Career Center

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) shapes, advances and stewards a world-class undergraduate academic experience for students at the University of Washington. Staff, faculty and students in UAA deepen and enrich the learning experience for all undergraduates, recognizing and supporting the unique learning path of each individual student and the commitment of each academic program to excellence in learning and teaching.

Within UAA, First Year Programs (FYP), a department under Student Academic Services, is responsible for the annual entry and transition of all new University of Washington students (approximately 9,200 first year and transfer students) and family members (about 5000). First Year Programs fosters a successful undergraduate student experience through strategic programming that focuses on positive academic transitions and the development of learning communities. FYP adheres to the guiding philosophies of collaboration, intentionality, equity, and access. Specific FYP programs include Advising and Orientation programs, Parent Orientation, Dawg Daze Welcome Week, the First-year Interest Group (FIG) program, First-year Networks, and the Commuter and Transfer Commons.

First Year Programs (FYP) is seeking a creative and results-driven professional for the role of Director, First Year Curriculum and Engagement.

The position is responsible for designing the learning outcomes and engagement opportunities for several first year experiences. Programs range from small, "boutique experiences' to large-scale events for several thousand students. Programs include " but are not limited to First year Interest Groups (FIGs), Collegium Seminars, Dawg Daze and Family Orientation. Each program focuses on helping students transition and navigate the university, begin their academic journeys, and find community. This position requires the use of a collaborative and collegial approach to establish and maintain successful relationships with colleagues and units in Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA), the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D), Student Life, college and departmental administrative units (including academic advising units), faculty, senior campus administrators, and external partners and suppliers. When the position is not directly responsible for the delivery of a program, they will supervise the Program Managers who are responsible.

Candidates for the position must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of many social, economic, cultural, gender, ideological, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

Reporting to the Executive Director for First Year Programs and Strategic Initiatives and as a member of the FYP and Student Academic Services (SAS) leadership teams the Director has the following duties:

RESPONSIBILITIES:  
Unit Direction: Strategic Initiatives and Program Leadership (40%)

Direct the First-Year Curriculum and Student Engagement programs which include but are not limited to  First Year Interest groups (FIG), Collegium Seminars, Dawg Daze, and Family Orientation.

Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with campus partners to produce high quality programming for new students.

Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with people and departments across campus who share responsibility for student retention and success. Lead the creation of goals and improve divisional and institutional relationships with departments who share responsibility for undergraduate academic success.

Oversee the Curriculum and Student Engagement programs budget of $400,000.

Lead morale and team recognition efforts for the First Year Programs team.

Serve as a contributing member to the leadership team for Student Academic Services (comprised of First Year Programs, UAA Advising, and Academic Support Programs).

Program Operations and Administration (35%)

Oversee the development of class curricula in first-year seminars, first-year interest groups, and the orientation leader class.

First-year Interest Groups
     - Teach sections of GEN ST 470 in spring and fall for peer mentor and/or leader training seminars.
     - Participate and provide guidance to program staff who support the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of 180 FIG) peer educators and 150 Dawg Daze Leaders.

Advising & Orientation
     - Design A&O module curriculum in line with A&O program needs and manage A&O e-learning modules and first-year publications
     - Oversee the design and production of student publications and modules, including videos, photography, diagrams, and copy editing.
     - Coordination of all aspects of Family Orientation, overseeing program implementation and provide direction to program staff.

Participate, provide guidance and direction for Dawg Daze structure and programming.

Lead unit-wide assessment and evaluation including data collection, data management, dissemination, and consultation (10%)

Use established principles of measurement theory to develop valid and reliable instruments that assess student learning, satisfaction, or evaluation of programs and services.

Conduct data analyses using a blend of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques as necessary. Disseminate information of assessment findings to campus and external constituencies.

Facilitate the use of assessment findings for continuous improvement.

Supervision and evaluation of professional staff members (10%)

Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and conduct performance evaluations for 2 FTE.

Manage graduate students and student coordinators.

Set office policies and procedures.

Contribute to the functioning of First Year Programs, Student Academic Services, and Undergraduate Academic Affairs (5%)

Work with SAS programs to advance the goals of FYP, UAA, and the UW.

Serve on UAA and campus committees as needed.

Core Competencies
Demonstrates understanding for the following areas:

Written Communications

Project Management

Building Relationships

Negotiation for obtaining program resources

All FYP Staff demonstrate and integrate the following Undergraduate Academic

Affairs Competencies:

Accountability and Integrity

Race, Equity and Difference

Constituent Focus

Collaboration and Teamwork

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in education, student affairs, sociology, or related field.

A minimum of 4 years of experience working directly with college or university transitional and learning community programs designed to maximize the success of entering students.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The capacity and persistence necessary in order to be productive within a decentralized and dynamic institutional environment.

An established track record of successful program development and expansion including the ability to initiate and maintain external relationships and to negotiate effective agreements across student service units and academic departments.

Superior administrative and organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of varied tasks simultaneously.

Budget management.

Supervision of professional and student employees.

Demonstrated ability to make decisions with awareness of both unit and program implications.  

DESIRED:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in education, student affairs, or a field of study that relates to the responsibilities of the position.

A supervisory philosophy that is inclusive, supportive, and collaborative; one that prioritizes the full involvement of supervisees, as well as timely performance evaluation and opportunities for professional growth.

An established, student-centered educational philosophy that reflects a thorough understanding of student development theory and current research on student learning and peer instruction.

The capability to assess programs, interpret gathered data, formulate plans to address identified concerns, and implement responses to improve administrative efficiency and enhance the participants’ experiences.

Demonstrated possession of a consultative management style that facilitates the creation and maintenance of positive relationships and partnerships with external constituencies.

A willingness to support and engage in the planning, implementation, and assessment of curricular efforts for first-year students.

Experience teaching and designing curriculum for first year experience courses.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.