Option & Student Transition Specialist

Job Summary

Summary

The Open Option (OPNO) & Transition Specialist position in the Academic Advising Program in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is a foundational and strategic support position. Under the strategic guidance of the Director of Advising Quality and the Associate Director for Student Transitions & Exploration, this position provides direct advising support to A&S Open Option (deciding) students and holds a temporary at-large caseload (as assigned).

It also serves as a contributing leadership member in support of a cross-college coordinated new student orientation academic advising experience for incoming first-year and transfer students. This position will partner with the A&S Academic Advising & Coaching (A&S AAC) unit’s leadership team to ensure robust exploration and student transitions programming across all A&S advising “neighborhood” teams.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a student-centered orientation and a commitment to collaborative and constructive leadership, an enthusiastic demeanor and passion for guiding students’ academic exploration within the College of Arts & Sciences, and a willingness and ability to provide outstanding academic advising service to students across the breadth of the college’s majors and disciplines. The candidate will demonstrate a developmental academic advising approach that focuses on exploration and discovery, be comfortable engaging with large numbers of people via diverse and active outreach methods including facilitating staff trainings and student presentations, and will exhibit outstanding customer service along with excellent communication skills.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The College of Arts and Sciences at CU Boulder is the intellectual core of the university, conducting research, scholarship, creative work and education in more than 60 fields. Our research generates new knowledge, solving some of the world’s most critical problems. The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate education in the natural sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our students, both in and out of the classroom.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Student-Facing Interactions

• Provide proactive and comprehensive academic advising support to Open Option (deciding) students with focused guidance in the service of self-reflection, exploration, and the articulation of academic and career goals.
• Given the variable year-to-year Open Option caseload sizes, Open Option & Transition Specialists may be assigned a temporary at-large student roster to support staff transitions to maintain a full caseload.
• Develop trusting, supportive relationships with individual students.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for academic questions and/or concerns.
• Work with students through individual appointments, group meetings and presentations, registration labs, and drop-in hours via multiple modalities including in-person, video conferencing, telephone, and email.
• A&S developmental advising supports students to:
  Personalize their academic path at CU Boulder; set intentional goals appropriate to their developmental stage;
  Assess their interests, values, and academic skills to plan for and make informed decisions about a choice of major, intended college outcomes, and potential career and/or graduate school direction;
  Engage in intentional exploration of personal goals and interests and their alignment with CU Boulder majors and minors;
  Navigate the systems, academic processes, and policies at CU-Boulder;
  Learn about co-curricular opportunities that complement their academic path, goals, and support needs;
  Reflect on their sense of belonging at CU and receive resources as needed;
  Develop self-efficacy in college.
  • Ensure prepared and…