INCLUSIVE POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
Inclusive position descriptions signal to potential applicants that you are conducting an equitable search. Use inclusive language and focus on advising expertise rather than institution-specific knowledge. The aim is to increase the diversity and quality of the applicant pool.
Sample Position Qualifications:
The qualifications required for unique positions will inevitably vary from one to the next. This is a non-exhaustive list to provide a basis from which to work. Per HR standards, position descriptions should contain 5-7 minimum qualifications and 2-4 preferred qualifications.
- Minimum: bachelor’s degree / preferred: master’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, or related field
| Relational | Conceptual | Informational |
| Experience identifying and determining appropriate level of advising or referral services for individual students, providing immediate crisis counseling, triage, and referrals to students in academic, financial, or personal difficulty | Experience applying holistic advising and guidance techniques in an academic environment at the university/college level | Skills to examine and assess college transcripts and accurately compute grade point averages and grade point balances |
| Effective interpersonal communication and listening skills to interact in a positive and cooperative way with students, parents, faculty, administrators, staff, and the general public | Problem solving skills and experience to identify and document patterns of student academic needs and to develop strategies and programs to successfully meet those needs | Experience with general curricular elements and structures (e.g., courses, unit prerequisites, majors, and minors) |
| Skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a collaborative and cross-cultural environment | Analysis skills to understand complex policies and interpret and apply rules and philosophy | Experience with advising tools and technology, including ability to develop expertise in using software and information management systems |
| Knowledge and experience working with culturally diverse communities in an academic environment | Experience with multicultural and student development theories and advising | Knowledge of statewide, national, and international college and university advising programs |
| Experience with special population advising (i.e., international students, first-year, transfer, etc) in an educational setting at an institution of higher learning | Knowledge of multicultural dynamics within a university setting and the academic environment and the pressures encountered by students | Knowledge of state and federal laws governing confidentiality of student records |
| Skilled at group and public presentations | Ability to interpret and apply complex rules and regulations governing undergraduate education | Experience with rules and regulations governing undergraduate education (e.g., General Education) |
| Experience supervising student staff in a variety of venues and circumstances | Experience with implementation of advising and transition programs aimed at first-year and transfer students | Organizational and planning skills to set work priorities under pressure of competing deadlines |
| Experience implementing management policies, practices, and decisions | Knowledge of personal and social problems commonly encountered by college students of all backgrounds |