Baccalaureate Advisor (Multiple Openings)

About Unity:

At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance Education, Sustainable Ventures, Hybrid Learning and the Technical Institute for Environmental Professions). We prioritize our students’ needs above all else, offering a variety of modalities, including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online. Our innovative and inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward sustainable ecosystems.

About Distance Education: Distance Education provides an entirely asynchronous, online learning experience that adapts to the unique circumstances of each student. Our fully accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as non-degree credits, empower learners to shape their own educational journey. With 8 five-week terms for undergraduates and 5 eight-week terms for graduate students, our model offers unparalleled flexibility. You can learn at your own pace, and take breaks as needed. By using your everyday environment as your laboratory, you’ll integrate your studies into your daily life. This makes our education ideal for busy professionals who seek to advance their careers while still honoring their commitments. We are committed to empowering our students to become the changemakers our world needs, wherever they are.

The Opportunity:

The Baccalaureate Advisor will build meaningful relationships with students from the point of initial registration through program completion, focusing on the pre/first term, first year, upper level, or completion stage of the student lifecycle. As the primary point of contact, they will support the specific needs of the assigned stage(s), which may include onboarding, degree planning, stop out retention, graduation planning, and career resources for students in the Distance Education Strategic Educational Business Unit (DE SEBU). They are responsible to provide holistic student support while meeting matriculation, retention, and completion goals as set by Distance Education leadership. The Baccalaureate Advisor is responsible for communicating with online students primarily through phone calls, texts, emails and zoom meetings. They will maintain accurate records and must also have knowledge of transfer evaluation, financial aid and billing processes, as well as attend regular trainings. Advisors may also support recruitment efforts as needed.

Day to day responsibilities:

• Ensure positive student experience and academic success.
• Serve as the primary contact for the day-to-day relationships around onboarding, retention and completion advising.
• Carry a portfolio of registered students during one of the following lifecycle stages as assigned: pre/first term, first year, upper level, and completion.
• Help students achieve their academic and career goals through connecting them to appropriate campus resources as needed.
• Reach out to students regularly through phone calls, texts, emails, and effective technologies as part of the student support process.
• Review student files to make sure that students are on track for success.
• Ensure satisfactory academic progress through graduation.
• Cross-train to provide support and backfill for any stage of the student lifecycle during high demand periods.
• Register students for upcoming terms to ensure they stay on track for graduation.
• Work with Unity Environmental University student support resources on behalf of students as necessary.
• Work with Distance Education staff and leaders to develop strategies for effective onboarding, advising and retention efforts.
• Ensure students are successful in their courses by providing them with resources and tools to succeed.
• Create and maintain academic plans for students through graduation.
• Meet or exceed annual goals.
• Become knowledgeable and articulate about Unity Environmental University Distance Education, its programs, market niche, strategies, policies and procedures.
• Understand how to work with non-traditional and adult learners.
• Maintain appropriate records and submit timely reports on all retention activities as needed.
• Pro-actively communicate challenges, successes, and failures with leadership.
• Attend Institution events such as orientations, open houses, graduation, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Do you have the skills?

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in student advising or related field
• Excellent initiative and organizational skills with ability to work both autonomously and in a team.
• Great time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to work with students from diverse political/socioeconomic backgrounds and a wide range of physical and academic abilities.
• Good skills in word processing, spreadsheets and computerized database systems.
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of the Institution.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous, and well poised.
• Valid Maine Driver’s License with a good driving record.

Preferred skills:

• Master’s degree
• Previous experience working with online learning platforms.
• Working knowledge of career services, financial aid, or registrar functions
• Knowledge of database systems such as CRM and SIS, including Salesforce

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges. Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the individual we’re searching for!

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education, The Technical School for Environmental Professions, and the School of Environmental Business & Sustainable Ventures are based at the Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the country.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, weekends. Working extended hours may be required as needed and Unity Environmental University employees must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling their responsibilities while meeting the College’s needs.

Although at Unity Environmental University Enterprise employees are generally scheduled to work at their base location, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping, and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:

Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:

• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Flexible work benefit – ability to work from home
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance