Undergraduate Advisor

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. We cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10-07-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

This position is shared between the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry in the Division of Physical & Biological Sciences. The division provides general science education for all UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) undergraduates, educates undergraduate science and engineering majors, and maintains research and graduate programs of national and international stature. This position will report to the department manager in Earth & Planetary Sciences and have responsibilities for supporting undergraduate majors in both departments.

The Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, located in the Earth & Marine Science Building, is a dynamic group comprised of instructional and research units and a variety of support programs and facilities with a staff committed to providing excellent service to students, faculty, and researchers. The department offers two bachelor of science degrees, Earth Sciences B.S. and Environmental Sciences B.S., and co-sponsors an interdisciplinary combined Earth Sciences/Anthropology B.A. degree program. There is also an Earth Sciences minor and several concentrations associated with the Earth Sciences major.

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UCSC is an inclusive, supportive, and innovative community whose common goal is to create new chemical knowledge and to mentor the best and brightest students who will define the next frontiers of chemical science. As chemistry is central to modern science and is crucial to creating new knowledge and improving human experiences, we are committed to delivering quality education in our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and to groundbreaking research in biomedical and materials science. The department offers the following undergraduate degree programs: Chemistry B.A., Chemistry B.S., Chemistry B.S. with a Biochemistry Concentration, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S., and a Chemistry minor.

JOB SUMMARY

This Undergraduate Advisor position will support the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department (50%), and the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department (50%). Working in collaboration with the department managers and lead undergraduate advisors of both departments, the undergraduate advisor will support all majors sponsored in or supported by the two departments. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting students to define and develop a realistic academic plan and class schedule to ensure adequate progress towards degree objectives (including revisions throughout a student's career); monitoring student progress through grades and other performance indicators; assisting with enrollment issues, advertising and discussing scholarship and research opportunities with qualified students; providing referrals to resources for students who need academic support or connections with other student support services. This position is also responsible for assisting departmental colleagues on curriculum and scheduling review.

This position will be housed in the Earth, Planetary, and Ocean Sciences Administrative Unit, which supports two departments: the Earth & Planetary Sciences Department, and the Ocean Sciences Department. This administrative unit is comprised of seven administrative staff, including a Senior Department Manager, an Assistant Department Manager, two Graduate Program Advisors (one for each department), two Undergraduate Program Advisors (one shared with Chemistry), and one full-time Administrative Assistant. The Earth & Planetary Sciences Department and the Ocean Sciences Department jointly administer an interdepartmental undergraduate major in Environmental Sciences.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $29.00 - $32.50/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004544 (STDT ACAD ADVISOR 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

70% - STUDENT ADVISING

• Monitors and evaluates students' completion of academic requirements.
• Applies professional concepts to independently provide prescriptive advice and assistance to students on academic and degree progress and major requirements for the department.
• Assists students in determining a major, alternative academic options, scheduling conflicts, and similar issues.
• Identifies student needs for programs and services.
• Refers students to non-academic resources as appropriate.
• Applies articulated courses to degree requirements and certifies degree completion.
• Advises on moderately complex issues such as multiple degrees, or withdrawal from the University.
• Communicates and exchanges information with other units of the organization and makes referrals to help students with their academic program (e.g., health service, disabled students program, college advisers, transfer center, other academic departments, career center, EOP, etc.).
• Provides information to students on programs with special, clearly articulated eligibility requirements such as honors programs, awards, fellowships, scholarships, and advanced level courses.
• Knowledge of barriers to student success and intervention techniques to help students overcome difficulties.

20% - PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

• Advises department on scheduling needs for student course progression and requirements completion.
• Develops, publishes, and maintains program information online, in publications and newsletters or other means of regular communication with students with interest in degree programs in department.
• Collaborates with and makes valuable contributions to the Physical and Biological Sciences Advising Team (other undergraduate advisers, department managers and divisional analyst) to coordinate class offerings, plan for key events and deadlines, and develop and share best practices.
• Provides assistance and training to faculty advisers (helping them to understand and interpret policy and procedures related to undergraduate academic degree progress and completion.

10% - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

• Maintains detailed and precise records.
• Develops, coordinates, and supports all aspects of department-sponsored undergraduate program-related events.
• Represents department on standing and ad-hoc campus and divisional committees.
• Maintains cross-training relationships with other advisers in the Physical and Biological Sciences.
• Periodically fills in for other advisers when needed and provides training to new advising staff in the departments in the Physical and Biological Sciences.
  Prepares and maintains training materials, job documentation, and departmental best practices in advising.
• Special projects as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Basic knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with students, faculty, staff and parents, all with various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain a high level of professionalism in all circumstances, work effectively in a team situation, and make presentations to small and large audiences.
• Computer skills sufficient for preparation and management of a large volume of email, shared documents, databases, spreadsheets, and presentations using standard office programs (MS Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro database, etc.) and ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion when handling confidential situations or materials.
• Demonstrated research, statistical, and analytical skills with ability to recall, retrieve, and communicate detailed information quickly, accurately, and clearly both verbally and in writing, including preparation of concise written summaries.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills sufficient to independently set priorities and maintain a professional manner within a complex and fast-paced environment with competing needs and requiring attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively under the pressure of specific timelines and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills to effectively solve multi-faceted problems within an administrative context.
• Demonstrated flexibility, initiative, productivity, and efficiency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of departmental courses (including prerequisites, corequisites and enrollment limitations), curricular offerings, and majors.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform essential physical job functions.
• Will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination