Academic Advising Coordinator

The Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM) Department seeks an Academic Advising Coordinator for our undergraduate programs in Wildlife and Fisheries Science (WFS) and Forest Ecosystem Management (FOREM). We are interested in hiring someone who is enthusiastic about working with students through all stages in their program, spanning from recruitment through advising to alumni relations.We are looking for a person who shares a commitment to ESM's goal of providing relevant undergraduate experiences to students and drawing a diverse and high-quality student population to our programs. Advising responsibilities for our undergraduate programs include four options in the FOREM major, two options in WFS, minors in both programs as well as in Environmental Soil Science, a certificate program in Community Forestry, and collaboration with the Environmental Resource Management program for the Soils Option.Advisers in ESM work with a variety of students including graduates of our two-year programs in Forest Technology at Mont Alto and Wildlife Technology at DuBois, students who begin their academic careers at various Penn State locations, and students who transfer from other institutions.The primary responsibilities of the Academic Advising Coordinator include (but are not limited to):

• Serving as the point person for advising in the WFS and FOREM programs, including advising of students, ensuring information about degree program requirements is up to date and accessible, and maintaining student records.

• Participating enthusiastically in a variety of recruiting events that help draw high-quality and diverse students to our majors.

• Being the liaison between the department and Alumni Group, including organizing the annual Alumni Banquet and Awards and overseeing Alumni Group communications and meetings.

• Coordinating the department's annual career fair

• Working with the Undergraduate Program Coordinators, Faculty, and Staff to maintain the department's undergraduate programs.

ESM has thriving undergraduate programs that train students to be future leaders in natural resource management. We are looking for a charismatic and creative advising coordinator who works well with students and acts as a liaison with the faculty, staff, external interest groups, and the extensive department community.

Education & Experience Requirements

This position will be filled at the Advanced Professional level, which requires a master's degree or higher, plus three or more years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preference will be given to those with degrees in forestry, wildlife, fisheries, soils, ecology, or natural resource management

Candidates should have experience and skills in the following areas:

• Undergraduate academic advising

• Working in teams to accomplish goals and responsibilities while maintaining an accessible and inclusive environment

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Experience with fostering student engagement

• Managing diverse and numerous job responsibilities and tasks

• Familiarity with or ability to learn Penn State-specific programs, including LionPATH, Starfish, Canvas, Slate

This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to clearances.

Application Instructions

For full consideration, applicants should submit a resume with a cover letter that outlines how their professional experience and interests align with the job responsibilities. Review of applicants will begin December 16, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.