Assistant Director of Academic Advising

This position is expected to be fully on-campus.

For full consideration attach a resume and a cover letter, explaining your qualifications and how you are the best candidate for the position.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our Talent Acquisition website.

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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. Talent Acquisition 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: 02-05-2024

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

The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences (PBSci) is a global engine of high-impact science and student research experiences. The division provides general science education for all UC Santa Cruz undergraduates, educates undergraduate science and engineering majors, and maintains research and graduate programs of national and international stature. The division comprises departments and programs of study, organized research units, instructional and research programs to attract and retain a diverse population of students, and a variety of support programs and facilities. Physical and Biological Sciences' annual state budget is approximately $45 million with $72 million in extramural research funding.

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Academic Advising, in coordination with department management, is responsible for the development, management, and evolution of the Science Excellence (Sci-X) program. Sci-X is a new divisional first- and second-year academic advising program. The overarching goal of the program is to create a developmental advising framework for all incoming students (both frosh and transfer) proposed in majors sponsored by departments in the division, with the express goal of ensuring on-time declaration and graduation. Frosh who enter the university officially proposed as Undeclared but who are assigned to an advising cluster associated with majors sponsored in the division will also be part of the program. The Assistant Director of Academic Advising will work with a dedicated team of academic and peer advisors to meet divisional, university, and system-wide goals and initiatives related to retention and on-time graduation.

The Assistant Director of Academic Advising is expected to identify systemic problems and issues and propose solutions to management on changes to department policy and procedures. This position provides advice and counsel on academic advising issues to other, experienced academic advisors.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $79,200 - $90,000/year. 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: 004541 (STDT ADVISOR SUPV 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

40% - Administrative/Student Success Programming Coordination and Development

• Collaborates with and incorporates campus student support services (such as EOP, STEM Diversity, Career Success, ACE, LSS, etc.) into Sci-X programming goals, objectives and outcomes assessment to ensure student retention and success.
• Develops relationships and programming with faculty from across the division to provide all first year students with a realistic connection between academic curriculum, research, graduate study, and career options.
• Designs, implements and assesses an Early Alert system for the Sci-X program that connects to UCOP 2030 goals and supports campus-specific goals for on-time major declaration.
• Develops, maintains, and monitors a major migration pathways structure that supports students changing proposed majors within and outside of the division.
• Coordinates and participates in student outreach or recruitment events.
• Helps facilitate and may serve as instructor of record for SCI-X First Year Experience for Science Excellence classes.

35% - Leadership/Supervision

• Supervises Science Excellence Advising Staff.
• Ensures effective on-boarding and training for academic advisors in the division.
  Represents the division on the Advising Council, and as part of that Council tackles campus-wide advising challenges and initiatives. As the divisional representative, is empowered to make decisions on behalf of programs in the division, with appropriate consultation.
• Maintains close communication with the science advising team with a specific focus on issues that our advising team is facing that limit their ability to effectively support students in science majors.
• Escalates concerns of the advising team to the division and Advising Council or other bodies, as appropriate.
• Serves on relevant divisional or campus-wide committees, task forces, etc.
• Develops and maintains tools and resources to help maximize the efficiency of the advising.

25% - Advising

• Works collaboratively with individual department advisors/advising offices in the division to ensure ease of transition from first- and second-year programming to specific major/department advising team.
• Analyzes barriers to student success and advocates for curricular changes and programmatic revisions to address the needs of undergraduates in the sciences.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Knowledge of theoretical concepts of student development that lead to success (including but not limited to social, emotional, cognitive, motivational, and developmental contexts).
• Skills in judgment and decision-making.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Project management skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to function effectively in a student-centered academic environment, including assessment of and solutions for group and individual needs.
• Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships across offices and personnel in diverse environments, including with faculty.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications for students, staff, and external agencies.
• Ability to evaluate, develop, interpret and apply policies and regulations which affect first year academic advising and programming.
• Ability to research current trends and best practices in academic development and support to make recommendations and implement necessary changes to programmatic efficacy.
• Ability to identify, develop, and coordinate plans for use of divisional resources.
• Ability to be flexible to changes and frequent interruptions, and simultaneously manage multiple tasks.
• Management and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability in leadership and in working effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with students, faculty, staff, and parents of diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds, and an understanding of the challenges faced by diverse student populations (including but not limited to first generation students, underrepresented minority students, students with disabilities, low-income students, LGBT students, non-traditional students, veterans) in higher education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in higher education administration, academic advising, education or related field.
• Knowledge of various software applications to include word processing, presentations, spreadsheets and databases, both commercial and proprietary.
• Knowledge of divisional, departmental, and university policies, procedures, and requirements.

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.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• 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 travel within a defined regional or service area.
• 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

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUBiz3WS3zErEGOhSOu7KZZPzGkTwr_2/view?usp=sharing. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

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.