Career Center

ACCESS Associate Director

Location: Santa Cruz
Job ID: 48024

JOB POSTING

---

NOTIFICATIONS

UC Vaccination Policy: With limited exceptions, COVID-19 vaccinations are required for Covered Individuals under the Policy. Covered Individuals include all employees, students, or trainees who physically access a University facility or program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. Covered Individuals do NOT include employees who work 100% remotely with NO expectation that they will physically access any University location or program at ANY time. If 100% remote work ends, the employee is subject to policy.

 

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz staff jobs are posted until filled. Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. NOTE: Materials submitted after the IRD will be forwarded only at the request of the hiring unit. Submit your materials before the IRD to ensure consideration by the hiring unit.

The IRD for this job is: 02-01-2023

 

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

While the ACCESS Associate Director (AD) is housed in the Chemistry Department, this leader also interacts with professionals in all of the units of Physical and Biological Sciences (PBSci). The AD will leverage the skills of faculty in the PBS programs enriched by access to state-of-the-art lab facilities and equipment. The Community college students recruited by the AD will work side by side with UCSC PBSci students especially our undergraduates participating in diverse programs that set UC Santa Cruz apart from most other major research universities.

 

JOB SUMMARY

The goal of the UCSC ACCESS Associate Director (AD) is to work side-by-side with the grant Principle Investigator (PI) to provide structured activities in support of the stated aim of the project. It centers on preparing a diverse cohort of our four community college partner students to transfer to and complete a bachelor's degree in biomedical research fields. It also involves motivating selected UCSC students identified as peer-mentors and similarly motivating ACCESS alumni students enrolled in UCSC upper division studies. The AD must be a scientist and program developer able to assist UCSC and Community College (CC) faculty in implementing effective, evidence-based approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprises on the UCSC campus. The AD must be able to work alongside the PI to ensure that the aims of the ACCESS grant and the newly funded Simpson PSB Fund grant will incorporate educational, research, mentoring, and career development ACCESS students from the four community colleges to transfer and complete the bachelor's degree in biomedical fields. The AD must understand and help to evolve the mechanisms of this partnerships between the four two-year post-secondary educational institutions granting the associate degrees with UCSC and other four-year colleges or universities that offer the baccalaureate degree.

 

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Salary Information: Salary Range: $52,100 to $61,500/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

No. of Positions: 1

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: This is a Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 004535 (K to 14 ACAD PREP SPEC 3)

Travel:  Up to 25% of the time

 

JOB DUTIES

80% - Program Leadership and Management:

The AD Director must participate in continuing design, direction, and implementation of the research education program and provide oversight on administering the award.

• The AD will be involved in the nine program design components that are on-going in the project that are key to the success for the participating students. 
• Thus, the AD will also play a critical role in implementing a variety of activities in partnership with the PI.
• Also, of critical importance is that the AD must provide the leadership and support necessary to implement the five aims as follows.  

Aim 1: To improve the success and confidence of underrepresented community college students through community college-based activities including Supplemental Instruction (S.I.) sessions and mentoring in introductory chemistry and biology courses. The goal is to continue increasing the grade point performance for participating students (ca. 300 per year) vs. that of the normal population.  

• This is a complicated task and needs constant oversight and interaction with the four partner community colleges during the 9 months of the AY (from late August to May) The AD must continue to understand the challenges of delivering the content of a gateway courses in the biomedical and STEM sciences,
• Solicit the interest and participation of faculty, researchers, and other professionals. Attend enrichment activities.

Aim 2: To motivate first year community college science students through the Mini-Research Camp presented as a collaborative effort between Community College and UCSC faculty and staff. The goal is to up the participation by 30 students to increase the applicant pool for the SRI (see Aim 3) and to stimulate community College Faculty development.  

• This is a multifaceted task and the AD must lead the process of soliciting applications, organizing the list of accepted participants and setting up the logistics for this activity that occurs annually in January.

Aim 3: To provide underrepresented community college students with a foundation of fundamental skills and experiences in an 8-week Summer Research Institute (SRI) held at UCSC. The goal for this select group of 15 students annually will be to maintain our transfer rate record of nearly 90%. 

