Assistant Director of Reentry Programs (Hybrid) Job Listing at University of California in Merced, CA (Job ID 67772)

Description

Hiring Range

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 $61,400- $109,200.  The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $65,200 - $81,500.

Job Closing Date

Initial applicant review will begin on or around April 30th, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

Hybrid Modality: We plan to require this position to be in-person at least once a semester per site (total of 2 sites) and for any regional or departmental convenings (estimated 4 per year).

This position is a 2 years with option for a renewable contract contingent upon funding.

About UC Merced

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.

About the Job

Under the joint supervision of the Director of Strategic Initiatives at UC Merced Extension / Director of Degree Completion Program at UC Merced and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Degree Completion Program at UC Riverside Extension, leads and oversees the day-to-day operation of in-depth, wideranging, and complex reentry advising and holistic services of stop-out and other types of students seeking to complete a UC undergraduate degree. Manages a team of advisors serving complex student matters and addressing individual student challenges. 

Advises the UC Merced Degree Completion Program, UC Riverside Degree Completion Program, UCRC Leadership (3 campus deans and 3 campus directors), and other affiliated workgroups or committees related to degree completion program in managing reengagement and persistence initiatives, including academic departments, student affairs offices, and Schools on campus. Lead the development of and manage the day-to-day operation of campus-wide pathway programs for students seeking re-admission to UC Merced and UC Riverside, as well as those seeking other types of education. Interpret and apply complex Academic Senate, college or school, and campus academic and administrative regulations and policies associated broadly with undergraduate education and advising. Collaborate with the key personnel in the degree completion programs at UC Merced and UC Riverside on the planning and developing office policies and procedures designed to optimize the delivery of advising and academic support services to this population. 

Identify and propose solutions to leadership regarding policies and procedures creating barriers to student reentry and degree completion using data, policy analyzation, and student testimonial. Is expected to identify systemic problems and issues and propose solutions to the UCRC leadership team that may be taken forward to UC Office of the President. 

Applies advanced advising and project management expertise while working with senior leadership and other personnel in advising community as well as Undergraduate Education, Office of the University Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, and other related student affairs offices at UC Merced and UC Riverside to create pathways to degree-completion for students who stopped attending a UC campus for various reasons. Utilizing data gathered from working with this population, makes recommendations to senior leadership regarding new solutions and program types that would best serve these learners. Is responsible for meeting the strategic goals of the program in keeping with the overall program budget. Prepares regular reports on outcomes, barriers and budget for the UCRC leadership team and UC Office of the President. 

Collaborates with other staff and leadership at other UC campuses on projects, programs, and events that serve students from pre-matriculation to post-graduation. 

This position supports a multi-campus program. It formally reports to the Director at UC Merced with a dottedline reporting structure to the Director at UC Riverside. The position supports both Directors (50% time to UCM and 50% time to UCR).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION 

• Within the Division of University Extension, provides and makes recommendations for the improvement of UC Campus and Systemwide Policies. Advises deans and directors on the formulation of policy on areas needing clarification and identifying solutions; analyzes the consequences of organization's academic policies; recommends new or changed policies; and recommends solutions to organization's problems without precedent. 
• Advises management on the program budget and available funding for re-entry student support. 
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Degree Completion Program at UC Merced and UC Riverside in coordination with senior leadership at UC Merced Extension and UC Riverside Extension. Implement and execute initiatives as identified in the strategic plan and as directed by the Director of Strategic Initiatives at UC Merced Extension / Director of Degree Completion Program at UC Merced and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Degree Completion Program at UC Riverside Extension. Identifies development strategies and best practices for ensuring outreach, reengagement, enrollment, and completion rates are met annually. Develops and manages timely and appropriate communication flows to prospects, re-admits, and re-enrolled students in collaboration with other key degree completion staff at UC Merced Extension and UC Riverside Extension. 

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION

• Coordinates the implementation of new initiatives and strategies aligned with degree completion efforts to reengage, readmit, re-enroll, and graduate UC stop-outs as identified by the program. Identifies new target student populations and interventions to reengage at UC Merced and UC Riverside, including identification of any policy and process barriers. Assist in the identification and development of program innovation and continuous improvements supported by senior leadership. 

