SSHA Graduate Services Coordinator (Hybrid)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $53,500- $92,100. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $60,000- $70,000.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around November 20th, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This position is hybrid.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The SSHA Graduate Services Coordinator provides critical support for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) seven graduate programs; Cognitive and Information Sciences (CIS), Economics (ECON), Interdisciplinary Humanities (IH), Political Science (POLS), Psychological Sciences (PSYS), Public Health (PHE) and Sociology (SOCI). Using skills as a seasoned, experienced Student Services professional, the graduate services coordinator provides the full range of student services to students while simultaneously supporting graduate faculty in the growth and development of current and new graduate programs at UC Merced. The range of activities includes, but is not limited to graduate student funding, graduate student advising, graduate program academic support, university-wide collaboration, and graduate student admissions. The Graduate Services Coordinator collaborates with the Lead Graduate Services Coordinator, the Assistant Dean for Student & Instructional Services, the Associate Dean for Student Services & Academics, Graduate Group Chairs, Graduate Division, faculty, and other campus staff to recommend and facilitate changes to policies, practices, and procedures. Independently advises students in all SSHA graduate programs and resolves academic/student services-related issues inherent within the School and University. Advises faculty and leadership on a variety of student issues. Provides guidance on issues requiring in-depth knowledge of programs including but not limited to the financial aid office, academic personnel office, graduate division, international affairs, orientation, students first center, program/school academic affairs, and payroll services. May supervise student employees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Graduate Student Funding: Oversees the administration and processing of academic student employee and graduate student researcher appointments, fellowships, and other awards; advises students and faculty on employment and funding options on campus and extramural fellowship opportunities. Oversees Academic Student Employee (ASE) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) appointments, assignments, and exceptions, in collaboration with faculty and other support staff. Coordinates with the campus Academic Personnel Office, Payroll Office, and Graduate Division to ensure all campus and union hiring requirements and regulations are satisfied. Coordinates funding assignments and fellowships in systems including but not limited to: Graduate Lecturer Academic Appointment System (GLAAS), GRIP, SLATE, OnBase, and other campus/school systems. Provides feedback to Lead Graduate Services Coordinator for process and system improvements for graduate student employment and funding. Oversees the administration, evaluation, and awarding of student fellowships, grants, scholarships, and other awards; advises Graduate Group Chairs and students on financial aid options of the organization and extra-mural fellowship opportunities.
• Graduate Student Advising: Provides and makes recommendations for improvement of assigned programs. Advises faculty on graduate group, School, and university policies and procedures; reviews students' progress and advises students and faculty on requirements for degree/program completion; advises students on alternative academic options. Identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions. Uses systems including but not limited to BANNER, BLINK, Cognos, MyDegreePath, GRIP, and OnBase. Responsible for interpreting campus policies and advising students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, and issues regarding discrimination. Makes recommendations to leadership, faculty, and students with regard to conflict resolution and issues in coordination with the Office of Title IX/EEO/AA, Office of Ombuds Services, and Graduate Division.
• Graduate Student Admissions: Advises prospective applicants on necessary academic preparation; appropriateness of program as it pertains to the prospective applicant's goals; utilizing in-depth knowledge of the organization's admissions criteria; identifies students who need a Microteaching Language Evaluation; in collaboration with faculty, facilitate student recruitment visits.Plan, implement and serve as SSHA representative for student events included but not limited to: Graduate Orientation Week (GROW), Graduate Visitation Weekend (GVW), Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW), and program-specific activities. Plans, designs, and provides workshops for students, such as information about the organization, funding, and/or academic strategies and enrichment programs. Attends recruitment events and conferences.
• Graduate Program Academic Support: MyDegreePath and audit updating for degree programs, monitoring individual graduate student progress in degree, facilitate registration for independent study courses, send out reminders and notifications to graduate students and participating faculty, and provide data to Graduate Group Chairs as requested.
• University-Wide Collaboration: School and campuswide standing meetings, collaboration across offices and teams.
• Other Duties Outside of Scope of Primary Functions: collaborate with SSHA Space Coordinator to ensure graduate student workspace assignments, key distributions and mailbox assignments at the start of each semester are completed, manage program listservs, manage general SSHA Graduate Services website and email account, etc.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in related area and three years of progressively responsible related experience or seven years of equivalent experience/training. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, reason, and development of original ideas to solve problems.
• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences. (Preferred)
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, students, university staff and the general public.
• Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.

Background check will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.