University of California Merced

Hiring Range

$58,000 – $63,000

Job Closing Date

Initial applicant review will begin on or around September 19th, 2022. Posting will remain open until filled.

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. In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced. To set the course of UC Merced’s evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward 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 within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

About the Job

Reporting to the Associate Director for Transition Programs, the Coordinator for Peer Mentoring and Learning Support utilizes skills as a seasoned, experienced professional to help and mentor students. Applies the full range of knowledge and strategies related to learning, helping and mentoring skills for new students. Coordinates new student learning support initiatives through mentoring, course work, workshops, and collaborations with peer educator groups, schools, and departments. Addresses the academic, social and emotional transition needs of new students through coordination of the mentoring program. Coordinates virtual connections and technology initiatives for new students. Works independently, receiving guidance in unusual or particularly complicated situations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Delivers mentoring programs to students that enhance academic success through group, one-on-one, and course-based formats of service for a wide range of learning and transition issues. Uses online tools to develop program objectives for mentors and mentees. Maintains international certification status requirements for mentorship program.
Develops and coordinates virtual connections and learning tools for the Bright Success Center through the use of various online and technology tools to adapt services to specific learning preferences, personalities and student populations.
Supervises and guides a staff of undergraduate Success Mentors and Peer Instructors. Coordinates recruitment and selection processes for undergraduate staff. Develops and maintains staff development and training programs. Educates staff on effective lesson design strategies and active learning techniques. Ensures staff are trained and develop skills in areas including mentorship, communication, and learning styles. Responsible for corrective action as needed.
Coordinates learning consultation support for undergraduate students, including design of a systematic approach for intake of learning consultation requests and conducting learning consultations. Assesses appropriate needs of students, assists students in identification of goals, and refers students to specific student programs.
Conducts ongoing assessment, evaluation and reporting on programs’ needs and effectiveness in relation to learning outcomes.
Applies and implements innovative new student transition support models, strategies and tools to support and enhance student learning, academic success, and intellectual development.
Serves on University committees, task forces or as liaison to specific programs, student service departments, or advising units. Collaborates with advising units, academic departments, and other student service units to assess students’ needs and coordinate outreach events.
Works in partnership with Bright Success Center staff to support the Summer Bridge program, including coordination of peer mentorship and support of workshop interventions for Summer Bridge participants.
Serves as an instructor for Undergraduate Studies 010 (USTU 010), a 1-unit seminar for first-year students.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university in related area and three years of progressively responsible related experience or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
Master’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training preferred. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Experienced knowledge of student development theory, learning styles, affective issues, academic issues, and socio-cultural/linguistic issues in applying academic support to students.
Demonstrated knowledge in how to enhance students’ intellectual and personal growth and development, including critical thinking, effective communication, reading, writing, note taking, time management, goal setting, self-appraisal, self- esteem, clarification of values, appropriate career choices, and leadership.
Knowledge of the methodologies used to enhance student achievement, such as collaborative teaching / learning models, strategies for effective counseling and peer mentoring, small group facilitation and training, coaching, mentoring, and advocacy.
Knowledge and experience in analyzing complex situations and identifying solutions for problem-solving; skills and experience in developing and administering programs designed to meet the diverse needs of students.
Knowledge and experience in researching, compiling and analyzing data, and generating reports.
Knowledge of current research, technological tools and theoretical models that influence the application and delivery of academic services (e.g., discipline specific, student-population specific). (Preferred)
Knowledge of trends and issues facing low-income and first-generation college, underrepresented, disadvantaged, physically challenged, and under prepared students in higher education.
Knowledge of program development, data gathering, assessment, and evaluation skills.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements to provide for access, health, confidentiality, and safety; legal and ethical issues governing the delivery of counseling services.

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 [email protected].
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.