Graduate Studies advocates on behalf of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, facilitates the schools, colleges, and programs engaged in delivering graduate education, and administers academic and administrative policies affecting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in ways that foster a culturally and intellectually diverse environment characterized by rigorous academic standards. Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes approximately 100 dynamic graduate degree programs, and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world.

The Advising Services unit in the Graduate Studies division is a multi-campus service unit which is directly engaged with graduate program staff, and students on a constant basis and serves as the primary point of contact for these groups on issues related to graduate education. Graduate programs across campus report up to Graduate Studies via the Academic Services unit for the matriculation, and graduation of graduate students here at UC Davis. This position serves as the authoritative resource for graduate programs assigned to them and is responsible for reviewing all processes, requests, and decisions made by those programs. This position also represents the campus and Graduate Studies on campus-wide committees and works with other campus administrative units and academic departments to ensure they are aware of policies, procedures, and actions related to graduate education. This position is responsible for the enforcement of Graduate Studies policies and standards on behalf of the university and reviews and recommends changes to the executive leadership as appropriate.

Under general direction from the Director of Advising for the Academic Services unit within Graduate Studies, this position independently manages approximately one third of the academic graduate programs on campus with responsibilities which include administering policies and processes and formulating strategies to address workload priorities with a high degree of autonomy. In addition, this position acts as liaison between Graduate Studies and the academic graduate programs and student services offices campus-wide.

Provides expertise on matters of graduate education and advising to faculty, students, and staff, including analysis, interpretation, and administration of Graduate Studies regulations, policies, and operations. Consults on, interprets, and applies complex Academic Senate, Graduate Council and Graduate Studies academic and administrative regulations and policies associated with graduate education and advising. Participates in the planning, development, and implementation of new and revised Graduate Studies policies and procedures and advises the Dean/Vice Provost and Associate Deans regarding potential policy/process improvements.

Provides in-depth, wide-ranging and complex academic advising. Counsels current graduate students on a wide range of often complex issues. Monitors graduate student progress and retention from matriculation through degree conferral. Collaborates with other campus units, providing detailed insight on issues related to graduate students and applicants.

Develops, analyzes and interprets retention, attrition and degree completion statistics; creates various reports regarding new and continuing graduate student matters for the deans and the campus community.

Position Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

·       Mental Demands: Analytical and Problem Solving - Constantly, Confidentiality - Constantly, Constant Interruptions - Constantly, Customer Contact - Constantly, Detailed Work - Constantly, Language - Constantly, Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Constantly, Reading (documents or instruments) - Constantly, Reasoning - Constantly, Training - Frequently, Verbal Communication - Constantly, Written Communication - Constantly

·       Physical Demands: Attendance - Constantly, Sitting - Constantly, Speaking - Constantly, Walking - Frequently, Writing - Constantly, Talk or Hear - Constantly

·       Lifting Requirements: Up to 25 Pounds (Light) - Occasionally

·       Visual Acuity Requirements: Close Visual Acuity (e.g., viewing a computer screen; using measurement devices) - Constantly, Color Visual Acuity - Constantly, Peripheral Visual Acuity - Constantly, Depth Perception - Constantly

·       Noise Conditions: Quiet Noise Conditions - Constantly, Very Quiet Conditions - Occasionally, Moderate Noise Conditions - Constantly, Loud Noise Conditions – Occasionally

·       Equipment Used to Perform the Duties: Calculator - Occasionally, Computer and Peripheral Equipment - Constantly, Copier - Constantly, Fax - Constantly, Scanner - Constantly, Telephone - Constantly

WORK ENVIRONMENT

·       Work an occasional flexible schedule including evenings, nights, and weekends.

·       Restricted vacation during peak periods.

·       Possible nationwide travel.

·       May be required to work in a busy, open and/or shared office environment with multiple and constant interruptions, traffic, and noise from computers, printers, ringing telephones, and conversations.

·       The Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment policy is intended to provide a healthier, safer, and more productive work and learning environment for the entire UC community. The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University owned or leased properties, or facilities operated by UC staff or faculty. Smoking and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, parking lots, residential space, and University vehicles. https://ucdavispolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/271

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education/Experience:

·       Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience and training.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

·       Awareness, knowledge, and skill in applying diversity, equity and inclusion to one’s work. A profound belief in the value of a diverse and safe workforce and a commitment to achieve this goal through collaboration and team building, working cooperatively with a diverse group of department and campus constituencies.

·       Skills to handle sensitive situations with individuals on campus and off-campus, including persons of varying ages, academic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, faculty, students, special interest groups, alumni, and administrators using federal and state FERPA and Information Privacy Act regulations.

·       Analytical skills to interpret complex policies that apply to graduate students, create summary reports, and track student progress and enrollment trends, skills to read and interpret graduate student statistics and academic records.

·       Skills to deal effectively with ambiguous situations, conceive, and present alternative solutions on a variety of advising related issues with a high degree of autonomy to plan, develop, manage, and implement procedural and technological change. Skills to extract from complex situations those elements of greatest relevance, present that information succinctly and to make appropriate, insightful decisions and recommendations.

·       Oral and written communication skills to effectively advise students, faculty, staff, and public on policies, procedures, and requirements established by Graduate Studies through writing, editing and proofreading skills to independently prepare clear, accurate correspondence and reports to the University and various campus administrative offices.

·       Flexibility to contribute as part of a team and expand position responsibilities in the face of changing priorities in a complex and diverse environment using organizational skills to initiate necessary actions, coordinate multiple work priorities with deadlines concurrently.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education/Experience:   

·       Master’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience and training.

·       Advanced knowledge of and experience in counseling and guidance techniques.

·       Experience with Banner, student databases, Box, Smartsheet.

·       Skills to teach and explain tasks clearly and concisely, give clear instructions and evaluate work done by someone else. Experience developing and giving presentations to large and small groups.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

·       Thorough knowledge of Graduate Studies, Graduate Council, and University college/school policies, procedures, and requirements, knowledge of multiple majors, degrees, colleges, and schools.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain - we improve.

We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds, and you belong here.

As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence.  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 nondiscrimination policy.