POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Academic Advisor
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1145
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Academic Advising and Transfer Center
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Academic Advisor assists undeclared and interdisciplinary students in the development
of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals, directs students
to University resources that provide assistance in career planning and academic success,
and guides undeclared students in the selection of an academic program.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master's degree is required.
Experience: At least one year of high school or higher education work experience in
which a thorough knowledge of academic programs was required. Academic advising experience
is preferred, where knowledge of federal, state, and higher education policies and
procedures has been gained. Teaching experience is preferred.
Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills (particularly
in working with a diverse student population), organizational and management skills
are required. A working knowledge of various computer applications is required; experience
with database applications is preferred.
Other: The scope of the position minimally requires work in the evenings and on weekends.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides an essential student service of academic advisement by being knowledgeable
of academic policies and procedures, unique to Missouri State University, that facilitate
the advisement process and assist assigned students in the development of academic
schedules appropriate for the stated educational goals of students; guiding students
in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions;
assisting all students (not just advisees) seeking academic information; assisting
undeclared students in the selection of academic majors; and directing students to
resources within the University that provide assistance in making career and academic
major choices.
2. Participates in activities and programs that recruit and support interdisciplinary
majors and/or advise interdisciplinary majors, helps select appropriate academic schedules
for their stated academic goals and guides these students to resources for academic
success and preparation for post-graduation goals. Works cooperatively with the Office
of the Registrar in preparing general studies majors for graduation.
3. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining electronic advising
notes for all assigned advisees and using information in the student database system
to advise students appropriately.
4. Supports the Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) Program regarding orientation
and registration activities and providing SOAR participants with instructions and
pertinent information related to the orientation and matriculation of all new students.
5. Assists first-year students in the transition to university life by teaching and/or
participating in appropriate courses or the student success course, GEP 101 (First
Year Foundation) which includes topics such as time management, study skills, available
campus resources, career exploration, and other topics/issues affecting first-year
students or other appropriate courses.
6. Maintains competency and professional currency through self-directed professional
reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional
development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor.
7. Supports advisor training and development initiatives of the Academic Advising
and Transfer Center.
8. Contributes to the overall success of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center
by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Academic Advisor is supervised by the Director, Academic Advising and Transfer
Center and generally exercises no supervision of others.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2025
JOB FAMILY 4
Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery
Level 3.0 - 1500 Points: Entry-level knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, and methods of an administrative, managerial, technical, or professional specialty. Knowledge permits employee to carry out basic recurring tasks and routine portions of assignments or to carry out less demanding professional elements of assignments in professional or technical areas including accounting or auditing, financial management, business administration, human resources, law, engineering, science, or medicine, while gaining familiarity with the University's policies and goals, business practices, and/or accounting systems. This level of knowledge permits the employee to schedule and carry out the steps of a limited operation or project, or to complete stages of a multi-phase project. Alternatively, knowledge at this level might also permit the employee to carry out recurring tasks and routine assignments requiring moderate experience in specific areas within higher education. Knowledge at this level is typically acquired through a combination of formal education and/or training and experience that includes a requirement for a college degree in a specific technical or professional specialty. Knowledge requirements may also include a limited amount of related work experience. Alternatively, equivalent knowledge requirements at this level include a non-technical or general Bachelor's degree requirement with a moderate level of additional related work experience or a non-specific Master's degree requirement with some related work experience.
Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility
Level 1.0 - 50 Points: Typically, little, if any, supervision of others is required. The job may require irregular but occasional responsibility to direct the work of student workers and/or temporary or part-time workers. The nature of supervision is largely confined to assigning tasks to others and does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities. The amount of time spent on directing the work of others is normally a small portion of total work time.
Factor 3: Interactions with Others
Level 3.0 - 250 Points: The purpose of interactions is to advise or counsel others to solve recurring and structured problems, and/or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals in situations where relationships are generally cooperative. Interactions are moderately structured and routine and may involve employees in different functions, students, and/or the general public. These types of interactions require normal interpersonal skills.
Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines
Level 2.0 - 250 Points: The employee carries out a group of procedures using the general methods and desired results indicated by the supervisor. Typically, standard operating procedures, handbooks, and/or reference manuals exist for most procedures, but the employee must select from the most appropriate of several guidelines and make minor adjustments to methods. Unforeseen situations are normally referred to others for resolution. Assignments are related in function and objective, but processes, procedures, or software varies from one assignment to another. Based on the assignment, the employee uses diverse, but conventional, methods, techniques, or approaches. Employees in jobs at this level may perform work that is moderately complex, but normally performed within a fairly narrow and specific functional area.
Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility
Level 2.0 - 400 Points: Work involves services including collecting, processing, and disseminating information and providing advice to others. Work activities may be complex and likely affect the accuracy, reliability, or acceptability of further processes or services to the extent that others rely on the advice given in order to make decisions. Work activities typically affect the efficiency of the department but have relatively minor effects on operations within the cost center. Individuals in jobs at this level are often responsible for actively documenting, monitoring, and controlling expenditures. Incumbents may recommend minor expenditures, but have no substantive authority over budgets.
