Undergraduate Advisor

University of California, Santa Cruz; California (MO); On-site; USD 69,150 - 79,700; Full time

Job summary

UC Santa Cruz is hiring an Academic Advisor for Baskin Engineering’s BE Undergraduate Advising Office. The role focuses on advising BE undergraduates on majors, policies, and degree progress, while collaborating with BE staff and faculty to ensure student success.

The position emphasizes continuous improvement, including piloting new advising technologies and AI tools to enhance service delivery and student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area or equivalent experience/training.
• Substantial advising experience.
• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Decision-making and judgment skills.
• Ability to identify problems, apply reasoning and develop original ideas.

Responsibilities

• Advising students on academic progression and Baskin Engineering requirements; support degree planning.
• Assist instructors with student advising issues and coordinate with BE staff advisors and faculty.
• Provide guidance on course possibilities and degree completion strategies; help with scheduling needs.
• Assist with evaluating petitions and exceptions for Baskin Engineering requirements.
• Support data-driven advising improvements and use of AI tools where appropriate.

Skills

Advising experience

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Discretion with confidential info

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Generative AI tools familiarity

Job description

JOB POSTING

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a Baskin Engineering or affiliate staff position. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

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 Baskin Engineering at UC Santa Cruz is unique among public engineering schools. Founded in 1997, in the age of the internet, the Baskin Engineering community is deeply committed to addressing the most important engineering challenges posed by our modern world. Faculty and students pursue novel, visionary research guided by a mission to create positive societal impact. Through future-looking programs of study and opportunities to engage in collaborative research across campus and with industry partners in Santa Cruz and nearby Silicon Valley, Baskin engineers are developing meaningful innovations that improve the lives of people and the health of our planet.

In addition to the scenic residential campus in Santa Cruz, the Westside Research Park hosts genomics and electrical and computer engineering labs and interdisciplinary research. Baskin's Silicon Valley campus is home to faculty, graduate students, and professional master’s programs with deep connections to this world-renowned hub for research and innovation.

Baskin Engineering champions new ideas, fosters collaboration, and upholds the UCSC Principles of Community.

Job Summary

The Academic Advisor provides detailed and accurate information and advice on BE majors and policies, interacting with students, faculty, other academic department advisors, and the college advisors to support the success and retention of engineering undergraduate students. The Academic Advisor also participates in continuous improvement efforts, including pilot initiatives involving emerging advising technologies to enhance service delivery.

As a major component of the BE Undergraduate Student Affairs portfolio, the Baskin Engineering (BE) Undergraduate Advising Office provides centralized academic advising for all undergraduate majors in the School of Engineering. Operating in this centralized office structure, the Undergraduate Advisor stays current with knowledge of all undergraduate engineering majors and associated minors.

Appointment Information

Budgeted Salary: $69,150 - $79,700/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: SV Union

Job Code Classification: 005141 (STDT ACAD ADVISOR 3 SV)

Travel: Never or Rarely

Job Duties

70% - Advising

• Advises and assists students on all aspects of their academic experience, including progression and requirement matters for Baskin Engineering.
• Provides advice to new and continuing instructors on student advising issues.
• Works collaboratively with BE Staff Advisors and faculty to provide effective advising and information for students.
• Advises students on a wide range of course possibilities and ways to complete degree requirements that may not be clearly defined.
• Assists faculty with determining course scheduling needs for student progression to graduation.
• Evaluates and advises students on petitions for exceptions to Baskin Engineering.
• 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.
• Identifies students with GPA or progress problems, advises students, and recommends appropriate courses of action needed by Baskin Engineering (e.g., academic probation, dismissal).
• Participates in planning academic curriculum in collaboration with chair and faculty, and with other departments, to ensure students' progress through course sequences.
• Avoids conflicts and ensures compliance with organization-wide policies.
• Determines barriers, distractions, and complications affecting a student's academic success, helps students recognize these key non-academic issues, and makes appropriate referrals for additional therapeutic counseling and assistance from other units.
• Attends major declaration workshops, reviews plans, advises students, and answers questions.
• Reviews and completes student request forms.
• Acts as liaison with faculty undergraduate directors in one or more BE Academic programs, as needed.
• Facilitates students' ability to resolve academic issues or concerns, consulting with faculty undergraduate directors or the Associate Dean when appropriate.
• Participates in pilot initiatives and continuous improvement efforts related to advising technologies, including generative AI tools.

30% - Advising Administration

• Compiles and sends broad announcements to BE students using Slug Success.
• Monitors Canvas courses, declares students, and sends reminder emails to students who need to complete the course as necessary.
• Updates students' portals in AIS to reflect major and minor changes.
• Assists with student orientations including staffing orientation sessions and preparing presentation information and materials.
• Responds to emails sent to the general BE Undergraduate Advising inbox.
• Verifies completion of major requirements for students who have applied to graduate and follows up with students concerning missing requirements.
• Contacts graduating students quarterly in majors with information about exit requirements, and coordinates with faculty to schedule exit interviews for students.
• Supports improvements to advising communication tools, including AI-assisted resources.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Substantial advising experience.
• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Decision-making and judgment skills.
• Ability to identify problems, apply reasoning and develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Organizational skills with the ability to multi-task.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Oral communication skills.
• Written communication skills.
• Ability to use discretion with dealing with confidential or sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in related area.
• Knowledge of multiple majors, colleges, and schools.
• Thorough knowledge of Baskin Engineering policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools or other emerging technologies used to enhance advising, student support, or service delivery environments.

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.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• 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.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/.

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 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.