Senior Undergraduate Advisor - Biology

Position Number: 40077684

Payroll Title: Student Academic Advisor 3

Job Code: 004545

Job Open Date: 4/24/25

Application Review Begins: 5/9/25; open until filled

Department Code (Name): EEMB (ECOLOGICAL BIOLOGY)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 19

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $58,600 to $85,000/year. 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 $58,600.00 to $100,800.00/year.

Work Location: Life Sciences room 3318

Working Days and Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-5:00pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Special Instructions:

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

Department Marketing Statement:

In the Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Marine Biology we study how living organisms interact with their environments and with each other, shaping and being shaped by the world around them. Our research interests span biological scales from the physiology and morphology of the individual, to the behavior of groups, to the functioning of ecosystems. We examine how organisms function in their present environments, how they have been shaped by their evolutionary past, and how they may adapt to a changing world. By addressing basic scientific questions, we lay the foundational knowledge for addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental issues. We're fortunate to be based directly on the California coast, allowing us to conduct research and teach in a myriad of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments including the oceanic and coastal Pacific, estuarine, subtidal and intertidal marine coastal ecosystems, and mountain, chaparral, oak woodland, desert, island, and coastal terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

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:

The Senior Undergraduate Advisor is one of two senior advisors in the biological sciences. Together the senior advisors manage all aspects of the undergraduate programs for two fully independent departments: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) and Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology (EEMB). There are approximately 3,500 undergraduate students in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 16 distinct and complex majors and pre-majors. These include Pre-Biological Sciences B.A., Biological Sciences B.A., Biological Sciences B.S. Aquatic Biology B.S., Ecology and Evolution B.S., Physiology B.S., Zoology B.S., Biochemistry-Molecular Biology B.S., Cell and Developmental Biology B.S., Microbiology B.S., and Pharmacology B.S. The MCB major and it's 4 emphases. Requires substantive knowledge of University, College, and EEMB/MCDB departmental policies and procedures regarding undergraduate student affairs, and the ability to interpret information from various academic and administrative offices. Provides academic advising to students, parents, faculty, and staff as it relates to admissions, orientation programs, outreach, and other curricular matters. Develops suitable educational and professional plans for students and directly advises them in the selection of appropriate majors, and on and off campus internships designed to help identify and achieve their life and career goals. Supervises students in academic difficulty and develops appropriate action plans. Authoritatively restricts and blocks students from taking further biology courses and de-majors students from continuing to pursue majors within EEMB/MCDB. Manages the departmental Honors Program and monitors independent research projects. Advises students interested in multiple health professions; undeclared students, transfer students, and students in other science disciplines; counsels majors and non-majors regarding UC and non-UC Education Abroad Programs, local and off campus internships, research opportunities, and other experiential opportunities to help students define and prepare for post-graduation. Formulates and initiates policies within the undergraduate program. Analyzes and acts independently on petitions for exceptions to policy. Advises the College on changes and additions to courses and academic requirements for majors. Assembles the quarterly Schedule of Classes and two Summer Sessions. Supervises and administers the Academic Peer Advising Office. Participates in a variety of outreach efforts. Independently evaluates pre-admission major applications and a multitude of change of major petitions. Determines transfer articulations and makes major course recommendations. Tracks student progress from admission to graduation. Proposes updates, reviews and maintains major sheets and general information. Organizes and oversees the department's Senior Honors Ceremony. Conducts instructional program information sessions with groups associated with Orientation, Admissions, Gaucho Tours, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Education Abroad Program (EAP), and other student organizations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• 4 years of experience in a higher education administration, student services, or academic role.
• 1-3 years of experience in academic advising in higher education program/college/or school.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess the ability to maintain strict confidentiality with a high degree of sensitivity and professionalism.
• Strong abilities in judgment, decision-making, problem-solving, and project management.
• Strong abilities in reasoning, problem identification, and development of creative solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively as a positive member of a multifaceted team.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with peers, faculty, students, and administration.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Substantive knowledge of (and ability to interpret) UC policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and complete work with frequent interruptions.
• Well versed in undergraduate issues.
• Strong computer skills, and ability to use various programs (Email, Excel, Word) to complete required tasks.
• Good sense of humor.

