ACE Learning Skills Advisor

NOTIFICATIONS

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’s COVID-19 vaccine program.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD.  Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant’s behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link . 

The IRD for this job is: 1-24-2024

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 Academic Excellence (ACE) Program is designed to increase the success of a diverse population of UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) students in their pursuit of bachelors’ degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). ACE is an academic achievement and retention program, which is administered through the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences at UCSC. Initially, ACE supports students enrolled in gateway mathematics and science courses through active learning problem solving sessions and peer mentoring. Along the way, ACE helps students navigate the research university and the extracurricular STEM opportunities available to them on campus and elsewhere. Ultimately, ACE offers a community for students who strive for and commit to success in STEM at UCSC. The ACE Program received the 1999 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. This lifetime award is administered by the National Science Foundation and is presented by the White House to individuals or programs that show a sustained and successful effort in mentoring students underrepresented in those fields.

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

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the ACE Program Director, the ACE Learning Skills Advisor (LSA) works to improve learning outcomes for STEM students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are enrolled in selected UCSC mathematics and science courses requisite for their STEM bachelor’s degrees. The LSA leads and facilitates intensive, collaborative problem-solving sessions for these courses, holds weekly individual or small group support or advising sessions, and conducts problem solving exam review sessions. In addition, the LSA writes letters of recommendation supporting students’ applications to extracurricular STEM opportunities as well as graduate and professional schools and contributes to the professional development of ACE student co-leader/peer mentors. ACE has a long history of supporting disadvantaged students in their successful pursuit of STEM bachelor’s degrees. The ACE Program’s success is reflected in the performance and retention data of ACE versus non-ACE students. In order to verify the success of the ACE Program, the LSA monitors individual program participants’ attendance in ACE Program Sessions as well as their overall university experience and progress. This is a non-academic position.

The LSA provides a limited range of professional knowledge and strategies related to learning skills for students, works independently on standard program presentation, and may receive guidance from higher level Student Academic Specialists in adapting counseling to specific learning styles and linguistic issues.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $27.15 – $32.04/hour.  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: Partial-Year Career appointment, with a 3 month furlough during summer 

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004549 (STDT ACAD SPEC 2)

Travel:  Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

80% – Lead Active Learning Sessions / Support and Advise ACE Students

• Prepares materials for problem-solving sessions that are challenging, engaging, and in line with the content and pace of specified biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics courses.
• Facilitates ACE Problem Solving (PS) Sessions for specified biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics courses, which meet twice a week for an hour and a half per session. There are 20 – 40 student participants in each session; the ratio of participants to staff, including student co-leaders, is approximately 12 to 1. Each PS Session facilitated is equivalent to a 25% staff position.
• Consults regularly with Instructor(s) of Record concerning the goals and pace of the course(s) being supported in order to provide close coordination between the ACE PS Sessions and the lectures.
• Holds problem solving exam review sessions outside of formal PS Sessions.
• Provides extra PS Session support outside of regularly scheduled PS Sessions, as well as university life advising and academic advising to individuals or small groups of ACE students.
• Helps ACE students navigate UCSC by supporting their goals and success. This may include, but is not limited to assisting students in the development and maintenance of a variety of learning skills, suggesting internships and research opportunities, writing letters of recommendation in support for students’ applications to such opportunities or to graduate or professional schools, and making necessary and appropriate referrals to other campus units or off campus agencies.
• Contributes to the training and development of ACE Co-leaders/peer mentors.

20% – Monitor ACE Students’ University Progress

• Keeps ACE Session attendance records and shares any roster changes with the ACE Program Director and ACE Program Coordinator.
• Collects course performance information so that strategies specific to ACE students’ needs may be shared in a timely fashion.
• Tracks students’ participation in extracurricular STEM opportunities or admission to graduate or professional schools.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) related field and/or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work in a multicultural setting and to be sensitive to the unique needs of underrepresented and educationally disadvantaged students who are pursuing STEM bachelors’ degrees.
• Ability to prepare for and lead intensive, active learning problem solving sessions for students enrolled in selected UCSC biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics courses.
• Ability to assist students in the development and maintenance of a variety of learning skills, which will contribute to their learning and subsequent performance in the biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics coursework.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups including professors, students, and others.
• Ability to the train and develop ACE Student Co-leaders/Peer Mentors.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, good judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to work accurately with interruptions to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently and taking initiative.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with academic success programs for first generation and underrepresented students pursuing STEM bachelors’ degrees.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform essential physical job functions.
• 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, and be able to fulfill requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• 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 .

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.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.