Economics Undergraduate Programs and Advising Director

The Economics Undergraduate Programs and Advising Director position modality is fundamentally in-person, on the main campus to successfully support and optimally engage with student constituents, supervised staff and colleagues. We anticipate a set one-day/week remote schedule to be feasible in most weeks after initial training.

Application Instructions
We are seeking and reviewing for human expertise. To ensure full consideration, applicants must include a cover letter, resume and a student engagement statement to supplement the standard UC Santa Cruz application, demonstrating their own writing and creative skills, and not their AI skills (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, etc). The student engagement statement should speak to advising strategies that promote student engagement and responsiveness for optimal advising and student outcomes. A reference list (of 3-4 referees) will be requested upon invitation to interview and required of all interview candidates.

Reference lists need to include supervisors and the following for each referee: their full name, title/organization, phone and email contact information and relation to you--i.e., current supervisor, former supervisor, current indirect supervisor, colleague, etc. We respect your confidentiality, and will NOT contact referees prior to informing the final candidate(s) of our plans to do so. We look forward to reviewing your application.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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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: 05-14-2026

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 Economics is an inclusive, ambitious, innovative and large department within the Social Sciences Division. The department offers several options for undergraduate study including multiple bachelor's degrees, combined majors with mathematics and environmental studies, one undergraduate minor and a concentration in addition to a Ph.D. program and professional master's degree program, and is home to approximately 1700 declared and prospective majors. Student advising is a critical function in our department and impacts the lives of our students. Our students come from a diverse background with many from international locations as well as from California and the greater U.S. Several of our students are recipients of awards from the department, division or campus in recognition of academic performance; and they frequently pursue graduate degrees and/or professional careers in the business, accounting, banking, policy, finance and applied economics in the private and governmental sectors. This creates an intellectually stimulating environment. Faculty, staff and students work well together.

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

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the department manager, the Economics Undergraduate Programs and Advising Director oversees the economics undergraduate programs and advising services and supervises the professional "student academic advisors" and student peer advisors for the Economics Department. The Undergraduate Programs and Advising Director oversees the department's multiple undergraduate degrees and concentrations, and student-involvement programs; directly supervises and coaches the undergraduate advising team; and ensures adequate on-campus weekday advising. Student academic advisors provide the full range of professional-level academic advising to students and service to the department. The incumbent participates with department management in the development and monitoring of policies and procedures for student academic advising; provides technical assistance to subordinates on complex issues such as exceptions to policy, recommendations to change department policy, and precedent-setting actions; works with other units to create and analyze reports to facilitate advising and student success; represents the student academic advising function on committees and other organization entities; and serves as the subject expert on academic advising, providing undergraduate academic advising service to students, prospective students and visitors. The primary work location will be on campus for optimal service to our students, with up to one (designated) day of remote work optional in most weeks.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $85,550 - $99,500 / Annually. 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: 004541 (STDT ADVISOR SUPV 2) - Grade 21

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

50% - Supervision

• Applying in depth knowledge of advising and undergraduate programs, the Economics Undergraduate Programs and Advising Director directs and supervises career staff Student Academic Advisors who are providing the full range of academic advising to department students and service to department chairs / deans and faculty:
  • Monitors and evaluates employee performance.
  • Mentors and monitors to ensure undergraduate programs are administered and advised effectively.
  • Provides training and development.
  • Recommends employee selection and corrective action, if necessary.

25% - Undergraduate Programs Management

• Responsible for administration of department's undergraduate major programs, minor program(s) and concentration, and for advising on combined programs involving our department, where the department of record is another department.
  • Current majors:
    • Business management economics B.A.
    • Economics B.A.
    • Global economics B.A.
    • Economics-mathematics (combined major) B.A.
  • Current Minor:
    • Economics Minor
  • Current Concentration:
    • Accounting
  • Current Combined Major managed by other Dept:
    • Environmental Studies-Economics B.A.
• Recommends petition exceptions that affect the requirements of multiple departments.
• Advises chairs / deans on the formulation of department policy by advising them on areas needing clarification and identifying solutions.
• Analyzes the consequences of continuing and new departmental / school / college academic policies and recommends new or changed policies and precedent-setting issues.
• Advises chair / dean on establishing or revising selection criteria and procedures for special eligibility programs and courses.
• Monitors and advises chairs and manager on major enrollment trends and curricular impact.
• Reviews curricular scheduling and advises chairs and manager on conflicts, course impaction and time to degree, and facilitates resolution through strategic planning and enrollment gating.
• Coordinates, reviews and advises department / college / school chair / dean and faculty on transferability and applicability of non-UC courses and / or courses of the organization within or outside of the department that may affect ongoing requirements.
• Based upon review of course evaluations and trends in the field, advises chair / dean and faculty on curriculum development and modification.
• Addresses unusual circumstances, complicated selection, and student appeals.
• Maintains the department's student academic advising budget for events and awards.
• Responsible for student award management: analyzing qualifications to identify and recommend student award recipients to program director/manager/chair, and coordinate award distribution and notification.
• Responsible for department's undergraduate external and internal communication management, including and not limited to web pages.

15% - Advising

• Provides academic advice to students on academic progression and requirements as needed.

10% - Student Supervising & Programs Management

• Directs and supervises student peer advising and teaching practicum programs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience / training
• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of common university-specific computer application programs.
• Skills in monitoring / assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.
• Sound project management, organizational and communication skills.
• Skills in social perceptiveness and cross-cultural competence.
• Abilities in problem identification, reasoning.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability in to lead, motivate and supervise a team and demonstrate leadership.
• Ability to work independently and as collaborative team member.
• Knowledge of university and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Sufficient math fluency to calculate fractions and percentages for employment and track budgets.
• Fluency in common office systems--Microsoft, Google, Adobe and Zoom--and one or more advising systems.
• Skills in running and conceptualizing or designing queries and reports, and using academic information systems, web management systems.
• Skills in judgment, ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency with campus enterprise advising systems: AIS, Navigate/Slug Success, InfoView

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check and a pre-hire credentialing 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 occasionally work overtime with little or no advance notice.
• 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.
• 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.

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

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.