Senior Undergraduate Advisor - Biology
Company: University of California - Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara
Posted on: May 10, 2025
Job Description:
Apply for JobJob ID77880
LocationUCSB Campus
Full/Part TimeFull Time
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Job Posting Details
Position Number: 40077684
Payroll Title: Student Academic Advisor 3
Job Code: 004545
Job Open Date: 4/24/25
Application Review Begins: 5/9/25; open until filled
Department Code (Name): EEMB (ECOLOGICAL BIOLOGY)
Percentage of Time: 100%
Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)
Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS
Salary Grade: Grade 19
Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University
reasonably expects to pay for this position is $58,600 to
$85,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate
qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the
application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the
University. The full salary range for this position is $58,600.00
to $100,800.00/year.
Work Location: Life Sciences room 3318
Working Days and Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-5:00pm
Benefits Eligibility: Full BenefitsSpecial Instructions:For full
consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part
of your application.
Department Marketing Statement:In the Department of Ecology,
Evolution, & Marine Biology we study how living organisms interact
with their environments and with each other, shaping and being
shaped by the world around them. Our research interests span
biological scales from the physiology and morphology of the
individual, to the behavior of groups, to the functioning of
ecosystems. We examine how organisms function in their present
environments, how they have been shaped by their evolutionary past,
and how they may adapt to a changing world. By addressing basic
scientific questions, we lay the foundational knowledge for
addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental issues.
We're fortunate to be based directly on the California coast,
allowing us to conduct research and teach in a myriad of
terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments including the
oceanic and coastal Pacific, estuarine, subtidal and intertidal
marine coastal ecosystems, and mountain, chaparral, oak woodland,
desert, island, and coastal terrestrial and freshwater
habitats.Benefits of Belonging:Working at UC means being part of
this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible.
People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by
making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health
are just one of the rewards. Brief Summary of Job Duties:The Senior
Undergraduate Advisor is one of two senior advisors in the
biological sciences. Together the senior advisors manage all
aspects of the undergraduate programs for two fully independent
departments: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB)
and Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology (EEMB). There are
approximately 3,500 undergraduate students in Bachelor of Arts and
Bachelor of Science degrees in 16 distinct and complex majors and
pre-majors. These include Pre-Biological Sciences B.A., Biological
Sciences B.A., Biological Sciences B.S. Aquatic Biology B.S.,
Ecology and Evolution B.S., Physiology B.S., Zoology B.S.,
Biochemistry-Molecular Biology B.S., Cell and Developmental Biology
B.S., Microbiology B.S., and Pharmacology B.S. The MCB major and
it's 4 emphases. Requires substantive knowledge of University,
College, and EEMB/MCDB departmental policies and procedures
regarding undergraduate student affairs, and the ability to
interpret information from various academic and administrative
offices. Provides academic advising to students, parents, faculty,
and staff as it relates to admissions, orientation programs,
outreach, and other curricular matters. Develops suitable
educational and professional plans for students and directly
advises them in the selection of appropriate majors, and on and off
campus internships designed to help identify and achieve their life
and career goals. Supervises students in academic difficulty and
develops appropriate action plans. Authoritatively restricts and
blocks students from taking further biology courses and de-majors
students from continuing to pursue majors within EEMB/MCDB. Manages
the departmental Honors Program and monitors independent research
projects. Advises students interested in multiple health
professions; undeclared students, transfer students, and students
in other science disciplines; counsels majors and non-majors
regarding UC and non-UC Education Abroad Programs, local and off
campus internships, research opportunities, and other experiential
opportunities to help students define and prepare for
post-graduation. Formulates and initiates policies within the
undergraduate program. Analyzes and acts independently on petitions
for exceptions to policy. Advises the College on changes and
additions to courses and academic requirements for majors.
Assembles the quarterly Schedule of Classes and two Summer
Sessions. Supervises and administers the Academic Peer Advising
Office. Participates in a variety of outreach efforts.
Independently evaluates pre-admission major applications and a
multitude of change of major petitions. Determines transfer
articulations and makes major course recommendations. Tracks
student progress from admission to graduation. Proposes updates,
reviews and maintains major sheets and general information.
Organizes and oversees the department's Senior Honors Ceremony.
