Program and Academic Adviser

The Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES) is seeking an energetic and creative person to serve as our Program and Academic Adviser to lead our Environmental Resource Management Program (ERM), its three options of environmental science, soil science, and water science, as well as the undergraduate minors. The ERM program is one of the largest majors in the College of Agricultural Sciences. It is an interdepartmental, multidisciplinary undergraduate program that is striving to meet the demand for people with the scientific and leadership skills to address the enormous environmental challenges we are facing. The program is more than 50 years old and has graduated thousands of students during its time.

We expect this position to encompass a mix of advising, teaching, and student recruitment as well as student engagement and outreach. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Advising:

• Assign advising responsibilities & advise a roster of 150+ students to include incoming first year students as well as transfer students

• Serve as advisor for the recognized student organization Environmental Resource Management Society

• Update recommended action plans for students

• Support advising at the Commonwealth Campuses to ensure smooth transitions to UP

• Build partnerships with ERM faculty members, students and alumni to offer research for credit and encourage participation in scholarly activities

Teaching:

• Serve as lead instructor for ERM 150S, the first-year seminar course for ERM Majors

• Teach an Environment, Sustainability and Natural Resources course for the Pennsylvania School of Excellence in Agricultural Sciences (PSEAS) in coordination with the Office of Undergraduate Education in the College

• Provide workshops for students on effective communication and correspondence with resume and cover letter workshops

Recruitment & Retention:

• Coordinate and participate in college/university wide events such as New Student Orientation (NSO) for first year students, Accepted Students Programming, Spend A Summer Day, Prospective Student days etc.

• Represent the college and major at events such as Ag Progress Days, Ag Awareness Day, and College open houses

• Collaborate with the Division of Undergraduate Studies to promote the ERM program to undecided students

• Work with college marketing and communications office regarding recruiting activities and marketing materials

• Recruit prospective students using SLATE and communicate with OUE to ensure appropriate and timely engagement of prospective students

• Pilot new events and activities for reaching prospective students

• Review transcripts of Commonwealth Campus students for transfers

Outreach & Alumni Relations:

• Collaborate with units both inside and outside of the university such as the Sustainability Institute, Arboretum, Student Engagement Network, Millbrook Marsh, USDA, and the Student Farm, to establish opportunities for student engagement through internships, research, workshops and symposiums, etc. to foster relationships that will be mutually beneficial

• Engage with the alumni network by creating alumni newsletters and other channels for engagement

• Coordinate a variety of alumni events including the opportunity to engage in new and different ways with alumni.

Student Records:

• Manage general records of enrolled students

• Review and approve exception requests, course substitutions, and transfer credit requests

• Work with the Office of Undergraduate Education to ensure graduation requirements for students and deadlines are met and approved throughout the academic year

Administrative Duties:

• Attend meetings as appropriate for duties related to Program Coordination and Advising

• Lead annual learning program assessment through OPAIR

• Prepare and submit any curricular programming changes

Education & Experience Requirements

This position will be filled at the Advanced or Senior Professional level depending on the successful candidate's education and experience. For the Advanced Professional level, it requires a master's degree or higher, plus three or more years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional education and/or experience are required for higher-level positions. Preference will be given to those with degrees in Environmental and Natural Resources, Academic Advising, or a related field.

Candidates should have experience and skills in the following areas:

• Experience in undergraduate academic advising

• Excellent communications (oral, written, and electronic communications) to support marketing and dissemination of the major

• Experience in fostering undergraduate research or student engagement in organizations

• Some training and/or work experience related to the profession of environmental sciences (research, teaching, business, regulatory affairs, or service)

• Ability to quickly learn and contribute to a culture of excellence in academic advising at Penn State

• Ability to work across units without bias, by building cohesive teams, that work efficiently and effectively

• Familiarity with Penn State-specific programs (LionPath; Starfish; Canvas; Slate) is not required prior to being hired, but the ability to quickly learn and effectively use these systems is essential

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 Requirements:

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.