Career Center

The University of Washington Tacoma is an anchor institution that is deeply invested in its local communities and in student success. As one of three campuses of a world-class university, UW Tacoma is dedicated to interdisciplinary and innovative teaching and scholarship and to engaging the community in mutually beneficial partnerships. UW Tacoma’s commitment to access and diversity is central to an environment where students, staff, faculty and South Sound residents find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. More information about UW Tacoma and its strategic plan can be found here.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Currently, the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences (IAS) serves over 1500 students and offers 2 degrees within 17 majors and 23 minors or certificate programs.  The SIAS consists of 129 full-time faculty, various part-time faculty and twenty full-time staff. This individual will work in partnership with the administrative staff and faculty team to develop and coordinate successful advising services, student retention activities, provide support for the annual admissions cycle and represent all programs offered by the School of IAS.

The SIAS Academic Administration has an outstanding opportunity for an Academic Advisor to join their team.

Academic advising is a very complicated and complex position due to the extreme amount of information an advisor must know and retain.  Advisors must have advanced customer services skills to be able to handle stressful conversations that can happen with students on occasion.  An advisor must be able to recall policies and rules concerning both freshman and transfer admissions at the university and department level, accurately read transcripts, understand and teach students about the course registration systems, and university/department requirements, and explain the many graduation petitions that a student may need to complete.  An academic advisor is one of the few staff positions on campus that has the opportunity to witness the many pinch points a student encounters throughout their academic journey as a student on campus. A successful advisor will have a working knowledge of the issues first generation and students of color encounter on a primary white campus.  Approximately 70% of the student body qualify for financial aid an advisor needs to understand when and how to refer students to the campus financial aid office and at the same time be able to remind students that it’s their responsibility to understand the many policies and procedures for financial aid.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Advise current and prospective students on a wide range of topics: application process, initial file review for outstanding prerequisites and transferable courses, academic planning, scholarship opportunities, internships, and career options;

Assist students in the interpretation of program and university requirements and policies;

Advise on their progress in the program and achievement of graduation requirements;

Monitor student registration process and provide advice about the registration process and quarterly offerings;

Provide referrals and strengthen student retention as needed;

Educate students about the relationship between their personal strengths and interests, and opportunities in the University curriculum and beyond;

Empower students to cultivate a sense of purpose in their undergraduate education;

Help students overcome problems that hinder academic performance;

Guide students through University systems to avoid or overcome administrative problems;

Foster student understanding of graduation requirements to facilitate successful realization of academic, personal and professional goals;

Counsel students dropped from the University for low scholarship;

Offer group advising and outreach to students exploring their academic interests;

Recruit students for undergraduate SIAS majors by arranging on and off campus recruiting events specific to undergraduate recruitment.

Develop targeted recruitment strategies for local community colleges or other industry opportunities.

Collaborate with UW Tacoma Faculty and Staff:

Option to teach TIAS 299 Classroom to Career course with appropriate qualifications and approval from SIAS and academic HR;

Participate in program meetings and committees;

Serve as liaison to the University Academic Advising Center and administrative department(s);

Provide consultation to departments/schools throughout campus.  This may include working on publications, serving as a resource for information and policy interpretation, or handling special problems;

Participate in the School of IAS and campus events such as orientation, recruiting events, commencement ceremony and other program specific events;

Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with pre-major advisors and other University Academic Advising Center colleagues, School of IAS faculty and staff, and campus colleagues (e.g. Student and Enrollment Services, Equity and Inclusion, International Student Services, Financial Aid, Office of Undergraduate Education, Global Honors, Study Abroad, etc.) to help students integrate their academic, career and personal goals.


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in student services, counseling services, or related field AND 2-3 years’ experience with providing academic student advising within a higher education setting.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Excellent public speaking and communication skills, including interpersonal and written.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and work a flexible schedule with some evening and/or weekend work.

Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, evolving environment.


DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree


Application Process:   The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.