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Assistant Director, SBS Pathways Center

Employer
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location
UMass Amherst

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Administrative Jobs
Academic Affairs, International Programs
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Job no: 508244
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Advising Center
Union: PSU
Categories: Academic Advising & Learning Resources, Professional Staff Union (PSU), College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Pathways Center directs the day-to-day operation of SBS Exploratory Track advising and assists the Assistant Dean of Advising with planning and execution of operations related to the SBS Advising Network. Guided by the SBS Exploratory Track Curriculum, the Assistant Director collaborates with SBS Pathways staff to implement programs and initiatives that assist students in their transition to UMass Amherst and supports them as they explore potential majors. The Assistant Director also works with SBS Career and Professional Development to co-supervise the Peer Advising Intern program, which supports all students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Essential Functions

  • Develops strategies using department, SBS, and University-wide data to inform advising services across SBS and enhance recruitment and retention initiatives throughout the College.
  • Contributes to the planning and implementation of college-wide initiatives for undergraduate students including New Student Orientation (NSO), SBS Welcome Events, Fall Open Houses, Destination Days, SBS Majors Fair, etc.
  • Assists in college-wide support and mentoring of students returning from academic suspension or on academic probation/warning. This includes meeting with assigned students, connecting with students with relevant resources, and communicating with SBS Academic Deans.
  • Manages the day-to-day operations of Exploratory Track advising in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. This includes developing systems to ensure quality one-on-one and group advising during registration periods, tracking SBS exploratory track students from New Student Orientation and supervising one full-time SBS Exploratory Track advisor.
  • Oversees the development, implementation, and promotion of various events, programs, and resources related to the SBS Exploratory Track Curriculum, including, but not limited to advising workshops, career development events, scholarship and experiential learning opportunities, and major exploration programs/events.
  • Responds to common issues such as registration-related matters including fulfilling University general education requirements, interpreting major and college requirements, and providing guidance for dual degrees, double majors, minors, certificates, and 4+1 programs.
  • Promotes the College’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and the SBS Pathways approach to education in the design, development, and implementation of student success initiatives.
  • Co-develops and co-coordinates the peer advising intern program in the SBS Pathways Center by recruiting, hiring, and training the undergraduate peer advising interns, as well as coordinating their work schedule, supervising on-going projects, and evaluating their work.
  • Represents SBS Exploratory Track on college- and university-level committees as needed and works collaboratively with relevant faculty, staff, students, student groups and other campus groups as necessary.
  • Executes special projects as needed to support SBS Assistant Deans and the mission of the SBS Pathways Center, SBS departments, and the College.

Other Functions

  • Contributes to strategic planning and program development via data analysis and use of reports from: SPIRE queries; EAB Navigate; Flagship Analytics, etc.
  • Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.
  • Demonstrates capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
  • Works collaboratively with SBS colleagues and other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of the College and the University.
  • Establishes and continually updates knowledge of faculty teaching, research, and interest areas as well as campus resources to appropriately refer majors for additional consultation, advising, and coursework.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Master's degree in the Social Sciences, Higher Education, or a closely related field plus three years professional experience in advising or promoting student success. 
  • Experience in serving a large, culturally diverse population.
  • Demonstrated ability in team-based project management.
  • Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through advising and related student success work.
  • Able to recognize at-risk individuals and provide appropriate support and direction.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of complex and varied client needs.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with department, College, and University colleagues.
  • Intermediate level computer proficiency: the ability to use data analytics and associated tools to proactively identify patterns across student outcomes and profiles and to organize and evaluate the success of programming, workshops, campaigns and communication channels.
  • Skilled in small group presentations and able to take initiative and work independently or collaboratively with various university personnel. 
  • Highly knowledgeable with respect to FERPA, Title IX, and all University academic rules and regulations.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

  • Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Required to work some nights and weekends

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a cover letter, CV, names of three professional references, and a one-page statement describing how your work is informed by and contributes to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

Applications received by June 11, 2021, will receive full consideration.

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is explicitly committed to an anti-racist agenda and to promoting social justice and equity through our student success work. We actively and enthusiastically strive to build a diverse and inclusive advising staff and a welcoming work environment, and we are committed to hiring, training, mentoring, and promotion practices that honor all voices and provide opportunities for all members to thrive personally and professionally. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to, and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: May 14 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

Organization

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the preeminent public research universities in America. Nestled in idyllic Amherst, Massachusetts—often called “The top college town in North America”—the campus is consistently ranked among the top public research universities in the nation, and offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. 

As one of the nation's top public research universities – as measured by national and international rankings, academic citations, and research funding – the campus spends more than $180 million on research each year, demonstrating its contribution to the nation’s position as a technological and economic leader. The university works in conjunction with academic, government, and private partners to translate new knowledge and scientific discoveries into technical innovations and scholarly works that create opportunities for students, faculty and the public. 

Eight schools and colleges offer more than 85 undergraduate majors, 68 master’s and 48 doctoral degree programs, many counted among the top programs in the nation and world. UMass Amherst is also home to New England's premier honors college.

The 1,159 full-time faculty members are dedicated teachers and world-renowned researchers and the campus has regularly been listed among the top performers in terms of faculty awards. With over 24,000 students from all 50 states and over 70 countries, the student body is the most academically successful in the history of the campus. Students participate in 240 organizations, 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams, extensive intramurals, living-learning residence halls, community service, and internships. With one of the largest residential life systems in the nation, UMass Amherst houses approximately 12,000 students on campus. The university is enjoying a facilities renaissance, including new buildings in the sciences, the arts, and recreation. UMass Amherst is part of the Five College consortium with Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst colleges.

As an employer, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a national leader in developing family-friendly policies, benefits and amenities designed to help faculty members develop both productive careers and satisfying personal lives. The university offers one of the nation’s most generous parental leave policies. The university is also part of the Academic Career Network, a regional consortium formed to serve dual-career couples and encourage greater diversity in the academy.

 

Company info
Website
Telephone
4135454894
Location
181 PRESIDENTS DR
Whitmore Administration Building
Amherst
Massachusetts
01003
US

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