Northern Illinois University (NIU) is accepting applications for the position of Athletics Academic Coordinator. This is a full-time, 12-month position with benefits. The Athletics Academic Coordinator for student-athletes utilizes advising skills to create an atmosphere that emphasizes the primacy of student-athletes’ academic responsibilities in the attainment of academic success. The Coordinator shall have an advising caseload of student-athletes organized by teams and have the responsibility for other departmental programs as appointed to by the Director.

The mission of NIU Athletics is to enhance the University, community and region through service and engagement while developing champions in the classroom, in competition and in life. With long standing traditions and core values centered on family, NIU Athletics is home to 17 NCAA Division I sport programs. Northern Illinois University, chartered in 1895, is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with over 19,000 currently enrolled students and houses seven (7) degree-granting colleges—Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Centrally located in DeKalb, Northern Illinois University is 30 miles west of Aurora, 65 miles west of Chicago, 36 miles west of Naperville, and 45 miles southeast of Rockford.

This position will report to the Associate Director for SAASS and ultimately to the Sr. Associate Athletic Director for SAASS. The Athletics Academic Coordinator creates an atmosphere that recognizes the importance of student-athletes’ responsibilities in the attainment of academic success. The Athletics Academic Coordinator utilizes advising skills to provide academic and personal support while monitoring academic achievement of their advising caseload.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accurately assess student athlete’s academic eligibility and academic progress in order to intervene, advise and recommend solutions.
• Be proactive, intervening and solution-oriented in addressing student academic issues and advocating on their behalf.
• Identifying and addressing personal and academic issues that impinge on academic success.
• Work closely with student-athletes and their coaches.
• Work in conjunction with appropriate college and university liaisons relative to student progress, petitions, academic programs and academic eligibility.
• Understand and address the needs of a diverse student-athlete population.
• Act as the facilitator for proctoring exams for other schools on our campus.
• Utilize academic tools to improve student’s academic planning skills, assist with the development of strategies for personal growth and modeling for individual decision making.
• Counsel students regarding communications and interpersonal skills related to academic success and other academic situations.
• Act as an intermediary between student athletes and other University personnel.
• Promote academically responsible student-athletes.
• Possess an extensive working knowledge and maintain a strict adherence to Northern Illinois University, Mid-American Conference and NCAA rules and regulations as they relate to retention, eligibility and advisement.
• Act as the facilitator on arranging for student-athletes to have exams proctored at other schools during road trips as assigned by the Director.
• Serve as Tutor Coordinator – hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising a tutor staff to meet the needs of the student-athlete population.

• Conduct outreach activities for assigned teams (i.e., attend team practices, periodic team travel, regular meetings with coaches, etc.).
• Work with other coordinators, athletics administration, coaches and other offices to create a positive and supportive environment.
• Work collaboratively with campus units (colleges, orientation, advisors, etc.) to promote the academic success of student-athletes.
• Be committed to supporting the mission, vision, philosophy and values of SAASS and Intercollegiate Athletics rather than focusing solely on one’s own interests.
• Understand the role of the academic coordinator in the recruitment of first-year students and transfer student-athletes through on-campus meetings and the evaluation of credentials.
• Work in conjunction with the Athletic Department in the recruitment process.
• When practical voluntarily attend all athletic events to promote audience participation and support for NIU team efforts.

• Thoroughly and accurately complete reports/evaluations that adhere to deadlines set by department policy.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Strict adherence to unit policies, procedures and processes to instructions or directions put forth by supervisory personnel and to following the chain of command.
• Look introspectively at personal and academic performance and develop strategies for improvement.
• Challenge one’s self by setting high professional goals, and developing a plan for achieving and measuring those goals.
• Willing to work evening and weekends as necessary.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service):

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Bachelor’s degree in Adult Education, Higher Education, Education/Teaching, Sports Administration, Psychology, Counseling, Personnel/Human Resources or related field.
2. Six (6) months of experience providing academic support services (academic advising, academic counseling, tutoring) to student athletes at the college or university level that includes knowledge and experience working with NCAA eligibility rules and regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing quality educational guidance. This includes student needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of student satisfaction.
2. Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in the presentation and delivery of academic programs, strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, recruitment methods, and coordination of people and resources.
3. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
4. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
5. Knowledge of educational, evaluation, and measurement principles, practices, methods, and techniques, university policies and procedures.
6. Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively; ability to develop a rapport with students.
7. Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
8. Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service):

• Master’s degree
• Demonstrated ability working effectively with a diverse population of students and staff and possess excellent communication and organizational skills.

About Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University, located in DeKalb, Illinois, is a NCAA Division I institution and a member of the Mid-American Conference.

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