Job Description

Professional Advisor, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

This 12-month, full-time, non-teaching, non-tenure track, on-campus position proactively enhances the student experience by providing focused commitment to student success in their academic majors and respective college. The professional advisor will report to the Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, advise students in at least two of the departments that make up the college (allied health, communication sciences and disorders, health and human performance, nursing, psychology, social work), and coordinate activities with appropriate department chairs. The professional advisor may also assist with non-degree undergraduate advising as deemed appropriate.

Advises on-campus and online undergraduate students enrolled at FHSU regarding information, procedures, and academic requirements of a specific program or major; evaluates students' specific academic situations; and works with students to set reasonable academic goals aimed at timely completion of their chosen degree programs. Utilizes FHSU systems to prepare for advising of students. Interacts with students through the use of various technologies and in-person meetings. Professional advisors work with the dean of the respective college with regard to day-to-day operations and academic issues and the director of the Academic Advising and Career Exploration for training and development.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Persons in this position must possess advising, communication, and situation-management skills as they are required to interact continually with students in a professional manner. They must be able to influence students to move successfully and efficiently through their academic requirements and to anticipate and meet deadlines for registration, financial aid, etc. They will display a strong work ethic and will not hesitate to take ownership of a problem or a situation in which reasonable assistance to a student may be rendered. To be successful in this position requires a strong internal sense of urgency and the ability to be a self-starter. A well-developed ability to organize and prioritize work effectively is essential.

Job Duties:

• Proactively communicates with advisees when assigned regarding registration procedures, academic policies, and other general academic information;
• Assesses the students' stages of academic development and assists students to establish realistic and attainable academic goals with the primary duty being course registration each semester;
• Advises students on academic issues; identifies the educational options appropriate for each student as their situation dictates;
• Works collaboratively with units such as the Transfer and Military Center, Academic Advising and Career Exploration Office, and the Registrar's Office regarding training, development, and degree requirements;
• Identifies available options for students to satisfy degree requirements in a timely manner, including a substantial number of student-support services designed to assist them;
• Proactively and systematically engages students to assist them in meeting each deadline needed to move them efficiently and effectively through the requirements to complete their degrees;
• Monitors academic progress of each student assigned to them. With the aid of the early alert system, analyzes progress reports from faculty; promotes satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. With faculty, identifies and discusses current and potential needs or problem areas (e.g., study skills, tutoring needed, writing issues, etc.) and refers students to appropriate services;
• Maintains student files and records; documents all pertinent student information; updates student information system including advisor notes at regular intervals, after each contact with a student, and as needed in special circumstances;
• Makes students aware of relevant Fort Hays State University policies and procedures;
• Reviews mid-term and end-of-semester grades; conducts unscheduled grade audits as individual situations require;
• Assists students as needed in the completion of registration, adds, drops, etc.;
• Identifies options for students to satisfy specific degree requirements; evaluates and makes recommendations on desirable or needed adjustments to students' academic programs;
• Utilizes the enrollment system to monitor advising enrollment reports;
• Assists students with registration and provides guidance in course selection in keeping with the students' requirements to complete their degrees, and with consideration for their interests and abilities;
• Participates in the professional advising community at FHSU;
• Participates in training and development opportunities to enhance advising skills and abilities;
• Follows up with students who have not registered as start of each semester approaches;
• Is knowledgeable about aspects of the admissions process for new students, including admissions policies and procedures, financial aid, costs, placement exams, registration procedures, student housing, etc.;
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or 4 years of equivalent experience.

Appointment Date: Start date to be determined after acceptance of an offer and completion of criminal background check.

Base Salary Information:

Bachelor's degree - $36,000 per year (12-month contract)

Master's degree or higher - $39,000 per year (12-month contract)

Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Priority Deadline: July 30, 2025. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references.

Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Dr. Jeff Briggs

jdbriggs@fhsu.edu

785 628 4200

About the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences:

The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is home to many challenging and exciting degree programs in the fields of allied health, communication sciences and disorders, health and human performance, nursing, psychology, and social work. With nearly 100 full-time faculty serving approximately 3500 undergraduate and graduate students, the departments offer programs that prepare students for careers in some of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Outstanding facilities, comprehensive and demanding curricula, and a reputation for innovation and excellence in teaching provide a framework for graduates to excel in their chosen fields. In addition, to discipline-specific coursework, students have numerous opportunities to gain experience and knowledge through research projects, field trips, service-learning activities, teaching apprenticeships, internships, and student exchange. Students develop skills and competencies that prepare them to be practitioners, scientists, health care providers, educators, managers, and policymakers destined for key roles in the health and behavioral sciences.

Community of Hays:

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or for further information on how this might affect you.

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