<p>The Academic Advising Center at Northern Illinois University provides developmental academic advising for first-year students in all majors, as well as students who are undecided and exploring majors . It is housed within the Office of Undergraduate Studies in the Division of Academic Affairs.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>Program Advisors educate the whole student through a developmental, student-focused approach and are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students throughout their first year on campus, along with contributing to the development of student learning outcomes and assessment.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</p> <p>Academic Advising - 50%</p> <ul> <li>Provide individual and small group academic advising to first-year students, helping them understand academic requirements, placement results, and course options. </li><li>Engage in individual and small group work with students (via scheduled appointments, drop-ins, phone, online video, and email interactions) and perform related administrative duties. </li><li>Follow all advising protocols and use campus advising tools such as NAVIGATE and maintain a multidisciplinary knowledge base. </li><li>Assist students in planning for and making informed decisions about a choice of major, intended college outcomes, and potential career or graduate school direction. </li><li>Help students to assess their interests, values, and academic skills. </li><li>Teach students how to navigate the systems, academic processes, key deadlines, and policies at NIU. </li><li>Review students' academic records and discuss appropriate course choices. </li><li>Maintain accurate advising notes and student records using tools like PeopleSoft, Navigate and OnBase. </li><li>Attend training, staff meetings, and contribute to ongoing initiatives to improve the first year advising experience. </li></ul> <p>Student Outreach & Support - 30%</p> <ul> <li>Guide students to campus services such as academic support, tutoring, career development, and wellness resources. </li><li>Proactively track, contact, and work with various student populations (e.g., early alert, high-risk, first generation, students in academic difficulty, etc.). </li><li>Participate in first-year programming and training, both college-based and campus-wide, in collaboration with faculty and other academic advisors. </li><li>Work closely with campus partners to develop, coordinate, and assess programming for new students during orientation and Week of Welcome events. </li><li>Participate in student-facing activities as assigned. </li></ul> <p>New Student Orientation & Registration Support - 20%</p> <ul> <li>Assist with orientation sessions by facilitating advising presentations, leading course registration sessions, and preparing advising materials. </li><li>Work with students to personalize their academic paths, identify individual goals, and create corresponding action plans, including offering co-curricular guidance that complement their goals, academic support resources and referrals to campus and community resources. </li><li>Advise students with course registration during New Student Orientation for first year and transfer students. </li><li>Conduct proactive outreach to new students through email, phone, and university platforms to ensure preparation for orientation and first-semester success. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's Degree </li><li>Additional education or other formal training in an area of specialization inherent to the position may be required. </li></ul> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)</p> <ul> <li>Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing quality educational guidance. This includes student needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of student satisfaction. </li><li>Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in the presentation and delivery of academic programs, strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, recruitment methods, and coordination of people and resources. </li><li>Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. </li><li>Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. </li><li>Knowledge of educational, evaluation, and measurement principles, practices, methods, and techniques, university policies and procedures. </li><li>Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively; ability to develop a rapport with students. </li><li>Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. </li><li>Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff. </li></ul> <p>Specialty Factors (Civil Service)</p> <ul> <li> <p>One of the following:</p> </li><li> <p>Two (2) years of academic advising related experience in higher education or experience related to the hiring unit.</p> </li><li> <p>Master's degree, AND one (1) year of professional experience in higher education, leadership, student personnel, or academic advising.</p> </li><li> <p>Experience working in academic advising in a university setting.</p> </li><li> <p>Proven ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Exceptional attention to detail.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-paced environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrated passion for working with students within a high-volume setting.</p> </li><li> <p>Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.</p> </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <ul> <li>Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, or a related field. </li><li>Two years of academic advising experience in a higher education setting. </li><li>Experience working with first-year, first-generation or at-risk student populations. </li><li>Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. </li><li>Familiarity with student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Navigate, etc.). </li><li>Ability to learn and utilize technology for advising and communication. </li><li>Bilingual/Spanish-speaking. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Additional Requirements (SPS)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications (SPS)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Physical demands/requirements</p> <ul> <li>General office requirements. </li><li>Long period of time seated or stationary. </li><li>Work may require some flexibility or evening/weekend work. </li></ul>