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Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Advisor

University of California - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States


UC Santa Cruz has a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) committed to providing excellent service to students, faculty, and researchers. This position works as part of an advising and student success‑focused team within the Physical and Biological Sciences Division.

Job Summary
The advisor is responsible for undergraduate outreach, orientation, and academic advising for the following majors: Biology BA, Ecology and Evolution BS, Marine Biology MS, and Plant Science BS. Responsibilities include helping students define and develop a realistic academic plan and class schedule, monitoring student progress, assisting with enrollment issues, advertising scholarship and research opportunities, and providing support for students requiring academic assistance or connections with other student support services.

Appointment Information
Budgeted Salary:

$31.13 /hour – $34.00 /hour

(salary commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience). Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits. Schedule Information: Full‑time, 40 hours per week, Monday‑Friday, day shift. Employee Classification: Career appointment. Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus. Union Representation: SV Union.

Job Duties
70% – STUDENT ADVISING

Monitors and evaluates students’ completion of academic requirements; includes administrative support for major declaration and graduation processing.

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 Success, 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.

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 advisors, department managers and divisional analysts) to coordinate class offerings, plan for key events and deadlines, and develop and share best practices.

Provides assistance and training to faculty advisors (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 advisors 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.

Works on special projects, as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a 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.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Ability to 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.

Ability to work effectively under the pressure of specific timelines and deadlines.

Skills in problem‑solving to effectively solve multi‑faceted problems within an administrative context.

Demonstrated flexibility, initiative, productivity, and efficiency.

Knowledge of barriers to student success and intervention techniques to help students overcome difficulties.

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.

Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.

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 to multiple work locations on and off campus.

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 the 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.

EEO/AA Statement
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

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