Warner Pacific University’s Commitment to Diversity: Warner Pacific University is committed to hiring staff and faculty with an intentionality that demonstrates the importance of having an employee community that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the students we serve. Persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Summary Description: The Academic Advisor and Distance Learning Facilitator is a full-time, administrative position with administrative faculty status, reporting to the Director of Academic Advising. This position is primarily responsible for facilitating and empowering students toward fulfilling their academic and professional goals and ensuring ongoing academic quality in distance learning programs. The Academic Advisor works closely with the Registrar, Director of Learning Communities, Director of Academic Success, faculty and other staff to facilitate effective advising leading to successful degree completion. This position will also monitor distance learning courses to ensure appropriate levels of engagement and to provide support for faculty and staff working with online programs. This position will uphold and reinforce academic policy and quality standards. In addition, the Academic Advisor serves on faculty and institutional committees.

To apply, please read the Employment and Lifestyle Standards statement below, then complete the online application at www.warnerpacific.edu/jobs. Please also submit the following with your application (you may attach these documents at the conclusion of the online application):
 
*Cover Letter
*Curriculum Vitae or Resume
*Essay Response to the Following Questions:
 
1.  How does your personal faith reflect the principles stated in terms 1, 2, and 3 of the Employment Standards? (listed below)
 
2.  How does your personal philosophy of education and commitment to the synthesis of faith and learning reflect the principles stated in items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8? (listed below)

Employment and Lifestyle Standards: 
Warner Pacific is a Christ-centered urban liberal arts University dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds an education that prepares them to engage actively in a constantly changing world. The University was founded in 1937 by the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) and maintains a covenant relationship with that body. Central to Warner Pacific’s identity as a Christ-centered higher education institution is the policy of hiring persons whose personal and professional lives reflect:
 
1.   A belief in the deity of and commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, as interpreted through the historic witness of Scripture and the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
2.  The practice of following Christ through day-to-day personal lifestyle choices.
3.  A vitality of Christian experience maturing in insight and application and appreciative of differing viewpoints.
4.  A commitment to life-long learning and service through personal and professional development.
5.  For teaching faculty, the expression of artful teaching, based on mastery of relevant subject matter and in an environment of purposeful and rigorous inquiry amongst a community of scholars who support one another.
6. A capability, by temperament, preparation, and will, to support students as they confront the intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of their lives.
7.   A sensitivity to and support for the mission, core themes, vision, values, ethos and traditions of the Warner Pacific University community.
8. A commitment to teaching and serving in harmony with the doctrines of the Bible as understood and generally held by the Church of God Reformation Movement.
 
Employee Agreement:
Mission-based hiring is of critical importance to Warner Pacific University. From its inception, the Church of God has resisted condensing the Scriptures into a formal creed, instead emphasizing salvation as the entrance into the body of Christ; unity in diversity; and a call to holy living as God’s people representing Christ in the world. Warner Pacific, rather than requiring subscription to an institutional doctrinal statement, asks each employee to affirm a personal faith in Jesus Christ by providing a statement articulating the ways in which faith informs the employee’s understanding of his or her vocation at Warner Pacific. Employees are expected to demonstrate and articulate a vital Christian faith and to live in a manner consistent with a Christ-centered lifestyle as informed by the Scriptures of the New Testament.
 
Warner Pacific’s students, faculty and staff are expected to foster an environment of mutual respect and accountability, to care for the personal dignity of others and to exercise integrity in their conduct and communication. The University environment is expected to be free from discrimination and harassment (including bullying). When an individual’s behavior has direct implications for others and/or the well-being of the University community, there may be cause for institutional involvement, regardless of where the situation occurs.
 
Warner Pacific University desires to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, faculty, students, visitors and guests. Therefore, smoking is not permitted on University property, in its vehicles, or at any University sponsored event. The use of illegal drugs or non-prescribed controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products is strictly prohibited on Warner Pacific University campuses.
 
Commitment to Diversity: 
Warner Pacific University is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and a multicultural learning environment. Inquiries are encouraged from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our University. Warner Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks a diverse workforce of committed Christians from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity
Warner Pacific provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status and any other status protected by laws and regulations to which Warner Pacific is subject.  All employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits, transfers, and terminations are made in a manner that does not discriminate against individuals in the categories discussed above.  Because Warner Pacific is a Christian liberal arts University, the University exercises its legal right to hire Christian employees to fulfill its mission and purpose.
 
Essential Functions:

• Prepare, organize, and conduct new student orientation for new cohorts.
• Manage advising load of up to 150 students in associate level programs and other students as necessary, and work with other advisors and enrollment counselors to ensure smooth transitions to bachelor’s programs.
• Work collaboratively with department faculty, registrar, retention staff, student development personnel, learning communities’ personnel and other appropriate campus departments to ensure robust support services for all entering and continuing students.
• Collaborate with the Admissions Department to ensure a smooth student handoff from Enrollment Counselor to Academic Advisor.
• Partner with students on degree completion planning and process, developing initial degree plans and completing grad checks as required.
• Actively collaborate with retention and academic services personnel to ensure appropriate attention to students requiring extra support.
• Provide guidance to students on their academic pursuits, partnering with Career Services as able and appropriate to help inform the selection of a major.
• Conduct face-to-face check-ins with advisees as necessary and appropriate in addition to quarterly in-person cohort visits.
• Provide timely and accurate processing of registration paperwork.
• Document student contact electronically.
• Regularly monitor online classes to view participation, notifying program advisors, Division Chairs or other personnel as necessary to ensure appropriate levels of engagement.
• Review online course evaluations to facilitate rapid response to emerging challenges.
• Establish learning team assignments for new courses, ensuring appropriate variety in learning team experiences.
• Exercise creative and critical thinking.
• Provide support of institutional student retention goals.
• Be present in the office as required to meet with advisees, coordinating all other arrangements with the employee’s direct supervisor.
• Contribute to the support and implementation of the University Strategic Plan.
• Participate in Warner Pacific University professional development opportunities and community events.
• Adhere to University policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to a Christian liberal arts education by upholding the mission of the University and abiding by the Employment Standards and Lifestyle Agreement.
• Exhibit commitment to inclusiveness and sensitivity in areas of national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender, and disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience working in a leadership position in a higher education environment.
• Master degree from an accredited higher education institution.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Committed to the transformational value of higher education.
• Ability to promote the values of higher education in interactions with students.
• Possess a high degree of empathy and customer service experience.
• Team player with interpersonal strengths.
• Deep desire to help others achieve educational and professional goals.
• Persuasive and diplomatic in working with individuals and small groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently.
• Ability to work effectively and meet deadlines in a varied-paced or fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and priorities.
• Demonstrated capacity for organizational/systems thinking.
• Ability to handle interruptions.
• Proficient in computer programs including Windows, Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends in addition to normal office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic advising experience.
• Spanish language skills.
• Experience with Moodle or other Learning Management System.
• Experience working with diverse college students.
• Teaching experience in a higher education environment.
• Experienced in conflict management and resolution.
• Experience mentoring and coaching college students.
• Leadership and management experience.

 Physical Demands – Work Environment:
The position is located in a typical office environment. Professional/business casual attire is required.