Position Title:Academic Advisor II
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience advising undergraduate curriculum
Experience working with students in college or school setting
Experience developing and giving presentations
Experience managing student programs, such as learning communities and honor programs
Experience utilizing problem solving skills to interpret a variety of procedures, policies, and methods
Master's in Education, Counseling, or Engineering
Job Description:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University is seeking a dedicated and student-focused Academic Advisor to join our team. This role provides comprehensive advising and support to undergraduate students, guiding them through academic requirements, course selection, and career planning while also contributing to recruitment, orientation, and student success initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Advise undergraduate students on program requirements, registration, credit evaluation, and progress toward graduation.
Support students in decision-making, personal development, and use of campus resources.
Enforce and interpret academic policies, procedures, and graduation requirements.
Meet with prospective students and families, interpret placement test results, and recommend appropriate coursework.
Participate in orientation programs, recruitment events, and parent-student-faculty visits.
Assist with admissions partnerships, including transfer student integration.
Help develop and teach departmental orientation courses.
Co-supervise learning communities and peer mentors.
Collaborate with faculty and staff on curricular changes, program enhancements, and continuous improvement processes.
About the Department
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University is the university's first awarded diploma and remains its most popular major. Recognized internationally for innovation in areas such as clean energy, design and manufacturing, and advanced simulation, the department partners closely with industry and federal agencies to shape the future of engineering.
What truly sets us apart is our culture. We celebrate curiosity, ingenuity, and relentless trial and error-all in pursuit of life-changing innovations. Faculty, staff, and students work together in a vibrant, collaborative environment that values creativity, discovery, and impact. Joining our department means becoming part of a community that doesn't just educate engineers, but shapes problem-solvers and innovators ready to make a difference in the world!
Example of Duties- Advises students concerning degree planning, academic support services, academic policy issues, graduation requirements, degree certification, degree auditing, etc.- Assists students in making personal education decisions and meeting graduation requirements including course selections.- Refers students to appropriate resources such as counseling, academic success, financial aid, etc.- Interprets academic policies and procedures to support student success.- Teaches orientation courses.- Presents at orientation or other events.- Participates in recruitment activities and develops materials.- May advise learning communities.- Advises student organizations.- May supervise students.Level Guidelines- Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals- Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues- Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems- Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests- May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff- May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity- Provides guidance to students
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS806
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: - Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans - Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans - Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) - Life insurance and long-term disability - Flexible Spending Accounts - Various voluntary benefits and discounts - Employee Assistance Program - Wellbeing program - Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: September 10, 2025
Posting Close Date:September 28, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R17753
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
