Academic Advisor, Degree Completion Program Coordinator (Hybrid)

University of California - Merced; Merced (CA); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking an Academic Advisor, Degree Completion Program (DCP) Coordinator to support reentry students and manage degree completion processes.

Under the Director of Student Services, you will provide advising for reentry, prospective, and current students, and work with SSHA leadership to improve policies and practices. This role requires collaboration with SSHA advisors, faculty, and campus services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or student affairs is required.
• Advanced degree in education, counseling, or student affairs is preferred.
• At least 3 years of directly related student services experience is expected; master’s may substitute for one year.

Responsibilities

• Onboard reentry students into SSHA, coordinate reentry activities and events.
• Advise students on progression, degree requirements, and general education options.
• Advise instructors on university requirements and scheduling needs for student progression.
• Collaborate with SSHA and other campuses to align degree completion programs.
• May supervise student employees and provide referrals to support services.

Skills

Advising

Counseling

Policy knowledge

Problem solving

Communication

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or student affairs

Advanced degree preferred

3 years of related student services experience

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 88588

Location: Merced

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $57,300 - $67,725.

Job Closing Date

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: Hybrid, 5 days in office from start to end of month 3; 4 days in office, 1 day remote from month 4-6; 3 days in office, 2 days remote after as long as probation is successfully completed.

This union position is represented by the bargaining UAW-SSAP (SV).

Initial applicant review will take place on or around September 15, 2026. Posting may close any time after the review date.

CANRA (U13): Mandated Child Abuse Reporter

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About the Job

The Academic Advisor, Degree Completion Program (DCP) Coordinator supports reentry of students and processes, associated with degree completion and persistence/retention initiatives. Under the direction of the Director of Student Services, while applying skills as a seasoned, experienced academic advisor, the Academic Advisor, DCP Coordinator provides academic advising for reentry, prospective, and current students in the School's programs. A dimension of responsibilities includes pre-advising to provide degree-planning explanations and general guidance toward degree-completion goals.

The Academic Advisor, DCP Coordinator works closely with SSHA Academic Advisors, faculty, and other campus academic advisors in the planning, development, and implementation of a coordinated and comprehensive academic advising program for reentry and returning students. Interprets and explains University and School policies and procedures relevant to undergraduate programs. Advises faculty and management on a variety of reentry and returning student issues/challenges. Works with SSHA Leadership to recommend changes to policies, practices, and procedures as they apply and impact this demographic. Provides a welcoming atmosphere for reentry, prospective, and current students in the School and directs them to appropriate University resources. Advises and counsels individuals with unique and/or confidential problems/challenges, and arranges specialized help for students as needed through other support services within the University. Provides student services support to traditional transfer students alongside the Academic Advisor, Transfer Coordinator.

Provides advice to students on the full range of school requirements, including a wide variety of course requirements. Develops advising materials and tools for use by students and other academic advising units. Recommends solutions to progression and requirement issues. Advice may include programs that are not clearly defined, such as independent study, interdisciplinary, or multiple programs. Attends campus-wide events, including but not limited to Commencement, Bobcat Day, etc., in representation of SSHA. Works independently under general supervision and professional judgment about complex issues without direct guidance. May supervise student employees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for onboarding of reentry students into the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA), including but not limited to reentry activities, processes, events, and programs. Researches, develops, plans, and executes School activities & initiatives for reentry and returning students, including but not limited to SSHA DCP Reentry Open House, Coffee and Tea at the TRV, mandatory reentry meetings, and other reentry initiatives. Oversees other Degree Completion Program programs and processes. Provides student services support to traditional transfer students alongside the Academic Advisor, Transfer Coordinator.
• Provides advice and assistance to students on all aspects of their academic experience, including progression and requirement matters, 2-3 faculty department/School/campus-wide General Education. Identifies students with GPA or progress problems, advises students, and recommend appropriate courses of action by the department/School (e.g., academic probation, dismissal, Normal Progress Policy). Determines barriers, distractions, and complications affecting students' academic success, helps students recognize these key nonacademic issues, and makes appropriate referrals for additional therapeutic counseling and/or assistance from other units. Advises students on a wide range of course possibilities and/or ways to complete degree requirements that may not be clearly defined. Confirms that students have met requirements for degree completion when there are no clear precedents or articulations, such as interdisciplinary programs, or when transfer work is involved.
• Advises new and continuing instructors on departmental/School and/or university requirements and student advising issues. Provides faculty referrals to the appropriate offices, including the Office of Student Conduct and the Dean of Students Office. Advises new and continuing instructors on major, School, and university policies and procedures. Assists faculty in determining course scheduling needs for student progression to graduation. Participates in planning academic curriculum in collaboration with the chair and faculty, and with other departments, to ensure students' progress through course sequences, avoid conflicts, and ensure compliance with organization-wide policies.
• Collaborates with other Degree Completion Program partners/colleagues across the UC Merced campus and amongst the University of California Reengagement Consortium (UCRC).
• Other duties as assigned. Includes responding to other unanticipated advising support questions, inquiries, and needs. May supervise student employees.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in education, counseling, or student affairs.
• Advanced degree in education, counseling, or student affairs. (Preferred)

AND

• 3 years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in a student services job function, or an equivalent combination of education/experience. A Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques. Knowledge of multiple majors, colleges, and school.
• Thorough knowledge of department/school/college policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving.
• Abilities in problem identification, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including active listening.
• Ability to multi-task.

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity: 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.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy: The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify: All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/