Special Conditions of Employment:

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

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 allegation 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 40% Pre-Adm/Adm, General, & Graduation Advising -
  • General Advising: Evaluates, processes, and approves or denies change of major petitions to enter any of the 16 distinct majors. Reviews each students' progress, advises on schedule planning, clarifies their academic and career goals and suggests appropriate courses and development of suitable educational and experiential plans. Reviews student's record for transfer work for major requirements, routes copies of petitions to Letters and Science, Registrar's Office and other departments as appropriate. Assists ineligible applicants, helps them to define, and if necessary, reexamine their academic and career objectives. Conducts interviews with transfer students, determines acceptability of courses completed elsewhere for substitution in meeting major requirements and assists the students in academic planning and preparation for entrance into any of the majors in biological sciences. Coordinates and participates in general information meetings for all new students with an interest in biological sciences.
  • Academic Counseling/Advising/Career and Graduate Schools: Provides individual academic counseling/advising in regards to 16 distinct majors' requirements, academic planning, course requirements, academic difficulties, transfer work, internship placement and graduation. Evaluates students' major progress, guiding them in setting appropriate schedules. Identifies students' academic problems and suggests appropriate courses of action and/or educational resources available to them. Meets with new freshmen and parents during Freshmen Orientation and one on one throughout the year providing academic information into the biological sciences. Advises students interested in Education Abroad and independently approves for recommendation EAP programs. Provides career and graduate school information. Acts as a liaison with the EEMB Graduate Advisor. Answers questions regarding counseling programs, social work and licensing schools, as well as academic, professional and teaching credentialing programs. Gives guidance regarding acquiring internships. Writes letters of recommendation. Directs students to available resources including individual faculty members, Career Services, and Graduate Division.
  • Academic Probation, Restriction, and Dismissal: Analyzes student progress and tracks students in academic difficulty, assists them with their academic and professional goals, identifies strengths and weaknesses in areas related to their major, and counsels them in developing an appropriate academic plan. Independently develops formal contracts with students who show continuing difficulty, counsels/advises them on setting realistic goals, and monitors progress. Reviews the progress of students on contract and appraises the Directors of Undergraduate Studies in both departments of cases where dismissal from the major is justified. Authoritatively restricts and blocks students from taking further biology courses.
  • Graduation Matters: Conducts degree evaluations for all departmental majors. Exercises judgment with respect to general guidelines and goals established by the department and evaluates and authoritatively signs petitions on behalf of the Chair regarding graduation matters, substitutions, waivers, and independent studies. Serves as the resource to the College of Letters and Science and the Registrar's Office for official undergraduate evaluations. Also, incumbent assists students in MCDB in the absence of the MCDB Undergraduate advisor.
  • Advising Faculty and other Instructors: Advises new and continuing faculty instructors, as well as lecturers and Teaching Assistants on departmental/college as well as university policies and procedures. Advises new and continuing instructors on student advising issues; provides resources and information to instructors for student assistance; takes referrals from instructors for advising a student in crisis or with other academic issues. Assists instructors on determining course scheduling needs for student progress to degree.
  • Advising Distressed Students: Consults with students facing urgent issues or crises, including students in personal and/or emotional distress. Works toward stabilizing distressed students and provides support by: clarifying the problem, explaining relevant policies and deadlines, problem solving, anticipating obstacles, and directing students to appropriate services, agencies, and departments on campus.

