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 2+2, international exchange, learning communities and honors programs.
Experience utilizing problem solving skills to interpret a variety of procedures, policies, and methods
Job Description:
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) within the College of Engineering at Iowa State University is seeking qualified candidates for an Academic Adviser II. The Academic Adviser II will update and maintain students' degree audits; participate in department and college orientations, recruiting, and graduation programs; assist with student admissions and registration procedures; provide guidance in course selection; evaluate transcripts; and may assist in coordinating and teaching learning communities, as well as supervising peer mentors. Successful candidates will have a broad understanding of university, college, and department resources, policies, and procedures; strong knowledge of degree requirements and career pathways; effective written and oral communication skills; experience in advising or counseling; and familiarity with engineering undergraduate curriculum and Iowa State University systems.
Main Duties of the Role:
Advising Duties
Provide undergraduate and graduate students with basic advising and personalized support using student needs assessments and quality service standards.
Refer students to appropriate campus resources.
Perform degree audits and advise students regarding degree changes.
Apply student development theory, techniques, and research to support the success of various student populations.
Use knowledge of student organization structures, leadership development, and student development theory to strengthen student engagement and success.
Administrative Responsibilities
Communicate effectively in writing for various audiences, including students, staff, faculty, and parents.
Maintain accurate student records and documentation.
Work collaboratively and build strategic relationships with colleagues, coworkers, constituents, volunteers, and students.
Function as an effective team member and work independently with moderate supervision.
Review work for accuracy and ensure timely completion of tasks.
Manage workload under pressure and meet frequent, tight deadlines.
Set priorities and complete assignments for managers, department chairs, faculty, and students.
Process and handle confidential information with discretion.
Design, plan, coordinate, and teach courses when assigned.
Prepare lesson plans, lecture notes, and online learning modules.
Student Services Specialist Responsibilities
Exercise independent judgment in individual student situations.
Utilize department, college, and university resources to resolve issues.
Interpret and communicate university policies and procedures related to student needs.
Clearly explain policies and processes to students.
Schedule and coordinate interactions with industrial partners and university resource personnel.
Understand and navigate the university's decision-making process.
Gather, analyze, and interpret relevant data to support decision-making.
Demonstrate sound judgment in making critical decisions.
Anticipate and diffuse problems before they escalate.
Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess student needs.
About the DepartmentThe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare students for successful careers in electrical engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, and cyber security engineering. ECpE students engage with a various community of peers and faculty and gain practical experiences that prepare them to make meaningful contributions in their fields. The department's research focuses on five high-impact interdisciplinary areas: bioengineering, cyber infrastructure, distributed sensing and decision-making, energy infrastructure, and small-scale technologies. ECpE is committed to excellence in education and research, supported by strong leadership, talented faculty, partnerships with industry, and the achievements of its students and alumni. Our community continues to make significant contributions to the technologies shaping the world today.
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.- Advises learning communities.- Advises student organizations.- May supervise students.- May serve as a lead advisor.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: January 8, 2026
Posting Close Date:January 22, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R18426
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.
