Academic Advisor

The University of Maine at Farmington seeks a student-centered and forward-thinking professional to join our advising team as an Academic Advisor. This specialized role is designed to support student persistence, facilitate thorough academic planning, and guide students toward timely degree completion.

This position primarily serves two distinct and vital student cohorts: first-year Education students enrolled in teacher-licensure programs, and Adult Degree Completion students returning to college while balancing professional, family, and personal responsibilities. Assuming responsibility for an assigned caseload through a direct hand-off from Admissions Counselors at matriculation, the Academic Advisor provides proactive, individualized mentorship, which may extend from a student's first semester through graduation.

Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the anticipated annual salary for this position is up to $45,300 plus a 10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents.
 

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities (What You’ll Do Every Day):

• Comprehensive Academic Advising: Provide individual academic and career planning support through high-impact, one-on-one meetings. Monitor student progress, assist with course selection, and facilitate precise degree mapping. 

   

• Graduation Pathways: Design a personalized, initial graduation plan for every assigned student before their first semester begins. Help students interpret early career planning assessments and master complex institutional, degree, and teacher-licensure/certification requirements. 

   

• Retention and Transition Support: Leverage retention best practices and proactive, multi-modal communication strategies to maximize student engagement. Provide dedicated support for at-risk individuals and adult learners returning to higher education after prior academic difficulty. 

   

• Process Navigation and Problem-Solving: Act as a vital campus advocate and problem-solver for students experiencing complex academic challenges. Guide students cleanly through formal institutional processes, including grade appeals, changes of major, and course or university withdrawals. 

   

• Campus Collaboration: Serve as a dynamic, integrated liaison between academic departments (including Social Sciences, Education, STEM, and Humanities) and distinct student populations (including athletes, transfer students, and veterans). Coordinate with Faculty Advisors and professional staff to ensure holistic student care. 

   

• Policy and System Improvement: Partner with the broader Advising team to identify, recommend, and implement positive updates to academic policies and procedures. Supervise peer advisors as appropriate and engage in continuous professional development. 

   

• Instruction and Onboarding: Actively participate in core campus enrollment and transition activities, including New Student Orientation and Accepted Student Days. Directly impact student onboarding by teaching at least one student-success class each year as assigned. 

Core Competencies (Who You Are):

• Student-Centered Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build deep trust and rapport with a diverse student body using an approach rooted in patience, clarity, and care. 

   

• Organization and Judgment: The ability to manage multiple competing priorities with strict attention to detail and accuracy, while exercising sound independent judgment and maintaining confidentiality. 

   

• Grounded Student Advocacy: A solid understanding of retention strategies and student development theory, with the capacity to apply a strengths-based framework that supports student growth, persistence, and belonging

 Required Qualifications:

• Education: A Bachelor's degree.
• Professional Background: At least three (3) years of related professional experience. 
• Specialized Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of experience specifically within an academic and/or career advising environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's degree (preferably in Education, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Adult Education, or a related field) 
• Prior experience specifically as an institutional Academic Advisor for college students.

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

We are not able to consider applicants who require any visa sponsorship support

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 pm EST on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.  

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post-offer physical as applicable.

The University of Maine at Farmington employees are Mandatory Reporters with the exception of UMF’s licensed, clinical medical providers (including athletic trainers) and mental health providers and their clinical interns when working in their capacity as providers.  

Equal Opportunity Statement