Undergraduate Advisor - Geography

Position Number: 40075054

Payroll Title: STDT ACAD ADVISOR 2 SV (005140)

Job Code: 005140

Job Open Date: 04/14/2026

Application Review Begins: 04/29/2026

Department Code (Name): GEOG (GEOGRAPHY DEPT)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): SV-Student Services and Advising Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $25.77 to $32.00/hour. 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 $25.77 to $43.58/hour.

Work Location: Ellison Hall - 1834

Working Days and Hours: M-F 8am to 5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid work arrangement is an option following initial training period.

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:
The Department of Geography's vision is to lead the integration of natural, social, and information sciences to solve problems of people and the environment. Two key terms in the vision that separates geography from most other fields is that, first, we take integration across knowledge domains as the central goal and, second, we use that to leverage better insights on problems that span the natural and social realms. Faculty in geography do not necessarily hold degrees in geography (only a handful do), but they all are characterized by having a particular domain expertise while also being committed to working across domains especially on problems where there are both natural and social aspects interacting. Reflecting that framing, our faculty are classified by domain/research area expertise and participation in cross-cutting themes. Domains define broad areas of science where we have sufficient faculty expertise to provide graduate level education.

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. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:
This position is responsible for providing comprehensive academic advising to prospective, new and continuing Geography majors on all facets of four degree programs (BA, BA w/GIS, BS in Physical Geography, and BS with Ocean Science). Provides academic advice and assistance on topics such as: academic planning, course requirements, grades, units, transfer work, academic difficulties, student distress, leaves, petition processing, financial assistance, housing, and degree progress checks. Maintains knowledge of and interprets campus policies and procedures for students, faculty, and staff. Coordinates application and evaluation process for students requesting to participate in independent research projects and department honors courses. Conducts year-round orientations for prospective and new students. Coordinates year-round recruitment and outreach efforts. Assists with the development and implementation strategies to increase enrollment of applicants accepted into Geography programs. Manages an internship and career resources program. Conducts program and statistical research and data analysis. Assists in the annual development and preparation of the Geography curriculum plan. Creates and maintains all undergraduate publications and written correspondence such as brochures, recruitment and orientation materials, major information handouts, faculty profiles, website content, surveys, etc. Manages all aspects of course scheduling. Coordinates quarterly faculty and TA evaluations, textbook ordering, faculty and TA office hours, IRAL reports, and e-grading. Assists with departmental events as necessary. Serves as back-up advisor for graduate program. Maintains the department library check-in/check-out system. Coordinates various award programs within the department, including the Dangermond Travel Fellowship Program as well as departmental awards for undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/ training
• 1-3 years administrative experience
• 1-3 years advising/counseling experience
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in the course of performing the position's duties, while maintaining a high degree of sensitivity and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years working in an academic environment
• Knowledge of departmental / school / college courses and majors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including active listening.
• Possess strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Skills in problem identification, reasoning, judgment, decision-making, and ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to multi-task, handle frequent interruptions, and carry out responsibilities with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of department / school / college policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Ability to work well independently as well as part of a team including the ability to work successfully in a collaborative manner with a diverse client group that includes underrepresented populations and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency using standard office and educational applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Access) or equivalent software, the internet, email messaging, and web-based software applications and experience using on-line student information systems.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• Student Advising (45%) - Provides academic advising and administration for four distinct degree programs: the BA, the BA w/GIS, BS in Physical Geography, and BS with Ocean Science. Independently advises new and continuing geography majors on major options and requirements, choice of majors within the department, academic planning, course requirements, grades, units, transfer work, schedule adjustments, petitions, academic problems, leaves, internships and research opportunities, graduate and professional school planning, financial assistance, housing, and career information/placement. Meets with students individually and in groups. Offers assistance and alternatives to various problems. Creates a climate which enhances the student's academic environment and which academic and personal problems may be freely discussed. Adapts and applies student development and cross-cultural advising/counseling models to aid students with adjusting to the university, interacting with peers, staff, and faculty, managing academic issues, and identifying sources of support. Promotes development of student decision-making skills and reinforces student self-direction. Consults with students with urgent issues or in crisis, including students in personal and/or emotional distress. Works toward stabilizing them and provides support by the following: clarify the problem, explain relevant policies and deadlines, problem solve, anticipate obstacles and direct students to appropriate services and agencies. Supervises students who have fallen into academic difficulty, suggesting corrective action. Helps students set corrective academic goals that are specific, measurable, and realistic. Assists students in identifying potential sources of support on campus such as Counseling and Career Services, Disabled Students Program, Student Health Service etc. Acts as liaison with L&S Advising and students on probation and academic contracts and advises students regarding policies and procedures. Explains conditions and stipulations of academic status including departmental and university regulations. Provides academic progress checks for each student as needed. Evaluates and approves change of major petitions. De-majors students as necessary, provides assistance and guidance regarding appeal process and finding new majors. Evaluates and determines course equivalencies for transfer students including collecting data from campuses with articulation agreements with UCSB; coordinates review of course materials (syllabus, textbooks, course descriptions, etc.) to determine if coursework is transferable; informs Faculty UG Advisor, staff and students regarding articulation agreements; makes recommendations on what courses should be approved for articulation agreements. As UG Advisor, represents Geography department at various year-round orientation meetings on campus for incoming freshman, transfer students, and their