Item 2.J-April 20, 2012
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):
Current Title:
Current Range:
(JCC: )
Department: Mackay School of Earth Sciences and
College/Division: College of Science
Engineering (MSESE)
Account #(s): 1311-114-2010
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
2
(X) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title: Academic Advisor, MSESE
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
JCC (Current
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
or new HR
Range:
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
Russell Fields
Director, MSESE
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Jeffrey S. Thompson
Dean, College of Science
__________________
Date
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Vice Provost and Secretary of University
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #:
EEO Code: 3A
CUPA Code: CM7550
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 200
Job Class Code: 67209
Range: 2
Effective Date: 4/1/2012
Approved Title:
ACADEMIC ADVISOR, MACKAY SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Employee Signature
Date
(Employee signs and sends to HR for personnel file after PDQ has been “final” stamped for approval)
Rev: 12/1/2008
Position Description – Academic Advisor, MSESE
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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 Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering (MSESE) is
responsible for advising new, transfer, and continuing students on general academic and specific
curricular requirements. 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 and advising activities. The Academic Advisor reports to the Director,
MSESE within the College of Science.
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).
75% - Student Advising
 Advise incoming freshmen and transfer students and explain, interpret, and implement
academic rules and requirements and current academic advising information
 Serve as the primary advisor for freshman and sophomore students and work with designated
faculty on the advising of junior and senior level students
 Communicate and serve as a resource for current students regarding majors and minors
offered within the MSESE
 Serve as a resource for prospective students regarding the majors offered within MSESE,
general academic advisement, financial aid, career opportunities, internship opportunities, and
campus/community resources
 Generate and process necessary forms (Change/Declaration of Major, Exception forms, etc)
and route through College of Science Dean’s Office
 Foster good working relationships with academic representatives in other colleges within the
university and with the Academic Advising Center to allow for enhanced communication to
facilitate transitions for new and continuing students
 Assist as liaison between the College of Science, MSESE, and numerous campus offices
including Admissions and Records, Academic and Support Services, and other academic
colleges
 Attend all university advising functions as a representative of MSESE such as Freshmen
Honors Advising, New Student Orientations, and College Welcome Sessions
10% - Student Retention and Persistence
 Work with faculty to identify students having difficulties and assist with problem resolution
 Identify potential support mechanisms for students (i.e., tutoring, study groups, GA’s, etc.)
 Coordinate and refer students to tutoring, when necessary
 Monitor and conduct degree progress checks through to graduation for all MSESE majors and
distribute information to the students and faculty; advise faculty advisors of problem areas
 Monitor academic progress of students by reviewing information in MyNevada including test
scores, GPA, major/minor and holds (non-advising); remove advising holds in MyNevada to
allow students to register for courses once they have completed required advising
 Provide information on Student Services resources to students
Position Description – Academic Advisor, MSESE
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10% - Faculty Advising Coordination
 Coordinate student advising needs with faculty advisors
 Collaborate with faculty on requests for exceptions and course waivers
 Consult with faculty advisors on articulation issues
5% - Scholarship Administration
 Identify students eligible for MSESE and department specific scholarships
 Coordinate and monitor scholarships given to ensure criteria are being met; work with College
of Science Dean’s Office and the Scholarship Office to resolve issues
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 and retention are the primary goals of this position. The Academic Advisor
assists students in understanding academic requirements for graduation and problem resolution. The
individual makes decisions to refer students for assistance in areas of tutoring, mentoring, and
retention toward graduation. The individual collects and analyzes data that is used in the Dean’s
office, the MSESE Director’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 will be discussed with the College of Science Coordinator of Advising for advice and
resolution.
Impact:
The Academic Advisor is a primary resource for MSESE 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 and persistence rate for successful undergraduate student graduation served by
the programs in MSESE. A negative experience may cause a future student to decide not to attend
the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) or any other higher educational institution and may create a
negative reputation for the program 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
 Higher education organizational structures, operations and policies
 General university administrative policies and procedures, especially those related to
undergraduates
 Familiarity with higher education environment and its administrative structure
 Educational, curricular and support services and resources available to students
Skills:
 Excellent verbal and written communication
 Interpersonal and human relations
 Problem solving for students’ issues and concerns
Position Description – Academic Advisor, MSESE
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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 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
 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
Scholarship Office
Academic Advising Center
External
Prospective students
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
To coordinate scholarship activities and monitoring
To receive student referrals
Reason for Contact
To inform and advise of MSESE programs and available
scholarships
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 Master’s Degree and one year of related
professional academic advising, teaching or tutoring experience
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
Position Description – Academic Advisor, MSESE
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None
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