Department Purpose

The Departments of Plant Pathology and Entomology & Nematology are complex academic departments with 41 ladder faculty, 7 cooperative extension specialists, 28 academic federation employees, and 45 postdoctoral scholars. The departments provide instructional, research, and outreach programs. This position is part of a team of two advisors who manage all aspects of the academic advising for the undergraduate programs in Plant Pathology and Entomology & Nematology.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, independently provide advanced and comprehensive academic advising and support services of diverse scope and complexity for approximately 375 undergraduate students in the Department of Plant Pathology. Serve as primary advisor for Global Disease Biology (GDB), including the GDB minor. Provide advising support for Animal Biology major (ABI), Entomology major (ENT), Contemporary Leadership Minor, Career Discovery Group, (CDG) and Science and Society Program (SAS). Interpret and implement policies and administer undergraduate activities for the department. Responsible for interpreting, analyzing and implementing a wide variety of Academic Senate regulations and administrative policies in evaluating student petitions, assessing individual academic performance and progress toward satisfaction of degree requirements.

Advise GDB undergraduate students, analyze and solve complex academic problems and refer students to campus community resources. Coordinate invited advising for all students based on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year status. Meet with all Subject to Dismissal and Readmission students. Represent the department at student orientation and other events and act as liaison for undergraduate major clubs. Coordinate and run orientation for all incoming GDB students. As a member of a team, make decisions on dismissal, continuation, readmission, and other important matters for individual students. Evaluate and approve transfer credits for major requirements. Provide support for undergraduate program reviews, course approvals, catalog updates and related activities. Assist instructors in the approval of new courses and course changes through the Integrated Course Management System (ICMS).

POSITION INFORMATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS     

• Sit at computer terminal up to 8 hours a day.
• Valid California driver’s license required for transportation of materials and to attend meetings.
• Lift materials weighing up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment policy is intended to provide a healthier, safer, and more productive work and learning environment for the entire UC community. The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University owned or leased properties, or facilities operated by UC staff or faculty. Smoking and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, parking lots, residential space, and University vehicles.

https://ucdavispolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/271

• Work occasional overtime, including evenings and weekends for department outreach events including commencement and orientation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education/Experience:                         

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced experience advising, counseling, and career placement for students in a higher education environment including development of academic plans, guiding students through academic planning, preparing major certifications, identifying and determining appropriate level of advising or referral services for individual students, and providing immediate crisis counseling and referrals as needed.
• Experience handling difficult/unpleasant situations and/or individuals, identifying problems/needs and making competent referrals or developing solutions. Experience writing, editing and proofreading to answer correspondence, write reports and develop informational materials for print and web.
• Experience calculating course grades, grade-point averages, balances & deficiencies in unit requirements. Experience maintaining confidentiality dealing with highly sensitive student records and applying federal and state FERPA and Information Privacy act regulations.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) :

• Skills to use a variety of computer software including word processing and data management, spreadsheets, e-mail and web browsers. Analytical skills to interpret policies & requirements of the department, college & university, & communicate complex regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize work and meet critical time lines and to manage multiple tasks with concurrent and conflicting priorities in complex work environment and meet deadlines.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact tactfully and diplomatically with faculty, staff, students and parents; to listen and respond to concerns and problems; and to comprehend the specialized needs of students from diverse backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education/Experience:

• Experience with online advising tools such as OASIS and MyDegree, Banner and their related forms and policies.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

• Knowledge of course offerings, prerequisites, & programs available on campus; & registration procedures & deadlines.
• Knowledge of University, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, & Department policies, requirements & procedures related to undergraduate students & graduate students.
• Knowledge of the Global Disease Biology, Entomology and Animal Biology undergraduate majors’ requirements.
• Knowledge of or experience in a research environment, especially in the form of a project with a written result.
• Skills to retrieve & assemble information for preparation of reports, schedules, correspondence, etc.
• Knowledge of admissions criteria for new students; of articulation agreements with other universities/colleges for transfer students, and the applicability of credit from other institutions

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The University of California has implemented a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Policy (ucop.edu) covering all employees.  To be compliant with the policy, employees must submit proof of vaccination or a University-approved exception or deferral.

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain - we improve.

We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds and you belong here.

As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community , our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected .

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence.  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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.