• This is a demanding task and requires oversight beginning six months prior to the beginning of the SI. The AD will lead the campaign to solicit and accept applications setting up the logistics for this activity. The work on this task will usually begin in February and continues into the end of the summer. 
• Develop and implement all aspects of an 8-week residential internship. Establish criteria for intern selection; recruit and guide selection committee. Promote student participation and recruit students. Develop a series of events that will maximize the educational experience of interns. Write and maintain a current Student Manual. Solicit the participation of UC faculty as mentors and outline specific roles. Provide support and advice to students who are unfamiliar with the University and the academic research environment. Develop and present workshops on science communication.

Aim 4: To link academic course work with pathways leading to careers in the biotechnical sciences. This will motivate ACCESS students to consider curriculum and degree choices relevant to becoming a biotech science professional vs. the obvious health professional career tracks known to most beginning college students. The goal is to introduce 40 or more ACCESS students to Santa Cruz based biotech organizations, their professionals (many of which employ physical and biological scientists at many degree levels) and their college educational experiences. 

• This is a new component that we are still designing. Our progress in both the implementation and possible early stage corrections will evolve greatly during the next two years and the AD will be expected to play a pivotal role in this process. 

Aim 5: To engage matriculated ACCESS students as peer mentors and use existing UCSC programs to enable their participation in academic year-based undergraduate biomedical research. The goal is to have all matriculated ACCESS participants (from 2-5 annually) complete a senior thesis.  

• This is also a rather new venture for our program. Our progress in both the implementation and possible early stage corrections will evolve greatly during the next two years and the AD will be expected to play a pivotal role in this process.

10% - Implementation of Overall Program Strategies & New elements described in the Simpson PSB Fund award:

• This requires that the AD has the skill & maturity to recognize the need to diversify the scientific workforce by enhancing the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The AD, to be effective must have command of research showing that that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogenous teams. The AD must be able to contact UCSC Faculty PI's from PSB and engineering and interact with trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. The AD must be able to implement the aims of the program and link these to the career development of individuals from diverse backgrounds.  A major duty is to refine the existing 12-month calendar of activities and ensure that all of its elements are implemented.

5% - Miscellaneous Tasks:

• A variety of unrelated actions will need attention and the AD will take the lead in working with the PI to complete essential actions. Examples of engagements are: monitoring expenditures; tracking participation of CC PI's and summer CC liaisons; organizing enrichment visits to the CC partners, scheduling seminar rooms and lab facilities for program components associated with Aims 1 to 4; attending national
• meeting such as SACNAS; preparing first drafts of required NIH annual reports and assisting with fundraising and proposal writing; publishing the SRI calendar and AY calendar; provide guidance and ensure compliance to applicable laws and guidelines related to diversity issues; plan quarterly advisory committee meetings; oversee external consultants and evaluators. 

5% - Exposure Tasks:

• These actions range from tracking the monthly spending, issuing subcontracts to CC partners, tracking ACCESS participant career trajectories, enrolling students in Xtrain & ORCID, monitor progress in mentor training, continued attention issues of lab safety and responsible conduct of research.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Strong skills in communicating clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Scientist with an advanced degree and interest in developing experience advising and supporting educationally disadvantaged students regarding postsecondary opportunities and careers.
• Leadership and supervisory skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and manage multiple critical projects with deadlines. Strong project management skills.
• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related area and /or equivalent experience / training.
• PhD in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Thorough knowledge and experience working with educational equity programs serving a diverse student population. Demonstrated cultural competency with respect to race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• Thorough knowledge of K-12 and higher education institutions (UC, CSU, CC, etc.), admissions and financial aid and scholarship requirements, and matriculation processes.
• Thorough knowledge of up-to-date information on K-12 and higher education policies and issues. Ability to assess their impact on program strategies.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with school district administrators, school counselors, principals, teachers, and community contacts. Ability to develop outreach programs, and design effective materials.
• Thorough knowledge of high school graduation and college entrance requirements.
• Knowledge of state and national education policies and current education theories.
• Thorough knowledge of youth and adolescent development theory, including issues facing low-income, first generation and urban youth.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of K-12 and higher education policies and issues, assesses their impact on program strategies, disseminates information to school-site and district personnel.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures to youth, parents, and school representatives.

 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer 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.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• The University of California has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.
• 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.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Attach your resume and cover letter when applying for this job opening. Do not attach any documents to 'My Activities'. Visit our How to Apply tutorial for detailed instructions on our applicant process.

 

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.



APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=48024&PostingSeq=1

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of California is an Equal 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.







Copyright 2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-867a6580c6c54345a4617df6129bf046

Return to Search Results