Academic Advisor II

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27049

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Mary Alice Carlson

Interim Director

Classification Title Academic Advisor II

Working Title Academic Advisor II

Brief Position Overview

The College of Letters and Science is looking for a collegial, dynamic, and motivated individual who is dedicated to student success and is able to thrive in an environment that includes frequent interactions with students, faculty, and staff. The Academic Advisor II provides critical support to the Master of Science in Science Education ( MSSE ) program.

Position Number 4M1984

Department MSSE MS Science Education

Division College of Letters & Science

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $20.49 -$24.55 per hour, commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications.

Contract Type Classified Salary

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The College of Letters & Science ( CLS ), the largest center for learning, teaching, and research at Montana State University, offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors, and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, natural sciences, mathematical sciences, and social sciences.

Building on the great strength of our traditional disciplines, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. CLS is dedicated to supporting student success, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing an atmosphere in which discovery and learning are integrated and valued. CLS is at the confluence of intellectual tradition, discovery, and innovation.

The Master of Science in Science Education is a successful graduate program serving science educators across Montana and the U.S. This signature degree program for CLS includes both innovative, asynchronous distance courses, in-person field courses, and an in-residence capstone experience. Courses may be taken for professional development or to earn a graduate degree.

Duties and Responsibilities

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  Collaborate with MSSE Director and Faculty Lead to promote and support MSSE program by working with graduate students, faculty, MSU offices and departments.

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  Serve on the MSSE and Graduate Certificate Admissions Committee.

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  Advise and mentor students by developing programs of study, course selection and registration, committee selection, and submission of graduate plans to the Graduate School for final approval.

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  Possess understanding of MSSE curriculum, certificates, and programs to ‘add value’ to degrees (Study Abroad, student organizations, etc.).

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  Serve as a liaison between admitted students and the MSSE Program.

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  Advise and mentor MSSE students preparing to graduate regarding graduate committees, program of study credit audits and completion and submission of “Application for Advanced Degree” paperwork.

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  Serve as program liaison with the Graduate School.

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  Maintain positive connections with faculty and staff to facilitate student connections.

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  Understand resources at MSU for student services, health and wellness, etc.

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  Coordinate the communication of information related to important dates, events, courses, deadlines, and procedures to advisees, faculty, and staff.

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  Assist the director in the development of innovative advertising materials for recruitment of science teachers/educators.

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  Assist with recruitment efforts at regional and national meetings.

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  Perform other applicable administrative support duties for the program, including coordination and facilitation of summer symposium capstone.

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Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

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  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with experience working with undergraduate students in an academic or student support setting, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

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  Demonstrated experience working with academic curricula, degree requirements, policies and procedures in a higher education setting.

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  Demonstrated knowledge of higher education offices and resources that support student success.

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Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

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  Master’s degree in a relevant field.

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  Demonstrated experience working with graduate students in an academic or student support setting.

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  Demonstrated experience working with enrollment and degree auditing software, such as DegreeWorks, CatCourse, Banner, MyInfo and/or relational database.

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  Demonstrated experience collaborating with MSU offices and resources to support graduate student curriculum, success, and experience, such as The Graduate School and Office of International Programs.

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The Successful Candidate Will

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  Possess strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm to work with and guide students as they discover and attain their academic and life goals.

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  Possess the ability to create positive rapport and strong working relationships with colleagues throughout the MSU community, including administrators, faculty, staff, other professional advisors and student support professionals.

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  Possess strong written and oral communication skills.

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  Possess demonstrated competence exercising initiative, good judgment, and making consistent decisions when interpreting and applying policies and procedures.

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  Possess demonstrated competence maintaining, processing, and verifying detailed records with a high degree of accuracy.

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  Have proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.

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  Have the ability to represent the program in a professional and courteous manner.

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  Actively pursue training and professional development opportunities.

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  Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds.

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Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on August 21, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.