Job Description SummaryThe Senior Academic Advisor serves as a policy and degree completion specialist within the CMNS Undergraduate Student Services team and is responsible for managing high-volume, detail-oriented academic operations that directly support undergraduate degree completion. This position supports and carries out college-wide processes to ensure that students make satisfactory progress toward successful completions of graduation requirements by applying analytical review, sound judgment, and consistent and equitable application of academic policies.
Primary responsibilities include conducting comprehensive degree clearance reviews, evaluating and ruling on undergraduate exceptions to policy, interpreting and applying university and college academic regulations, maintaining accurate and clear records and reviews accessed by other members of the team. The primary focus is the accurate execution of administrative and operational processes that support academic policy implementation, degree clearance, and student record accuracy. The position also includes some student-facing responsibilities, such as teaching CMNS100: Becoming a Science Terp, participating in drop-in advising, and assisting with several large student events.
Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary position involving extensive use of desktop computers. The position does occasionally require walking some distance to attend meetings and programs.
Licenses/Certifications: N/A
Minimum QualificationsEducation: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Four (4) years of experience providing counseling or advising services.
Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education. Knowledge of best practices in organization and administration.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of undergraduate education and academic policies.
Skill in oral and written communication and attention to detail.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume team environment.
Additional Job DetailsPreferences:
- Master's degree in Higher Education Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated proficiency with higher education technology systems, including Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive, Gmail, and Calendar), student information systems, degree audit platforms, electronic document repositories, workflow management systems, shared databases, and other university technology applications.
- Professional experience in a high-volume, fast-paced higher education environment involving student records, degree clearance, graduation certification, academic records management, registrar operations, or related academic administrative functions.
- Experience interpreting and applying university and academic policies and degree requirements to support degree completion, graduation eligibility, and academic decision-making.
- Experience reviewing, analyzing, and maintaining the accuracy and integrity of student academic records, including degree audits, transcripts, transfer credit, and graduation requirements
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously while maintaining exceptional accuracy, organization, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines.
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, and 3 Professional References
Best Consideration Date: 10/12/26
Posting Close Date: N/A
Open Until Filled: Yes
Job RisksNot Applicable to This Position
Financial Disclosure RequiredNo
DepartmentCMNS-College of Computer, Math & Natural Sciences
Worker Sub-Type Staff Regular
Salary Range$57,920 - $80,000
For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment EligibilityThe successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO StatementThe University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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