ADVISING, RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS COORDINATION 

• Using advanced student services knowledge, identifies and refers for resolution intricate student issues and students' personal crises that may have prevented them from completing their degree or may still be barriers to returning to complete their degree; recommends petition exceptions that affect the requirements of multiple departments; facilitates new course approval through interaction with the departments, schools, and Academic Senate (XR and XM courses). 
• Advises the university (and through coordination with the UCRC Leadership team the UC Office of the President) on outreach strategies and helps identify targeted student populations to meet program goals; coordinates, reviews and advises on transferability and applicability of non-UC courses. 

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 

• Supervises advising staff. Provides direction, support, and assessment to subordinate staff. Develops and maintains a succession plan and staff development plan. Provides recommendations to senior leadership at UC Merced Extension and UC Riverside Extension on personnel related issues or concerns a part of the degree completion programs. 
• Leads on the most complex re-entry advising scenarios and collaborates across campus functional areas to solve discrepancies in students' re-entry and re-admission process, including complex financial aid issues. 

LIAISON AND OUTREACH 

• Oversees development of multichannel marketing and communication strategy. Collaborates with other units on campus at UC Merced and UC Riverside in support of improved and seamless student service of reentry students. Assists the Director of Strategic Initiatives at UC Merced Extension / Director of Degree Completion Program at UC Merced and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Degree Completion Program at UC Riverside Extension in cross-campus initiatives and partnerships in support of degree completion students at UC Merced and UC Riverside. Participates in monthly and regular meetings as part of the UCRC advising teams. 
• Presents information on the degree completion re-entry program to a variety of stakeholders both locally, regionally, and nationally to professional associations. Work informs long-term UC systemwide strategy. 

PROGRAM EVALUATION & COMPLIANCE 

• Timely communication and submission of reports or requests for data/information. Assistance in maintaining and enhancing technological systems to integrate the Student Information system and Customer Relations Management System and support efficiencies in recruitment, admissions, and yield. Ensure assessment is conducted periodically which validates the effectiveness of the processes and provide historical perspective and significant information on emerging reengagement trends and issues.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a related area, or equivalent experience/training. (Required) 
• Advanced degree from an accredited university in a related area. (Preferred)
• Five years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in a student services job function, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Must maintain valid CA DL, a clean DMV record and enrollment in DMV Pull-Notice Program.
• Experience in holistic advising and counseling approaches and experience with academic policies, procedures, and requirements in a higher education setting; recommending solutions to progression and requirement issues; ability to make proper referrals to other campus resources. Experience and skills to facilitate workshops and present in public forums. 
• Significant knowledge of the goals and mission of the University as they relate to academic preparation, recruitment, and advanced-standing admission. 
• Significant knowledge of UC's colleges, schools, and department transfer policies. 
• Significant knowledge regarding UC's colleges / schools, general education policies and requisite transfer preparation. 
• Ability to make decisions independently, manage details of complex projects and processes aligned with strategic priorities from start to finish with minimal direction, and to adapt to constantly shifting priorities and outcomes. 
• Ability to contribute and lead in a shared leadership model where collaboration, teamwork, and cooperation are emphasized in order to provide high quality student services. Skills to supervise staff in a variety of venues and circumstances. 
• Experience discussing and engaging in practices directly related to equity, inclusion, identity development, diversity, and cultural competency and humility. 
• Experience using interpersonal, communication, problem solving and listening skills to identify and document patterns of student academic needs; to develop strategies and programs to successfully meet needs; and to interact and provide guidance to students and parents from all backgrounds. 
• Experience creating and implementing academic success, student leadership, professional development programs and/or workshops. (Preferred) 
• Experience using student-facing programs and systems websites for advising students, such Banner, Modern Campus-Destiny, and Oasis. (Preferred) 
• Knowledge of the some college, no credential population and related trends, data, and research pertaining to student persistence, outreach, retention, and completion. (Preferred)

Background Check

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

Policy Statement

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/

Employee Referral Program

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. 

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