Student Services Specialist – Neuroscience PhD Program

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 94,998 - 112,502; Full time

Job summary

The Stanford Neurosciences IDP is seeking a Student Services Officer 2 to manage program operations and provide comprehensive support to students and faculty on the Palo Alto campus. This 100% FTE, exempt role is hybrid‑eligible and reports to program leadership.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive student services professional with strong communication, policy expertise, and the ability to handle multiple projects with autonomy in a complex academic environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of Stanford University systems and policies.
• Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.

Responsibilities

• Administer an area or program in student services, evaluate and recommend decisions on program eligibility. Review decisions recommended by other staff.
• Collaborate with others to help resolve program issues and concerns, interpret policies, and mediate complex and sensitive issues. May be tasked with evaluating and recommending program improvements.
• Resolve multi‑dimensional matters in response to students in crisis, at risk, or who have other program issues, counsel students and parents on sensitive and confidential issues.
• Provide guidance and counsel, oversee and develop a wide range of programs and services, analyze effectiveness and make recommendations for future programs.
• Reconcile complex issues; analyze diverse transactions from multiple sources.
• Summarize data from multiple sources, prepare management reports and presentations.
• Identify and evaluate data needs, manage the implementation and development of technology.
• Develop and implement plans for outreach efforts, develop and maintain external community and university liaison, represent department and university at meetings and events.

Skills

Prioritize work

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Initiative

Communication

Judgment

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Graduate Program is seeking a Student Services Officer 2 to manage program operations and provide critical and comprehensive support to students and faculty. This is a 100% FTE continuing, exempt position based on the Stanford campus and is hybrid-eligible, subject to operational need.

The Neurosciences IDP offers training leading to a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. The primary goal of the program is to train students to become leaders in neuroscience research, education, and outreach. Graduates of the program will be innovators, investigators, and teachers whose programs and pursuits are founded on research. With approximately 80 graduate students and 125 affiliated faculty across the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Humanities & Sciences, and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, the Neurosciences IDP is one of the largest programs in the School of Medicine. The signature feature of the program is the combination of outstanding faculty researchers and exceedingly bright, energetic students in a community that shares a firm and longstanding commitment to understanding the nervous system at all its levels of function.

The Student Services Officer 2 will partner with program leadership and staff to ensure student success and drive program excellence. This position will administer, implement, and interpret university and department policies and procedures on issues regarding admission, financial aid, housing, registrar services, visa services, student life, advising, career counseling and academic services and will identify, clarify, and resolve highly visible or complex issues with substantial significance and impact that may span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge requiring independent judgment.

The program is seeking an experienced student services professional who is dedicated to continuously learning and mastering policies and procedures, is organized, and excels in managing concurrent projects of varying complexity. The ideal candidate will be proactive, customer-focused, flexible, reliable, and able to work under a high degree of autonomy in being the primary resource for the program’s graduate students. It is essential that the candidate have strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and be confident in explaining and upholding policy. We seek someone with a positive mindset who is community-minded and able to connect with a diverse student population.

Duties include*:

•Administer an area or program in student services, evaluate and recommend decisions on program eligibility. Review decisions recommended by other staff.
•Collaborate with others to help resolve program issues and concerns, interpret policies, and mediate complex and sensitive issues. May be tasked with evaluating and recommending program improvements.
•Resolve multi-dimensional matters in response to students in crisis, at risk, or who have other program issues, counsel students and parents on sensitive and confidential issues.
•Provide guidance and counsel, oversee and develop a wide range of programs and services, analyze effectiveness and make recommendations for future programs.
•Reconcile complex issues; analyze diverse transactions from multiple sources.
•Summarize data from multiple sources, prepare management reports and presentations.
•Identify and evaluate data needs, manage the implementation and development of technology.
•Develop and Implement plans for outreach efforts, develop and maintain external community and university liaison represent department and university at meetings and events.
•Provide advice to students on a range of issues, including, but not limited to, academic progress, academic program policies, career plans, accessibility, community standards, etc., in order to assist them in making appropriate choices and decisions. May have to escalate issues to a senior advisor.
•Apprise students of research, fellowship and scholarship opportunities, make recommendations and may award grants.
•Serve as a subject matter expert to students and other departments; represent unit/department.
•May lead, create and contribute to development of business practices and organizational change to improve processes and workflow.
•May oversee, analyze and assist in financial processes and development of budgets.
•Serve as a key member of project teams.
•Perform administrative duties as needed.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

The expected pay range for this position is $94,998 to $112,502 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [e-mail]. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University's research mission.

Qualifications:

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

•Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task.
•Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.
•Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
•Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
•Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
•Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
•Knowledge of Stanford University systems and policies
•Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

•Strong communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and management.
•Advanced analysis and problem-solving skills.
•Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
•Advanced customer service skills.
•Relevant computer systems/technology experience.
•Understanding of financial transactions.
•Ability to ensure and apply compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

•Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.
•Occasionally stand, walk, twist, use fine manipulation, grasp, use a telephone, write by hand, sort and file paperwork, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.