Advising Specialist - Department of Forensic & Investigative Science

Description

The Department of Forensic and Investigative Science in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Advising Specialist.

About the Opportunity

This position will advise150-250 incoming freshman and sophomores to the FIS Department and teach FIS191 classes.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week.
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits.
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Academic Advising: Primarily, provide academic and career orientation advising to all first- and some second-year students (typically 150-250 students) in the Forensic and Investigative Science major and develop plans of study for students to meet major's benchmarks that will lead to graduation and a career of interest to them. Evaluate students on progress toward meeting program benchmarks and contact students failing to meet benchmarks. Assist majors preparing for post baccalaureate transitions, including arranging educational opportunities for career planning. Conduct procedures that are part of the Eberly College Undergraduate Studies Office protocol (i.e., change of major, adding a major or a degree, graduation certification, 90-CR checks, transient forms, etc.).

New Student Orientation: Meet and advise incoming new and transfer students during New Student Orientation (NSO) during the summer. Develop plan of study and matriculation plans. Organize and supervise FIS role in New Student Orientation (NSO)

Teaching: Update and refine departmental Freshmen Orientation (FIS 191) course including on-line component and assessment. Teach at least two sections of FIS191 in the fall semester and one section in the Spring

Recruitment and Retention: Participate in WVU Recruitment efforts aimed at potential FIS majors, including programs aimed at transfer students as well as students from diverse backgrounds. Develop and oversee Departmental outreach to high schools including overseeing ACCESS program and developing targeted recruiting events. Work with the Visitors Center to meet with prospective students and parents. Develop recruiting and retention strategies is cooperation with Dept. and College leadership. Participate in, provide programming for, and as directed, supervise large-scale recruiting and retention initiatives such as, but not limited to:

• Two fall open houses (Discover)
• Two spring open houses (Decide)
• Two Distinguished Scholars Events
• JR Preview Days (5-day event)
• Adventure WVU

Undergraduate Program support: Actively participate on the Advising Committee and Undergraduate Training Committee of the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science. Actively participate in College advisor training and development and committees pertaining to advising and undergraduate performance. Serve on departmental Undergraduate Studies committee, record minutes, generate correspondence, and perform UGS entries into CIM system. Serve as the primary liaison between the Department and the College/University regarding undergraduate academic affairs

Living Learning Community: Serve as the coordinator of the Department's Living Learning Community (LLC), including marketing and program development

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required.
• A minimum on one (1) academic year of experience advising and college level teaching.
• Knowledge of forensic science or any other science related education and practice (Chemistry, Biology or Physics) (recommended)
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.(always include unless position requires specific degree).
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to utilize basic business office software such as the Microsoft Office suite
• Evidence of effective teaching skills
• Knowledge or ability to acquire knowledge of all ECAS and departmental admission standards and benchmarks
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively and efficiently with students, particularly first and second year students
• Highly self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and programs to support students in academic difficulty
• Knowledge or ability to learn to work with Banner, SSC and Degree Work
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain data bases for the Undergraduate Studies Office
• Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to learn University policies and procedures

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid US driver's license.