Conducts instructional program information sessions with groups
associated with Orientation, Admissions, Gaucho Tours, Educational
Opportunity Program (EOP), Education Abroad Program (EAP), and
other student organizations.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in related area
and/or equivalent experience/training.4 years of experience in a
higher education administration, student services, or academic
role.1-3 years of experience in academic advising in higher
education program/college/or school.Preferred Qualifications:
Possess the ability to maintain
strict confidentiality with a high degree of sensitivity and
professionalism.Strong abilities in judgment, decision-making,
problem-solving, and project management.Strong abilities in
reasoning, problem identification, and development of creative
solutions to complex problems.Ability to work effectively and
cooperatively as a positive member of a multifaceted team.Skilled
in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
with peers, faculty, students, and administration.Strong verbal and
written communication skills.Substantive knowledge of (and ability
to interpret) UC policies, procedures, and requirements.Ability to
organize, prioritize and complete work with frequent
interruptions.Well versed in undergraduate issues.Strong computer
skills, and ability to use various programs (Email, Excel, Word) to
complete required tasks.Good sense of humor.
Special Conditions of Employment:
Satisfactory conviction history
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 allegation 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:
Job Functions and Percentages of Time:
40% Pre-Adm/Adm, General, &
Graduation Advising -
General Advising: Evaluates,
processes, and approves or denies change of major petitions to
enter any of the 16 distinct majors. Reviews each students'
progress, advises on schedule planning, clarifies their academic
and career goals and suggests appropriate courses and development
of suitable educational and experiential plans. Reviews student's
record for transfer work for major requirements, routes copies of
petitions to Letters and Science, Registrar's Office and other
departments as appropriate. Assists ineligible applicants, helps
them to define, and if necessary, reexamine their academic and
career objectives. Conducts interviews with transfer students,
determines acceptability of courses completed elsewhere for
substitution in meeting major requirements and assists the students
in academic planning and preparation for entrance into any of the
majors in biological sciences. Coordinates and participates in
general information meetings for all new students with an interest
in biological sciences. Academic Counseling/Advising/Career and
Graduate Schools: Provides individual academic counseling/advising
in regards to 16 distinct majors' requirements, academic planning,
course requirements, academic difficulties, transfer work,
internship placement and graduation. Evaluates students' major
progress, guiding them in setting appropriate schedules. Identifies
students' academic problems and suggests appropriate courses of
action and/or educational resources available to them. Meets with
new freshmen and parents during Freshmen Orientation and one on one
throughout the year providing academic information into the
biological sciences. Advises students interested in Education
Abroad and independently approves for recommendation EAP programs.
Provides career and graduate school information. Acts as a liaison
with the EEMB Graduate Advisor. Answers questions regarding
counseling programs, social work and licensing schools, as well as
academic, professional and teaching credentialing programs. Gives
guidance regarding acquiring internships. Writes letters of
recommendation. Directs students to available resources including
individual faculty members, Career Services, and Graduate Division.
Academic Probation, Restriction, and Dismissal: Analyzes student
progress and tracks students in academic difficulty, assists them
with their academic and professional goals, identifies strengths
and weaknesses in areas related to their major, and counsels them
in developing an appropriate academic plan. Independently develops
formal contracts with students who show continuing difficulty,
counsels/advises them on setting realistic goals, and monitors
progress. Reviews the progress of students on contract and
appraises the Directors of Undergraduate Studies in both
departments of cases where dismissal from the major is justified.
Authoritatively restricts and blocks students from taking further
biology courses. Graduation Matters: Conducts degree evaluations
for all departmental majors. Exercises judgment with respect to
general guidelines and goals established by the department and
evaluates and authoritatively signs petitions on behalf of the
Chair regarding graduation matters, substitutions, waivers, and
independent studies. Serves as the resource to the College of
Letters and Science and the Registrar's Office for official
undergraduate evaluations. Also, incumbent assists students in MCDB
in the absence of the MCDB Undergraduate advisor. Advising Faculty
and other Instructors: Advises new and continuing faculty
instructors, as well as lecturers and Teaching Assistants on
departmental/college as well as university policies and procedures.
Advises new and continuing instructors on student advising issues;
provides resources and information to instructors for student
assistance; takes referrals from instructors for advising a student
in crisis or with other academic issues. Assists instructors on
determining course scheduling needs for student progress to degree.
Advising Distressed Students: Consults with students facing urgent
issues or crises, including students in personal and/or emotional
distress. Works toward stabilizing distressed students and provides
support by: clarifying the problem, explaining relevant policies
and deadlines, problem solving, anticipating obstacles, and
directing students to appropriate services, agencies, and
departments on campus.
25% Career Advising -
Develops, in collaboration with the
Chair and Undergraduate Curriculum committee in EEMB, materials to
deliver career advising for EEMB majors. Develops and maintains a
resource list of career options and assist with departmental
advertising of research opportunities in EEMB. Assists faculty with
interaction with two centers in campus, ONDAS and the Transfer
Student Center in order to interact with under-represented students
and first-generations students, increasing their awareness of
career options for undergraduates with degrees from EEMB.
