POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Academic Advisor, WP
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1147
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Coordinator of Academic Advisement
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Dean of Academic Affairs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Academic Advisor assists assigned students in the development of academic schedules
appropriate for their stated educational goals, guides pre-majors in the selection
of academic majors, and directs students to resources within the University that provide
assistance in making career/academic major choices, as appropriate.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree is required.
Experience: At least one year of academic advising experience is required, where knowledge
of federal, state, and higher education policies and procedures has been gained, or
one year of university employment in which a thorough knowledge of academic programs
was required. Teaching experience is preferred.
Skills: Excellent verbal 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 occasionally requires work in the evenings and on
weekends, especially during the summer STAR sessions.
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-West Plains,
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
pre-majors 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. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining advisee files
for all assigned advisees, regularly updating advisee academic reports, and validating
the information contained in the advisee files with the student database.
3. Helps ensure the success of the Student Advising and Registration (STAR) Program
by complying with the decisions of the STAR Committee regarding orientation and registration
activities and providing STAR participants with instructions and pertinent information
related to the orientation and matriculation of all new students.
4. May assist freshman students in the transition to university life by teaching or
participating in appropriate courses or the student success course, IDS 110 (The University
in the Global Community) which includes topics such as time management, study skills,
available campus resources, career exploration, and other topics/issues affecting
freshman students or other appropriate courses.
5. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing
professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses,
and attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor.
6. Contributes to the overall success of academic affairs by performing all other
duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Academic Advisor is supervised by the Coordinator of Academic Advisement 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 2.0 - 900 Points: Entry-level professional knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, and methods of non-technical administrative and managerial functions. Knowledge permits the employee to carry out basic recurring tasks and routine portions of assignments or to carry out less demanding professional elements of assignments in areas including communications, social sciences, art and design, education, and related functions while gaining in 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 to complete stages of a multi-phase project. 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 an unspecified field or a specific background in a non-technical area. Knowledge requirements may also include a limited amount of 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.