• 25% Career Advising -
  • Develops, in collaboration with the Chair and Undergraduate Curriculum committee in EEMB, materials to deliver career advising for EEMB majors. Develops and maintains a resource list of career options and assist with departmental advertising of research opportunities in EEMB. Assists faculty with interaction with two centers in campus, ONDAS and the Transfer Student Center in order to interact with under-represented students and first-generations students, increasing their awareness of career options for undergraduates with degrees from EEMB. Identifies problem areas, interprets and creates policies, and initiates new programs to ensure that the undergraduate program meets the needs of the students while maintaining the goals and standards set by the department and the College. Analyzes the major requirements, strongly recommends and initiates changes and reports to the departmental Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Major Oversight Advisors regarding programmatic problems and the effect of curriculum changes on undergraduate programs. Prepares quarterly reports for the Curriculum Committee and the Major Oversight Advisors regarding enrollments. Notifies the appropriate departmental and college offices of any changes proposed as a result of the annual review to insure this information is included in the published requirement sheets and the UCSB General Catalog.

• 10% Liaison Duties -
  • Serves as a liaison between Letters and Science, College of Creative Studies, the Office of the Registrar, Education Abroad, Admissions, Dean of Students, Counseling and Career Services, Extension, Orientation, Summer Sessions, and other campus offices and academic departments on all matters of undergraduate affairs. Communicates with University administrators and other departments regarding changes in the undergraduate majors. Advises students and faculty of policies and consequences of their actions regarding inappropriate behaviors, informs them of their rights, and possible avenues of recourse/referral.

• 20% Program Administration -
  • Outreach: Participates in a variety of annual campus outreach efforts - Alumni Day, Spring Insight, Orientation, Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP), EAP, Summer Sessions and others. Responds on behalf of the department to all inquiries about the Department, College or University transfers, class schedules, catalogs, curriculum and major program requirements and makes this information available to the Office of Admissions, the Office of Relations with Schools; the Information Center, to counselors from junior colleges and high schools, and to others as required. Advises prospective students, in writing or in special group meetings of the programs available in the department, other relevant campus programs, and career opportunities in the field of biological science. Annually reviews and updates articulation agreements between the University and the California Community Colleges, in conjunction with the Office of Relations with Schools and the College of Letters and Sciences, notes proposed and effected curricula changes and their effect on major requirements and student progress towards established degrees. Annually reviews, updates, and maintains accurate general information sheets for each of the majors and distributes them to the Office of Admissions, the Office of Relations with Schools, the General Information Center, to counselors from junior colleges and high schools and to others as requested.
  • Peer Advising: Supervises the EEMB/MCDB Peer Advising Office. Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, evaluates, and mentors the performance of biology undergraduates as peer advisors as they provide major, graduate and career planning information.
  • Honor's Program: Manages the Senior Honors Program, screens applicants for eligibility, monitoring progress, solicits faculty recommendations, and informs the campus offices of successful participants. Administers departmental registration of undergraduates in the Special/Tutorial courses, reviews the records of students applying for eligibility and adequacy of preparation, records the number of units towards honors, maintains the historical record of approved project outlines. This is done for each student under each faculty member. Coordinates several departmental scholarships, identifies potential candidates, solicits applications or nominations, and assists faculty review committees.
  • Student Resources and Files: Serves as the departmental student records coordinator, attends required annual meetings and workshops with the Student Information Systems Office and keeps the department informed about rules and regulations regarding student records and issues of confidentiality. Maintains filing system of undergraduate student records, including active files of approximately 3500 major students as well as several thousand inactive files of previous undergraduate students. Maintains confidentiality in the utilization of student files by faculty and staff.
  • Scheduling/Master Course Approval: Prepares the quarterly Schedule of Classes and ensures its accuracy. Reconciles issues arising from faculty and graduate student constraints, room availability and teaching conflicts. Prepares schedule adjustments and publicizes changes to the schedule. Serves as the contact person to faculty regarding course administration. Prepares, modifies, updates, discontinues, and creates courses via the on-line Master Course Approval System.
  • Grades Processing: Coordinator for E grades.

• 5% Miscellaneous Responsibilities -
  • Is responsible for the development/maintenance of the departmental class waiting lists
  • Serves as the backup for textbook ordering
  • Responsible for the undergraduate advisor desk manual
  • Represents the department on campus task forces and committees
  • Handles room reservations as needed
  • Maintains Biology Undergraduate Website

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:

* UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information - https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information
* 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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