Item 8.D-April 11, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable):
Position #(s): 12226; new
Current Title:
Current Range:
(JCC: )
Department: Dean’s Office
College/Division: College of Science
Account #(s): 1311-114-2010
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
2
(X) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title: Academic Advisor, College of Science
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
Christina Cho
Date
Director, Advising, Recruitment & Retention
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Jeffrey S. Thompson
Date
Dean, College of Science
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton
Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs
__________________
Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67534 Range:
2
Pos #(s): 12226; new
JCC:
EEO: 3A
Eff: 4/1/2014
Approved Title: Academic Advisor, College of Science
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
Position Description – Academic Advisor, College of Science
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Academic Advisor in the College of Science (COS) is responsible for providing academic advising
to prospective, new, transfer, and continuing students on general academic and specific curricular
requirements in individual and group advising settings. The individual serves as a resource for all
new and current students to assure that they are making timely progress toward graduation. The
incumbent works closely with the students and their designated faculty advisors on academic
progress and curricular issues. The individual works closely with and assists the College of Science
Coordinator of Advising, Recruitment, and Retention with retention, advising, and recruitment
activities. The Academic Advisor reports to the College of Science Director of Advising, Recruitment,
and Retention.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
60% - Academic Advising
 Advise incoming COS freshmen and transfer students and educate, interpret, and implement
academic rules and requirements and current academic advising information
 Serve as the primary academic advisor for freshman and sophomore students and work with
designated faculty on the advising of junior and senior level students
 Provide individual and group student advising
 Assist with preparation of advising materials for new and transfer student orientation
 Generate and process necessary forms (Change/Declaration of Major, Exception forms, etc.)
and route to Admissions and Records
 Remove advising holds in MyNevada to allow students to register for courses once they have
completed required advising
 Collaborate with faculty advisors on requests for exceptions, course waivers, and on
articulation issues
 Develop plans for current students on Academic Probation or facing Dismissal; complete all
required forms related to Academic Probation and Dismissal
 Attend all university advising functions as a representative of COS (freshmen honors advising,
New and Transfer Student Orientation, etc.)
 Foster good working relationships with academic representatives in other colleges within the
university and with the Advising Center for Undecided Students to allow for enhanced
communication to facilitate transitions for new and continuing students
 Assist as liaison between COS and numerous campus offices including, Admissions and
Records, Academic and Support Services and other academic colleges
20% - Student Retention and Recruitment
 Coordinate retention activities and data analysis for retention efforts
 Assist the Director of Advising, Recruitment and Retention with planning, preparation and
participation in off and on campus student related activities, i.e., class presentations,
ScienceFIT academic bootcamps, College Welcome Event, etc.
 Serve as the advisor for the College of Science Peer Advising program which uses student
volunteers to recruit and retain students including setting direction, identifying student roles,
managing the budget and coordinating activities
 Plan, prepare and participate in assigned retention related activities
Position Description – Academic Advisor, College of Science


Page 3
Participate in on-campus recruitment activities for COS including coordinating participation of
student and faculty representatives, developing written materials and organizing a program for
college sessions
Provide information on Student Services’ resources to students and make appropriate referrals
20% - Program and Project Coordination
 Manage the graduation verification process for COS in compliance with the Office of
Admission and Records
 Prepare for graduation audits and consult with faculty and Admissions and Records to resolve
issues
 Review each student’s completion of degree requirements and make corrections and changes
within defined parameters to prepare documentation for gradation that is complete and
accurate
 Create and maintain materials related to advising, such as the COS Advising Handbook,
advising webpages, blog, etc.
 Provide training to peer leaders for advising, orientation, ScienceFIT academic bootcamps,
and other outreach events
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
Quality academic advising, retention, and collaboration are the primary goals of this position. The
Academic Advisor educates students in understanding academic requirements for graduation and
problem resolution. The Academic Advisor makes decisions related to the day-to-day operations of
assigned projects and has authority to request corrections to students’ academic records within
defined parameters. The individual serves as a referral point in student development such as tutoring,
mentoring, and retention toward graduation. The Academic Advisor consults the Director regarding
decisions related to short- and long-term planning of projects and activities. The individual collects
and analyzes data that is used in the Dean’s office, the Department Chairs, and faculty advisors as
well as the University. Decisions are made based on current policies and procedures and more
complex problems and difficult student issues and concerns will be discussed with the COS Director
of Advising, Recruitment and Retention for advice and resolution.
Impact:
The Academic Advisor is a primary resource for COS students to visit and gather information that will
affect their standing and progress in the University. Decisions made by the Academic Advisor impact
the retention, persistence, and graduation for undergraduate students served by the programs in
COS. A negative experience may cause a future student to decide not to attend the University of
Nevada, Reno or any other higher educational institution and may create a negative reputation for the
COS and the University.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Academic advising/counseling, assessment, and college student development theory
 Best practices in retention and persistence programs
 Data analysis
 Higher education organizational structures, operations and policies
Position Description – Academic Advisor, College of Science



Skills:







Page 4
General university administrative policies and procedures, especially those related to
undergraduates
Problem solving for students’ issues and concerns
Educational and curricular and support services and resources available to students
Excellent verbal and written communication
Interpersonal and human relations
Problem solving for students’ issues and concerns
Data management skills
Problem solving, encouraging collaboration and coordination with other staff
Time management and organizational skills
Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to MyNevada, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and email)
Ability to:
 Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
 Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisor, department chairs,
faculty, college administrators, and other campus personnel
 Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects/tasks in an efficient and timely manner while
maintaining focus on organizational goals
 Manage resources effectively
 Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations
 Work evenings and weekends when necessary
 Be sensitive to the needs of first generation students and diverse cultural groups
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
New and current students
Academic faculty, department
chairs
Student Services and other
campus staff
Advising Center for Undecided
Students
External
Prospective students/family
High School counselors and
other college advisors
Reason for Contact
To provide academic advising, use MyNevada to review academic
transcripts and advising audit reports, interpret academic data,
and make appropriate referrals
To serve as a primary contact/resource for advisement related
inquiries and make academic referrals
To maintain a cooperative working relationship with personnel;
obtain current information related to their services and disseminate
information
To receive student referrals and coordinate communication about
major/minor curricular changes
Reason for Contact
To answer questions related to College of Science academic
programs and degree requirements
To explain preparation, requirements, placement and articulation
process
Position Description – Academic Advisor, College of Science
Page 5
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and two years, or a Master’s Degree and one year, of related
academic advising, teaching, student services or a closely related field
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None