Identifies problem areas, interprets and creates policies, and
initiates new programs to ensure that the undergraduate program
meets the needs of the students while maintaining the goals and
standards set by the department and the College. Analyzes the major
requirements, strongly recommends and initiates changes and reports
to the departmental Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Major
Oversight Advisors regarding programmatic problems and the effect
of curriculum changes on undergraduate programs. Prepares quarterly
reports for the Curriculum Committee and the Major Oversight
Advisors regarding enrollments. Notifies the appropriate
departmental and college offices of any changes proposed as a
result of the annual review to insure this information is included
in the published requirement sheets and the UCSB General Catalog.
10% Liaison Duties -
Serves as a liaison between Letters
and Science, College of Creative Studies, the Office of the
Registrar, Education Abroad, Admissions, Dean of Students,
Counseling and Career Services, Extension, Orientation, Summer
Sessions, and other campus offices and academic departments on all
matters of undergraduate affairs. Communicates with University
administrators and other departments regarding changes in the
undergraduate majors. Advises students and faculty of policies and
consequences of their actions regarding inappropriate behaviors,
informs them of their rights, and possible avenues of
recourse/referral.
20% Program Administration -
Outreach: Participates in a variety
of annual campus outreach efforts - Alumni Day, Spring Insight,
Orientation, Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP), EAP,
Summer Sessions and others. Responds on behalf of the department to
all inquiries about the Department, College or University
transfers, class schedules, catalogs, curriculum and major program
requirements and makes this information available to the Office of
Admissions, the Office of Relations with Schools; the Information
Center, to counselors from junior colleges and high schools, and to
others as required. Advises prospective students, in writing or in
special group meetings of the programs available in the department,
other relevant campus programs, and career opportunities in the
field of biological science. Annually reviews and updates
articulation agreements between the University and the California
Community Colleges, in conjunction with the Office of Relations
with Schools and the College of Letters and Sciences, notes
proposed and effected curricula changes and their effect on major
requirements and student progress towards established degrees.
Annually reviews, updates, and maintains accurate general
information sheets for each of the majors and distributes them to
the Office of Admissions, the Office of Relations with Schools, the
General Information Center, to counselors from junior colleges and
high schools and to others as requested. Peer Advising: Supervises
the EEMB/MCDB Peer Advising Office. Recruits, interviews, selects,
trains, evaluates, and mentors the performance of biology
undergraduates as peer advisors as they provide major, graduate and
career planning information. Honor's Program: Manages the Senior
Honors Program, screens applicants for eligibility, monitoring
progress, solicits faculty recommendations, and informs the campus
offices of successful participants. Administers departmental
registration of undergraduates in the Special/Tutorial courses,
reviews the records of students applying for eligibility and
adequacy of preparation, records the number of units towards
honors, maintains the historical record of approved project
outlines. This is done for each student under each faculty member.
Coordinates several departmental scholarships, identifies potential
candidates, solicits applications or nominations, and assists
faculty review committees. Student Resources and Files: Serves as
the departmental student records coordinator, attends required
annual meetings and workshops with the Student Information Systems
Office and keeps the department informed about rules and
regulations regarding student records and issues of
confidentiality. Maintains filing system of undergraduate student
records, including active files of approximately 3500 major
students as well as several thousand inactive files of previous
undergraduate students. Maintains confidentiality in the
utilization of student files by faculty and staff.
Scheduling/Master Course Approval: Prepares the quarterly Schedule
of Classes and ensures its accuracy. Reconciles issues arising from
faculty and graduate student constraints, room availability and
teaching conflicts. Prepares schedule adjustments and publicizes
changes to the schedule. Serves as the contact person to faculty
regarding course administration. Prepares, modifies, updates,
discontinues, and creates courses via the on-line Master Course
Approval System. Grades Processing: Coordinator for E grades.
5% Miscellaneous Responsibilities -
Is responsible for the
development/maintenance of the departmental class waiting lists
Serves as the backup for textbook ordering Responsible for the
undergraduate advisor desk manual Represents the department on
campus task forces and committeesHandles room reservations as
needed Maintains Biology Undergraduate WebsiteUC Vaccination
Programs Policy:
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with
the University of California on Vaccinations Programs. As a
condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University
Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any
applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are
Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for
Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in
an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized
terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal,
state, or local public health directives may impose additional
requirements.
For more information, please visit:
* UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information -
https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information
* University of California Policy on Vaccinations -
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy
*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone
designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who
physically access a University Facility or Program in connection
with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person
accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics,
entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as
a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.
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 status under state or federal
law.
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Keywords: University of California - Santa Barbara, Alhambra , Senior Undergraduate Advisor - Biology, Other , Santa Barbara, California
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