undergraduate Student Services (USS), who provide academic services for all students in the College of Health Sciences.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide advisement services to junior and senior Health Behavior and Nutrition Science undergraduate students. Advisement services include guiding students to formulate educational goals and to make appropriate educational decisions to reach their goals. Provide course recommendations to students using departmental four-year plans, the undergraduate catalog, and other academic-related resources as a guide facilitating timely degree completion, student success, and UD’s “Finish in Four” initiative. 
• Monitor and document the progress of assigned student populations and conduct proactive, targeted outreach to specific student populations about advisement, especially to those in special academic circumstances, to improve graduation and retention rates.
• Coordinate and participate in recruitment and pre-admission activities, such as organizing prospective student visits and presenting academic information to orientation groups, potential students and their families.
• Maintain regular contact with USS for the purpose of sharing updated academic information and coordinate academic advisement with the USS Advisors for a smooth advisement transition in junior year.
• Interpret policy, explain GPA and academic standing, review transfer credits, and provide guidance on majors, minors, and other related academic matters.
• Audit degree program requirements for individual students and assist with degree checkout and degree certification.
• Disseminate accurate and up-to-date academic information and policies to students, faculty, and others.
• Provide information and referrals to Academic Coaching and Tutoring (ACT) for students seeking assistance due to academic concerns.; ensure ACT is aware of the tutoring needs of HBNS majors.
• Provide support and referral services to students, working with offices such as the Office of the Dean of Students, the Community Standards and Conflict Resolution, , the Center for Counseling and Student Development, Career Services, Admissions, and Residence Life & Housing.
• Assist in the development and coordination of a variety of programs and workshops for students, families, and faculty.
• Attend and assist with recruitment events, convocation, and other undergraduate events as needed.
• Stay current of industry best practices through educational/training opportunities and membership in professional organizations. Implement advising best practices into the department advising model.
• Perform other advisement-related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with three years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in student personnel, college counseling or a related field preferred.
• Experience in academic advising in higher education.
• Ability to grasp, retain, and disseminate an extensive, varied, and dynamic body of information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and employ decision-making skills.
• Ability to evaluate student transcripts and/or records.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. 
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data.
• Effective leadership, organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to present information effectively to groups and to work productively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with PeopleSoft (and/or UD’s system, UDSIS) and retention or student success software, such as EAB Navigate (and/or UD’s system, Blue Hen Success) preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Will occasionally be required to work evenings and weekends.
• This is a hybrid schedule of remote and in-office work, which is subject to change at the discretion of the Department, College or University