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The UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING CENTER invites applications for a PRE-NURSING/PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY ADVISOR (ACADEMIC ADVISOR II) to support the academic success of students and serving as the primary academic advisor for Pre-Nursing students on the UM Mountain Campus completing prerequisite coursework for application to Nursing programs in the state of Montana and nationally. This position serves as the initial advisor for students pursuing Pre-Physical Therapy and planning to apply to the Physical Therapy Graduate program at UM or similar programs at other postsecondary institutions. This position will also carry a general advising caseload of Undeclared/Exploratory students. Additionally, this position will meet with students on a walk-in basis, providing information and academic advising assistance to students who utilize the UAC for walk-in academic advising assistance.

This position is responsible for fostering relationships and developing meaningful collaboration with Missoula College’s Nursing program and other Nursing program contacts in the state of Montana, including Mt. Tech of UM and Montana State University.  This position will also be responsible for establishing relationships with academic departments on campus in addition to the Physical Therapy program at UM to support the academic success of students pursuing Nursing and Physical Therapy and ensuring that Pre-Nursing and Pre-Physical Therapy students establish meaningful connections with their academic department of major while working towards fulfilling their pre-professional program requirements. Due to the competitive nature of Pre-Professional programs in the Health Sciences, position will encourage advisees to consider and plan for alternative options for completion of an undergraduate degree if not admitted into primary professional program(s) of pursuit.

The Academic Advisor II will:

• Establish general knowledge of all undergraduate program degree requirements at UM.
• Establish expertise in conducting General Education requirement evaluations.
• Establish expertise in conducting prerequisite coursework evaluations for primary Nursing programs students are applying to, including Missoula College’s ASN program.
• Establish expertise on Physical Therapy prerequisite requirements and an understanding of applications and admissions process into Physical Therapy graduate programs.
• Coordinate and collaborate with UM’s Physical Therapy Program and Missoula College’s Nursing Program Directors to provide students with informational and engagement opportunities to learn more about Physical Therapy and Nursing programs and form connections with contacts in each respective program.
• Ensure each student has a firm understanding of professional program requirements and student expectations for applying to a professional program of pursuit.
• Collect and maintain student performance data to document patterns associated with retention.
• Identify students with poor academic performance and decreased chances for admissions into pre-professional programs and provide guidance to them for consideration of alternative undergraduate programs of pursuit.
• Work with students to develop strategies to overcome difficulties by identifying and addressing factors contributing to poor academic performance.
• Act as a liaison between students and academic departments.
• Develop an awareness of support resources and support services on campus and connect students to resources on an as-needed basis.
• Collaborate with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and UM Health and Medicine to recruit students and serve as an initial point of contact for all prospective Nursing and Physical Therapy students considering UM. Actively participate in Admissions-related events, including UM Days and other prospective student campus visits.
• Advise prospective and incoming transfer students on academic program planning.
• Advise Pre-Nursing, Physical Therapy and Undeclared/Exploratory students on academic standards, major selection and requirements, General Education requirements, and academic policies and procedures.
• Train and coach students in the use of academic resources.
• Utilize various student information systems and advising technologies (including Cyberbear, Degree Works and Degree Planner, Starfish and Banner 9) to assess student progress and document advising interactions.
• Assist students with academic appeals, withdrawal petitions, reinstatement plans, degree planning and graduation applications.
• Connect students to relevant co-curricular and career support resources, including student clubs, internships, conferences, study abroad and National Student Exchange.
• Coordinate with the UM Foundation and Financial Aid Office to create awareness among Nursing students of scholarship opportunities and encourage them to apply for scholarships through the Scholarship portal. The position is also responsible for forming and overseeing scholarship review committee, awarding scholarships and notification of award to recipients in addition to acceptance requirements.

All professional staff members in the UAC carry a caseload of Undeclared/Exploratory students. They serve as the primary academic advisor from the point of entry until the student formally declares an academic major. This position requires incumbent to develop working knowledge to skillfully conduct advising appointments, foster relationships with advisees leading to enriched undergraduate experiences and to assist students in assessing options and making sound decisions to support their academic success.

This position works collaboratively as part of the UAC team, including brainstorming and problem-solving on developing, modifying and executing strategies, timelines, techniques and methods for delivery of existing and new advising scenarios. Provides back up support to OSS reception area as needed.  Participates in student outreach campaigns as needed. 

This position requires incumbent to develop a working knowledge of undergraduate degree program requirements at UM; develop a working knowledge of the University of Montana General Education curriculum; develop a working knowledge of University of Montana academic policies and procedures; develop a working knowledge of advising technologies; develop professional relationships with academic departments and other advising and admissions contacts at community colleges throughout state of Montana; and develop a working knowledge of UM campus support resources and services offices.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated commitment to students and to public education
• Ability to advise students regarding a myriad of issues from course selection to withdrawals and reinstatements to support services and referrals such as 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 communication skills, including verbal, written and listening and feedback skills
• Knowledge in the use of computer software programs, including MS Word, Excel and MS Outlook.
• Ability to make sound decisions and provide quality academic advising in often difficult and complex student situations
• Ability to listen and demonstrate patience in determining student situations and how best to effectively support and provide critical, accurate, consistent and timely information to students
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and create and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to learn quickly, adapt to change, and take initiative as appropriate

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in addition to two (2) years of academic advising experience; or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

About the Undergraduate Advising Center and UM

The mission of the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) is to provide comprehensive academic advising and related programming supporting the academic success of students.

The UAC is an academic support unit within the Office for Student Success (OSS).  Located in the Lommasson Center, the UAC is the academic advising home for all Undeclared/Exploratory, freshman Media Arts, Pre-Nursing, undergraduate non-degree, and freshman Pre-Medical Sciences and Pre-Physical Therapy students whose primary majors are Undeclared/Exploratory.

The UAC also provides assistance to students campus-wide regarding General Education requirements, registration support, major identification and declaration, academic petitions and graduation applications. The UAC strives to connect students to beneficial campus services and resources, in addition to co-curricular opportunities available at UM and in the Missoula community.

Collaboration with our campus partners is a core strength of the UAC and OSS.  The UAC and OSS collectively serve as the hub of campus advising services, acting as a central resource for faculty and department-based advisors and working collaboratively with recruitment, orientation and retention based programs and services on campus.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life. 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.

Position Details

POSITION TITLE:                    PRE-NURSING/PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY ADVISOR (ACADEMIC ADVISOR II)

POSITION NUMBER:              NEW

DEPARTMENT:                       Undergraduate Advising Center

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:                                $15.984/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:               Montana Federation of Public Employees (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).

How to Apply

APPLICATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below 

A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

1. LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position.
2. DETAILED RESUME – listing education and describing work experience.
3. PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Need additional help? Check out our UM Jobs FAQ website.

Required Skills Required Experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to drive large passenger vehicles for the center, if needed.
• Willing to work beyond normal working hours and during disastrous circumstances, if needed.
• Must be capable of performing the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to relate positively and favorably to residents, families, and outside agencies and to work cooperatively with other associates.
• May be subject to infectious diseases, substances, contaminated articles, cuts, bruises, falls, odors, etc.
• Must be able to function independently, have personal integrity, have flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with or without other personnel and co-workers.
• Ability to remain calm and cope with the mental and emotional stress of this position.