parents. Develops materials for orientation programs, meets with students and gives presentations to large groups; provides advising to incoming students to assist them with making decisions regarding their major. Coordinates and participates in New Major meetings and special Advising Day activities. Works closely with Geography Faculty Advisors and provides backup during faculty advising hours. Creates the Geography Program's electronic listserv, used to distribute information about deadlines, major, current events, job opportunities, etc. Coordinates application and evaluation process for students requesting to participate in independent research projects (GEOG 193, 195, 198, 199, and 199RA) and department honors courses (GEOG 20H). Meet with students to review application and provide advising regarding ability to participate in programs. Assists students with identifying appropriate faculty to work with; ensures application is filled out correctly. Provides faculty member with information including GPA and completed courses on student applicants; contacts students with questions or if additional information is needed. Provides recommendation of petition approvals/denials to the Faculty Advisor ensuring information is appropriate and student is eligible. Maintains knowledge of campus policies and procedures; interprets policies and procedures for students, faculty, and staff. Act as liaison to a variety of on-campus and off-campus departments and agencies (e.g. the College of Letters and Science, Registrar's Office, Orientation Programs, etc.) regarding all undergraduate matters. Provides assistance with registration controls through campus computer STAR system. Provides back-up Graduate Program advising and administration in the absence of the Student Programs Manager.
• Student Program Administration (30%): STATISTICAL/DATA ANALYSIS: Assists the Business Officer with statistical data reporting by gathering and analyzing statistical data (e.g., attrition rates, quantitative and qualitative statistical comparisons), preparing draft reports and drafting responses to internal and external surveys regarding student performance, recruitment, support, training, and placement. Assists in conducting analytical surveys to gather alumni feedback regarding academic outcomes and career placement of Geography graduates to determine strength of current Geography curriculum and potential new academic enhancements. ACADEMIC PROGRAM: Actively participates on the Undergraduate Committee, often by leading and advising the faculty on discussions of undergraduate program matters. Responsible to manage all aspects of class scheduling, astra schedule room requests, coordination of department space, and campus resources with programmatic needs, enrollment projections, student and faculty needs, and course conflicts. Takes initiative to reconcile problems arising from faculty, teaching constraints, room availability, and student demands. Implements and publicizes schedule changes, as necessary. CURRICULUM PLANNING: Works collaboratively with the Business Officer to develop and prepare Geography curriculum plan for each academic year (using a three-year planning window). Reviews and analyzes requests for change from Faculty, researches feasibility of proposals, and makes recommendations for programmatic changes to undergraduate program. Implements approved changes. Provides input to chair and faculty, advising on curriculum and policy matters related to course development and undergraduate program. Reviews and updates the undergraduate sections of the General Catalog, CourseDog, major requirements, and Articulation Agreements with community colleges. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: Manages an internship and placement program (GEOG 193). Independently researches internship opportunities and monitors internship sites. Assists in developing new internships by actively seeking out opportunities in the community, and maintaining existing ones. Assists students annually in getting local, statewide, and national internships. Reviews and evaluates policies and procedures for the program. Oversees student enrollment, assignments, and awarding of academic credit. Advertises and reviews applications for internship positions and visits sites as necessary. Offers mid-quarter internship evaluation meetings with enrolled students. CAREER RESOURCES: Provides career and graduate school information. Assists students in clarifying career and academic goals for themselves and helps them to develop appropriate education plans. Gives guidance regarding acquiring internships and letters of recommendations and clarifies the graduate school application process. Maintains a career resource website and provides career workshops covering topics such as writing a cover letter and resume and how to properly network with professionals. Develops and maintains contacts with industry to promote employment and internship opportunities for Geography majors. Coordinates campus interview programs with participating companies. Serve as primary department contact for external recruiting agencies and affiliated institutions. RECRUITMENT/OUTREACH: Develops and implements student recruitment/outreach programs. Provides Geography academic program and services information to students, the campus, and the general public through regular and one-time events. Efforts include participating in community events such as Earth Day, career fairs, Open House, and UCSB outreach and recruiting efforts. Acts as a staff advisor for the Geography Club. Mentors club members and encourages their participation in outreach events. Builds a strong community of interest with students and encourages continuation and new enrollment in Geography major. Assists with the development and implementation strategies to increase enrollment of applicants accepted into Geography programs. PUBLICATIONS/WEB: Independently creates and maintains all undergraduate publications and written correspondence (i.e. brochures, recruitment and orientation materials, major information handouts, faculty profiles, website content, surveys, etc.).
• General Administration (25%) - Maintains current and inactive undergraduate records and ensures confidentiality in use of students' files and electronic records by faculty and staff. Organizes, distributes and maintains electronic tracking of quarterly office hours for faculty and Teaching Assistants (TAs). Coordinates and oversees the timely submission process of quarterly electronic grading. Coordinates and distributes quarterly final exam schedule. Coordinates proctoring of exams with DSP and faculty. Sends reminders to graduate students and notifications to faculty. Coordinates the scheduling and insurance paperwork (liability waivers) for course field trips. Maintains inventory of equipment for instruction and coordinates check-in/check-out process. Orders one-time-room requests for special events, mid-term reviews, final reviews as needed by instructors. Quarterly textbook coordinator: works closely with faculty, grad students, UCSB bookstore, and publishers to place all textbook orders. Acts as department liaison with publisher and representatives as necessary to obtain examination and desk copies for faculty and TA's. Coordinates quarterly course and teaching evaluations for faculty and teaching assistants. Completes IRAL (Instructional Resources Audit List Report) each quarter. Coordinates the Dangermond Travel Fellowship Program, including disseminating quarterly calls, preparing payout forms, and coordinating thank you notes to donors. Assists with the coordination of the year end departmental awards ceremony, including awards and certificates for graduating seniors. Leads the coordination of the departmental commencement reception for graduating seniors. Maintains the department library check-in/check-out system.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy 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 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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