Academic and Career Advisor

Portland State University

Portland (OR)

On-site

USD 59,000 - 60,000

Full time

10 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Retirement plan

Tuition discount

Job summary

Portland State University, Oregon's affordable public research university in Portland, seeks an Academic and Career Advisor within the ACS Academic & Career Services team. The advisor provides academic and career advising to prospective students, pathway students, and those exploring majors, using data-informed approaches to support student success.

The role collaborates with faculty and professional advisors, engages with diverse student populations, and requires strong communication and

Qualifications

BA/BS plus 3 years related experience.
Ability to advise students on PSU major and degree requirements; explain complex processes in multiple modalities: in-person, online, via phone, etc.
Experience using technology and analytics in student services (e.g., Banner, Slate, early alert systems).
Experience with diverse student populations.
Ability to apply an anti-racist lens in work with students, faculty, and staff.
Strong communication skills in one-on-one interactions, small groups, and public presentations; written communications.

Responsibilities

Meets with students for advising on academics and career paths; addresses complex and highly technical issues.
Initiates new methods for student advising and departmental procedures, including workshops and resources.
Acts as lead in division-wide policy development and multi-phase implementation.
Course planning and advising for complex degree requirements; may include pre-professional programs.
Engage students at five advising milestones (mandatory advising, major confirmation, financial tools/resources, career development, graduation plan).
Use of Slate for comprehensive note-taking and student support.
Create academic plans.
Proactively outreach to engage and support student success.
Advise students on Academic Standing issues.
Provide referrals to campus resources.

Skills

Advising experience

Data analytics

Communication skills

Diversity & inclusion

Flexibility

Education

BA/BS + 3 years experience

Master’s +1 year

Tools

Banner

Slate

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Portland State University

Position Details

Proposed Start Date: 10/01/2026
Classification Title: Advising and Student Services
Rank: N - No Rank
Working Title: Academic and Career Advisor
Department: 200272 - ACS Academic & Career Services
Position Number: D94489
Representation: AU - AAUP
Renewable: Renewable
Position FTE: 1.0
Tenure Status: N - not applicable

Position Summary

Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

Academic and Career Advisor plays a key role in elevating student success. Portland State University is an access institution with a history of diversity and a focus on addressing racism, equity and inclusion. The advisor has an important role in creating a campus climate that welcomes all students by engaging in culturally responsive advising and continuing education. The advisor helps design innovative solutions within the campus community of professional advisors. This position is assigned to the overall Division; the advisor will work within a specific advising pathway and reports to the Pathway Advising Director.

The advisor offers academic and career advising to prospective students, students in the pathway, and to students who are still exploring majors. Advising is enhanced through the advisor's expert knowledge of advising principles, knowledge of program evaluation, assessment of learning and/or research methods and use of data to better understand student pathways and barriers to success. At Portland State, advising is a shared responsibility among faculty and professional advisors. To that end, the advisor's work requires frequent face-to-face and online interaction with students, colleagues, supervisors, administrators and faculty.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Meets with PSU prospective and current students, as well as alumni in individual advising appointments. Advises students on academics and career paths and addresses complex and ambiguous student issues and/or issues of a highly technical nature regarding degree completion, petitions, and university policy. May also include pre-professional and/or competitive (i.e., admission-only) programs
Initiates new methods for student advising and departmental procedures, or projects, including workshops and students' resources based on in-depth knowledge of student needs, advising practices, principles and concepts
Acts as lead in division wide policy development and multiphase implementation
Course planning and advising for complex academic requirements (Bachelors requirements, General Education including Honors, Major, and all PSU-wide degree requirements). May also include pre-professional programs
Engage students at five advising milestones (mandatory advising, major confirmation advising, financial tools/resources, career development, graduation plan)
Use of Slate for comprehensive/consistent note-taking and student support
Create academic plans
Proactively outreach to engage and support student success through a holistic advising approach
Advise students on Academic Standing issues.
Provide support for students facing a wide range of complex academic and personal difficulties including explaining options and services and making referrals to Campus Resources: Learning Center, Disability Resource Center, Veterans Certification, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Women's Resource Center, Queer Resource Center, Coordinated Assessment Response Education (C.A.R.E.), etc.
Assist students with academic and financial aid petitions
Assist students who are co-admitted with community colleges
Effectively handoff students changing majors outside of pathway
Mentor students on how to connect and engage with faculty
Help students connect with advisors in second major, a minor, and support services (e.g. TRIO, Athletics, etc.)
Engage in career discussions (exploring values, interests, skills, and connection to major)
Support students in exploring internship and other co-curricular opportunities
Discuss post-graduation plans (e.g. graduate school)

This posting is for the Engineering, Computer Science, Math and Physics Pathway.

In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers.

Minimum Qualifications

BA/BS + 3 years related experience
Demonstrated ability to advise students on PSU major and degree requirements; analyze, synthesize and explain complex University processes/procedures and graduation requirements in various modalities: in-person, online, via phone, etc.
Demonstrated skill in using technology and analytics in the provision of services to students (Examples include Banner Student Information System, Slate advising platform and early alert systems)
Experience and understanding of the unique challenges facing diverse student populations
Experience applying an anti-racist lens in work with students, faculty, and staff
Effective communication skills in one-on-one interactions, in small groups, and in public presentations; experience developing written communications
Ability to adapt responses to changing priorities and unusual circumstances. Frequent requirement to make decisions and balance priorities
Ability to work a flexible schedule, as needed (this may include occasional work on evenings and weekends)

Preferred Qualifications

Master's + 1 year related experience
Working knowledge of advising and retention strategies
Experience using data to better understand the student experience and barriers to success
Experience providing information on job search strategies and advise students in decision-making processes related to choice of majors and careers
Knowledge of/experience with program evaluation, assessment of learning, and/or research methods
Multilingual

Key Cultural Competencies

Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
Adhere to all of PSU's policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Monday through Friday, 8a.m. to 5p.m.

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $$58,596 and $59,172, but may be negotiated above this range, dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

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