Graduate Student Advisor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-11-2025

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 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), located on the Coastal Science Campus on Monterey Bay, is a dynamic group of instructional and research units with staff committed to providing excellent service to students, faculty, and researchers. Our departmental strengths include a collegial and highly accomplished faculty, exciting research, and the integration of both graduate and undergraduate education into our research endeavors.

The department consists of 25 ladder-rank faculty and approximately 60 academic personnel, including lecturers, researchers, and technical support staff. Departmental resources for operations and research are among the highest in the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. The department has 85 graduate students working toward Ph.D. and master's degrees. EEB is closely aligned with the research and faculty in Ocean Sciences, the Institute of Marine Sciences, NOAA, NMFS, MBARI, the California Academy of Sciences, and other partners.

More information can be found at: https://www.eeb.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Using skills as a seasoned, experienced Student Services professional, the Graduate Student Advisor provides the full range of student services for students pursuing M.A. and Ph.D. degrees within the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Under the direction of the Department Manager, the incumbent independently manages the department's graduate program, including the coordination of programmatic activities and administration oversight. The primary functional areas of this position include: (1) student advising; (2) program planning, analysis, and administration; (3) academic student employment (ASE titles) and training; (4) graduate student recruitment, admissions, and orientation; and (5) graduate program budget management. The Graduate Student Advisor advises faculty and management on a variety of student issues, and works with the department's management to recommend changes to policies, practices, and procedures. Guidance on issues requiring in-depth knowledge of specialized programs is provided by offices specializing in those fields, such as the graduate division, and by the chair and faculty of the department.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $71,200/year - $82,100/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: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004575 (STDT SVC ADVISOR 3) - Grade 19

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

35% - Graduate Student Advising and Counseling

• Applies professional student services concepts, provides the full range of student services to the Graduate student population served by the organization.
• Academic Advising: Advises faculty on departmental and university policies and compliance with graduate education standards; serves as the department's primary graduate student policy subject matter expert; serves on the department's Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC)
  Reviews students' progress and advises students and faculty on requirements for degree program completion; identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions.
• Leads new student programming and orientation; serves as a resource to graduate student leaders.

35% - Financial Management, Graduate Student Employment and Curriculum

Financial Management

• Oversees the administration, evaluation, and awarding of student fellowships, grants, scholarships, and other awards; advises students on fellowship opportunities.
• Manages equitable use of the EEB "block" fund, allocates spending on graduate admissions, summer support for continuing students, and manages internal EEB fellowship awards.

Curriculum and Graduate Student Employment

• Oversees the quarterly assignments of Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), and Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs).
• Coordinates student evaluations of teaching, including configuring evaluation surveys in the online campus platform, reviewing and retaining survey results, providing instructors and TAs with their evaluation reports, and reporting any problematic evaluation results to the Department Chair for review and action.
• Devises curriculum planning in collaboration with department partners and with other departments. Maintains internal database and server files. Provides reports and analysis as requested.

15% - Recruitment, Admissions and Outreach

• Plans and implements outreach programs; advises prospective applicants on the necessary academic preparation and the appropriateness of the program as it pertains to the prospective applicant's goals; utilizes in-depth knowledge of the organization's admissions criteria, helps rank applicants for admission; evaluates domestic and international transcripts for degree eligibility; initiates and arranges student recruitment visits.
• Trains undergraduate advising to provide information on the contiguous (4+1) Master's program. Reviews applicants with the graduate advisory committee and makes recommendations for admissions.

15% - Faculty, Academic and Administrative Support

• Provides backup to the administrative manager in their absence or during peak periods of the academic year, which includes, on occasion, processing non-senate academic personnel files. Works to ensure that communication flow in the department remains efficient and timely. Assists with resolving problems or enhancing administrative processes by recommending solutions and implementing necessary changes.
• Oversees the editing and updating of the department's information in various publications, including web presence and other graduate program publications.
• Works on special projects as directed by the administrative manager, graduate director, department chair, and other campus units.
• Performs other duties and projects at the same level of complexity, difficulty, and responsibility as assigned or self-initiated, expected to manage each project with little direction and rely on knowledge and independent judgment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Demonstrated experience working in higher education with student-facing advising and support experience.
• Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to interpret and assimilate a broad knowledge of UC and agency policies and procedures, with an ability to apply and communicate them to faculty, staff, and students.
• Problem-solving skills; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to understand, develop and present budgetary and financial information.
• Skills in judgment, decision making and discretion relative to sensitive or confidential matters.
• Solid writing and editing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of documents.
• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines to complete a high volume of work with frequent interruptions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in related area.
• Knowledge and experience working with historically underrepresented communities and first generation college students.
• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment.

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.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• 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.
• 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.

a. "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

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.