Lead IRIS Advisor (CMU Tech)

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

Title (Function): IRIS Advisor (CMU Tech)
Department: CMU Tech Student Services
Reporting To: Director of CMU Tech Student Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Compensation: $53,000.00-55,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!
Open Date: 06/03/2025
Close Date: To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by 8/31/2025.

SECTION
I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE

At CMU, we believe
in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to
form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the
pursuit of new possibilities. It's this courage that enables the Mavily to explore
new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no
perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we've built a culture of resilience.
We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming
challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is
constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless
curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing
opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community
rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities
for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West-the spirit that our region embodies-we emerge
as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a
Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared
vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values
Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and
others
Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and
believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
Humility - Suspending one's ego and pride to recognize that no idea
is perfect and being open to the input of others
Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes,
overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to
achieve our goals

SECTION
II - THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at
every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat
contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and
accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships
that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric
organization, a priority is to ensure we have the "right seats" in our
organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are
defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the
seats.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS
IRIS is CMU's first year advising center and one-stop that supports students' needs relating to academic advising, registration, financial aid, financial counseling, and navigating college systems. IRIS Advisors provide these services in four ways: 1) front line customer service offered at the front desk, phone and email, 2) in-person or phone extended advising and financial counseling appointments, 3) targeted proactive advising services for students in need of additional support, and 4) events and groups sessions.

Utilizing a case management system and Appreciative Advising framework, Lead IRIS Advisors provide holistic and student-centered advising on multiple aspects of student success, such as academic advising and registration, student finances, financial aid, personal wellness, and student success skills. Lead IRIS Advisors support and empower students from a wide variety of backgrounds and are expected to maintain a high level of customer service with all interactions.

This position is located at CMU Tech on CMU's Bishop Campus, about 3 miles from Colorado Mesa University's main campus. CMU Tech is home to career and technical education at Colorado Mesa University. The CMU Tech Lead IRIS Advisor leads and manages a team of IRIS Advisors to provide excellent advising and student support services for students pursuing career and technical degrees or taking coursework on the CMU Tech campus.

Advising & Student Support Tasks

• Act as an academic advisor for a diverse population of students, including but not limited to academically underprepared, undeclared, first generation, and non-traditional students.
  
• Identify barriers that students face, suggest solutions to student challenges, and make appropriate internal and external referrals.
  
• Provide a high level of customer service and create a welcoming environment for students.
  
• Cultivate meaningful and productive relationships with students, staff, and leaders by initiating critical conversations, having a visible presence, and maintaining regular communication.
  
• Assist in coordinating and providing proactive outreach efforts to assist in the retention goals of the university.
  
• Responsible for documenting student appointments and outreach efforts.
  
• Responsible for training other departments in relation to advising, financial counseling, and student support services.
  
• Build and maintain positive professional relationships with academic departments included in their IRIS Advising Team.

  
  Programming & Events Tasks



• Assist with onboarding new students during new student orientation.
  
• Organize and design departmental events, such as major exploration events, First Gen Day, financial literacy events, etc.
  
• Assist with various campus events and lead presentations on IRIS resources when needed.
  
• May be required to deliver instructional coursework for college success courses.

  
  Individuals in this seat support the following teams:



• CMU Tech IRIS - Director of CMU Tech Student Services and CMU Tech IRIS staff
  
• IRIS Advising Team (CMU Tech IRIS Team, Team Black, Team Gold, Team MAVroon) - IRIS Advisors are assigned to a team of 3-5 IRIS Advisors led by an IRIS Lead Advisor. IRIS Advising Teams are divided based on academic department.
  
• IRIS at CMU main campus - Director of IRIS, Assistant Director of IRIS-Advising, Lead of IRIS Student Experience (student employee supervisor), and IRIS department operations.
  
• Enrollment Management - IRIS Advisors support the overall efforts of the Enrollment Management team regarding student success, enrollment, and retention.
  
• Regularly collaborate with university partner offices, such as Financial Aid, Educational Access Services, Student Wellness Center, Student Services, Registrar, and Student Accounts.
  
• Leadership, Management, and Accountability (LMA) Responsibilities
  
• Lead and manage a team of 3-5 IRIS Advisors.
  
• Assist in hiring, training, and supervision of IRIS Advisors and IRIS professional staff.
  
• Supervision of a small student employee team (1-5) assigned may be required.

  
  Individuals in this seat are required to:



• Demonstrate a high level of discretion and professional judgment in actively assessing and advising students from all backgrounds on key aspects of student success, such as academic advising and registration, student finances, personal wellness, and student success skills.
  
• Interpret and apply institutional policies, procedures, and regulations related to academic, financial, and student support programs.
  
• Other duties may be assigned as needed by our business.

  SECTION
  III - OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

  For the success of
  our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a "Right Fit"
  in our seats. We define "Right Fit" as those who embrace our culture,
  demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek
  individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have
  the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

  CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS



• Must demonstrate strong communication, active listening, and relationship building skills
  
• Must embrace Appreciative Advising approach and student-centered customer service experience
  
• Ability to learn quickly and stay up to date on current academic and financial policies
  
• Ability to present complex information in an understandable manner to students, parents, and guests
  
• Ability to manage stress in demanding customer and student-service areas
  
• Ability to learn and adapt to new software and technology quickly
  
• Ability to prepare and present programming to various audiences
  
• Flexibility to juggle multiple student appointments, meetings, and duties
  
• Ability to maintain student confidentiality and educational privacy rights (FERPA)
  
• Ability to communication strategy, facilitate decision making and work through difficult conversations with people at all levels in the organization.
  
• Ability to embrace change and innovation
  
  ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT
  
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
  
• Experience working with diverse student populations, especially first-generation, low-income, academically underprepared and/or groups that are underrepresented in higher education.
  
• Two years of experience in customer service, academic advising, success coaching, college classroom teaching and/or counseling/social work.
  
• Experience in leadership, management, or supervision of professional staff.
  
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently as well as be a team player.
  
• Strong computer skills. Proficient with MS Office. Experience with Banner student database system experience and/or Slate software preferred.
  
  Reasonable
  accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
  the essential functions.
  
  DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical
  functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and
  areas of accountability.
  
  DIRECT INQUIRIES
  CONTACT: Wes Kosel, [email protected]
  
  HOW TO APPLY: Applicants will be
  asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then
  providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared
  to upload a:
  
• Cover letter
  
• Resume
  
• Include the name,
  phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional
  references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying
  for. Professional references should include at least one current or former
  supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former
  employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and
  can recommend you for employment.
  
• Copy of
  transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social
  security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading
  the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)

  ABOUT
  COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

  A comprehensive
  university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional
  educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado's
  largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction,
  its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via
  online offerings.

  Colorado Mesa
  University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western
  Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and
  international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling
  10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.
  
  At the heart of
  the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher
  education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to
  challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and
  thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain
  the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in
  life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong
  liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment
  needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce
  demands.
  
  The Grand Valley is
  home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you
  will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the
  Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class
  mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that's
  less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country
  skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one
  of Colorado's best kept secrets.
  
  Colorado Mesa
  University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working
  with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment
  to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students
  within higher education.
  
  Colorado Mesa
  University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living
  community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all
  final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations
  include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when
  appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able
  to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal
  Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and
  student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a
  disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided
  reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an
  employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU
  Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide
  additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional
  limitations and the type of accommodation needed.

  
  Colorado Mesa University
  
  Attn: Human Resources Office
  
  1100 North Avenue
  
  Grand Junction, CO 81501

  
  970.248.1820