Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor (Hybrid Opportunity) at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 526737

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 valued-and 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 (CNS)

The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) houses 14 departments and offers more than 20 undergraduate majors to approximately 7,000 students. CNS is the largest of the university's colleges and offers a comprehensive range of student services and advising. To better serve the students and ensure student academic success, the college is transitioning to a model of professional advising for all majors with the goal of increasing retention, degree completion, equity of access to advising, and career outcomes.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of a CNS Assistant Director of Advising, the Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor provides comprehensive advising for College of Natural Sciences (CNS) to upper-level students in various CNS majors. This position works closely with other advising personnel and department-based Faculty Mentors to ensure high quality advising and academic services for all 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

• Provide comprehensive, individualized, and small group advising to a diverse population of students during the calendar year, including new student orientation/registration periods and current student registration periods. 


• Partner with faculty, Faculty Mentors and First Year Advisor(s) of their advisees to successfully build community within the major and transition sophomores and transfer students into upper level advising.


• Respond to common issues such as registration-related matters including fulfilling the university's general education requirements, interpreting major, minor, and college requirements, and providing guidance for course enrollment.


• Assist students with matters that involve goal setting, self-assessment, time management skills, planning, course selection, and decision-making such as establishing an academic plan for on-time completion.


• Assist students in identifying and accessing aligned extracurricular activities, such as internships that promote student success.


• Identify and respond to at-risk students experiencing academic and critical personal difficulties by addressing relevant issues and making appropriate referrals to university agencies.


• Provide proactive and responsive interventions to support student success.


• Provide targeted outreach and support to upper level students on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, and returning from Suspension.


• Respond to inquiries from parents in accordance with FERPA in a highly professional and respectful manner.


• Contribute to developing and offering activities and workshops for CNS students, including information sessions about CNS majors for current and prospective students.


• Participate in CNS activities and events, including Fall Visit Days, Destination Days, Senior Celebration, Undergraduate Commencement, and others that may be developed.


• Represent CNS undergraduate student success on college and university-level committees and councils.


• Assist in training new professional and graduate student advisors.


• Contribute to major graduation clearance process. Maintain familiarity with all changes in degree programs and execute college curricular exceptions.

Senior Academic Advisor additional essential functions:

• Mentor less experienced academic advisors with advising best practices and in addressing complex advising challenges.


• Responsible for major graduation clearance process.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusion.


• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community to support the college's and campus strategic initiatives.


• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of CNS and its departments.

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

• Bachelor's degree.


• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications skills.


• Strong organizational skills.


• Documented experience in academic advising, student support, or other related student-facing roles.


• Ability to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively. 


• Demonstrated commitment to continued learning or professional development in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice issues.

Senior Academic Advisor additional minimal qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience in academic advising, counseling, student support, or other related student facing roles.


• Able to recognize at-risk individuals and provide appropriate support and direction.

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

• Bachelor's 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 workschedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's 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

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and statement of advising. The statement of advising should identify your advising values and address your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 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.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Mar 17 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Jun 22 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

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