Physics Undergraduate Advisor

NOTIFICATIONS

The Physics Undergraduate Advisor position modality is fundamentally on-campus (not remote). We anticipate a regular one (1) day per week remote work being feasible for most weeks after successfully completing training.

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: 09-04-2025

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 Physics Department is a dynamic group comprised of instructional and research units and a variety of support programs and facilities. The Department consists of 24 permanent faculty and a number of adjunct faculty who teach and do research, 450 undergraduate physics majors, and 71 graduate students working towards Ph.D. and Masters degrees. The department offers outstanding research programs in theoretical and experimental particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, condensed matter physics, biophysics, and materials physics (including organic photovoltaics). The recent NRC rankings of physics departments ranked UCSC among the top Physics Departments in the U.S and in an analysis of research publications from top U.S. universities, the Physics Department ranked first for the impact of its faculty in the field of physics and fifth in the field of space sciences. The department is also closely aligned with researchers and faculty in the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) and the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The Physics Department staff is committed to providing excellent service to students, faculty, and researchers.

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

JOB SUMMARY

The Undergraduate Advisor for Physics is responsible for undergraduate outreach, orientation, and academic advising for the Physics Department in the Physical and Biological Sciences Division. Undergraduate degrees administered by this department include:

Applied Physics B.S.
Physics B.S.
Physics (Astrophysics) B.S.
Science Education B.S.
Physics Minor
Contiguous Bachelor's/Master's Pathway

The responsibilities of the Undergraduate Advisor include helping students define and develop a realistic academic plan and class schedule to ensure adequate progress towards degree objectives (including revisions throughout a student's career), monitoring student progress through grades and other performance indicators, assisting with enrollment issues, advertising and discussing scholarship and research opportunities with qualified students, and providing support for students who need academic support or connections with other student support services.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $31.13/hourly - $34.00/hourly. 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, Grade 18

Job Code Classification: 004544 (STDT ACAD ADVISOR 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

75% - STUDENT ADVISING

• Monitors and evaluates students' completion of academic requirements.
• Applies professional concepts to independently provide prescriptive advice and assistance to students on academic and degree progress and major requirements for the department.
• Assists students in determining a major, alternative academic options, scheduling conflicts, and similar issues.
• Identifies student needs for programs and services.
• Refers students to non-academic resources as appropriate.
• Applies articulated courses to degree requirements and certifies degree completion.
• Advises on moderately complex issues such as multiple degrees or withdrawal from the University.
• Communicates and exchanges information with other units of the organization and makes referrals to help students with their academic program (e.g., health service, disabled students program, college advisors, transfer center, other academic departments, career center, EOP, etc.).
• Provides information to students on programs with special, clearly articulated eligibility requirements such as honors programs, awards, fellowships, scholarships, and advanced level courses.

10% - PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

• Advises department on scheduling needs for student course progression and requirements completion.
• Tracks enrollments and monitors course waitlists to ensure enrollment of our majors in courses they need to stay on track to complete their degree.
• Develops, publishes, and maintains program information online, in publications and newsletters or other means of regular communication with students with interest in degree programs in department.
• Collaborates with and makes valuable contributions to the Physical and Biological Sciences Advising Team (other undergraduate advisors, department managers and divisional analyst) to coordinate class offerings, plan for key events and deadlines, and develop and share best practices.
• Provides assistance and training to faculty advisers (helping them to understand and interpret policy and procedures related to undergraduate academic degree progress and completion.

10% - STUDENT SUPERVISION

• Recruit, interview, train, and supervise student peer advisor(s).
• Regularly check in 1:1 with the peer advisor(s).

5% - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

• Maintains detailed and precise records.
• Develops, coordinates, and supports all aspects of department-sponsored undergraduate program-related events.
• Represents department on standing and ad-hoc campus and divisional committees.
• Maintains cross-training relationships with other advisors in the Physical and Biological Sciences.
• Periodically fills in for other advisors when needed and provides training to new advising staff in the departments in the Physical and Biological Sciences.
• Prepares and maintains training materials, job documentation, and departmental best practices in advising.
• Works on special projects, as assigned.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Basic knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with students, faculty, staff and parents, all with various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to make presentations to small and large audiences.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion when handling confidential situations or materials.
• Demonstrated research, statistical, and analytical skills with ability to recall, retrieve, and communicate detailed information quickly, accurately, and clearly both verbally and in writing, including preparation of concise written summaries.
• Strong problem-solving skills to effectively solve multi-faceted problems within an administrative context.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills sufficient to independently set priorities and maintain a professional manner within a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively under the pressure of specific timelines and deadlines.
• Demonstrated flexibility, initiative, productivity, and efficiency.
• Computer skills sufficient for preparation and management of a large volume of email, shared documents, databases, spreadsheets, and presentations using standard office programs (MS Office Suite, Google Suite, etc.) and ability to learn new systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of barriers to student success and intervention techniques to help students overcome difficulties.
• Knowledge of departmental courses (including prerequisites, corequisites and enrollment limitations), curricular offerings, and majors.

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.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., 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 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.

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.