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Penn State Job Catalog

Academic Adviser – Senior Professional (PSU1183)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Strings

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Academic Advising



Job Summary and Representative Duties

Academic Advisers provide academic evaluation, guidance, and assistance to students; assess student interests and performance; identify needs and opportunities to advance student academic goals; advise on course selection, scheduling, program requirements, and degree progress; contribute to the unit's advising program including orientations, workshops, and recruiting and retention efforts; implement improvements to advising services.

  • Provide holistic and proactive advising services; evaluate student needs; advise students in course selection, registration, scheduling, credit transfers, and degree requirement satisfaction; monitor academic progress; maintain and ensure confidentiality of student records
  • Identify students experiencing academic difficulty; develop academic improvement plans; connect students with student support services, wellness, and learning resources; make referrals as needed; develop partnerships with faculty to coordinate academic interventions
  • Discuss and explore academic, personal, and professional interests and goals with students; develop comprehensive plans to support academic and career advancement; identify learning experiences to complement and advance student goals including research, study abroad, service learning, and co-curricular opportunities
  • Utilize the student success platform to communicate with advisees, document interactions, track student progress, compile and analyze student data, and generate reports
  • Coordinate, develop, deliver, and direct college or major specific advising programs including New Student Orientation, peer advising programs, first year seminars, information sessions, or curriculum planning workshops; participate, contribute to, and present at various college and University-wide educational programs including Commencement, Parents and Families Weekend, Summer Bridge programs, and college prospect sessions
  • Interpret, apply, and ensure student compliance with University academic policies and procedures
  • Contribute to the development of enrollment enhancement plans; participate in recruitment and retention activities; conduct meetings for prospective students/families, high school counselors, and University staff
  • Represent and provide expertise related to assigned major; maintain knowledge of specific educational requirements and opportunities; conduct surveys of industry trends and pursue relevant internship opportunities; highlight degree program strengths, achievements, and benefits to prospective students and families
  • Liaise with college undergraduate office or departmental advising offices; provide information relevant to assigned major or undergraduate program; develop resources for various audiences including faculty, students, departmental staff, and external audiences
  • May evaluate academic advising services; research, propose, and implement new evidence based advising approaches or technologies
  • May supervise or mentor staff members including hiring, training and development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Senior Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
Problem Solving:
– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
Independence of Action:
– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 9
  • Minimum – $56,200.00
  • MidPoint – $68,800.00
  • Maximum – $81,500.00
Critical Skills
  • Advising
  • Consulting
  • Customer Service
  • Data Analysis
  • Data validation
  • Database management
  • Document management
  • Records management
  • Reporting
  • Scheduling
  • Writing
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Master's Degree
Minimum Experience
6+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience accepted