Project and Policy Analyst, College Student Life

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 08-11-2025

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

Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi-funded organization within the Finance, Operations Administration (FOA) division at the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz. CHES provides leadership in the areas of college student life and residential services, housing services, facilities, employee housing and capital planning, dining services, conference services, early education services, the Bay Tree Bookstore, ID card services, and business and financial analysis for these areas. Through these units, educational and developmental programs and services are offered to all members of the campus community including students, faculty, staff, children and external constituents.

CHES provides on-campus housing and dining services to nearly 9,500 undergraduate and graduate students in ten residential colleges and six multi-college affiliated residential communities which support single students and students with families.

More information can be found here: https://csl-careers.ucsc.edu/educational-priority-and-learning-goals/index.html

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director, College Student Life, the Project and Policy Analyst will provide a high level of planning, organizational development, project management, project analysis, and departmental support. This position requires the ability to work with insight, tact, political acumen and diplomacy when interacting with constituents within College Student Life, CHES, FOA, UCSC and external communities. The incumbent works independently with a high degree of confidentiality and is responsible for providing organizational support to the Executive Director. The incumbent must manage a complex workload with competing priorities while effectively working with a diverse population both within the University system and in the public sector.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $83,000/annually
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: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 007398 (PROJECT POLICY ANL 3) -

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Organizational Planning, Project Management, Workforce Support

• Assists the Executive Director, College Student Life (CSL) in establishing and implementing all aspects of organizational planning, project management and workforce support. Plans and implements a variety of projects.
• Develops processes and ensures coordination of all CSL project teams. In conjunction with the Executive Director, establishes annual goals for CSL units. Develops annual CSL administrative timeline and its deliverables. Develops and prepares reports, presentations and other related materials for the Executive Director.
• Coordinate and/or support special or confidential projects involving research, analysis, and/or administrative support that require CSL-wide communication, and present recommendations or reports, as required.
• Coordinates and responds to requests for information. Develops draft responses. Tracks and coordinates assignments and ensures coordination and implementation of collaborative efforts with the Executive Director.
• Coordinates processes for implementation, monitoring, assessments and evaluations at all levels of the unit.
• Works with the Executive Director to develop and maintain effective performance management processes for CSL leadership. Coordinates annual performance evaluation program.
• Participates in organizational design analysis and planning to optimize individual and organizational effectiveness. Proposes staffing plans.

25% - Unit Coordination and Support

• Becomes and remains informed on issues of importance to the Executive Director. Undertakes fact-finding and analysis; prepares reports, speeches, correspondence, visual presentations, and other materials.
• Manages time, information flow, communications, assignments, action items, and support in order to create smoothly functioning events for CHES/College Student Life.
• Researches, analyzes and compiles briefing materials to support the Executive Director, including pertinent facts, data, and other background information as necessary for meetings, reports, inquiries, agendas, and presentations. Prepares reports, presentations, talking points and presentation materials for the Executive Director
• Composes, edits, reviews (for content, clarity and correctness), proofreads and rewrites as necessary, correspondence, cover memos, reports or other materials.
• Coordinates logistics for meetings and events, including facility location, meals and refreshments, audio visual equipment and services, written materials and communication as directed by the Executive Director.
• Manages "troubleshooting" at events; providing on the spot decision regarding logistics, program changes, event timing, access, etc. based on an understanding of impacts on interdependencies, costs, event environment and impact on attendees.

20% - Organizational Effectiveness & Staff Development

• Co-Directs and/or supports the activities of project teams to ensure projects progress on schedule and within the prescribed budget. Monitors project scope. Provides status updates to the Executive Director and tracks related issues.
• Works directly with the Executive Director to design and implement tools to assist CSL leadership team members in the development of cohesive operational units.
• Provides administrative support to unit-wide strategic planning, goal setting and policy development congruent with CHES, FOA Division and campus strategic plans, policies and procedures.
• Advises on staff training and development programs, supports implementation.
• Develops processes and ensures coordination of all CSL Standing Committees, Task Forces and Standing Groups.
• Exercises independent judgment and initiative in completing tasks and in bringing information or problems related to a wide range of issues, projects, programs, and other matters to the attention of the Executive Director.
• Coordinates annual call for business continuity plan updates and ensures completion for all CSL organizational units.

15% - Response to Urgent Unit Issues

• As assigned by the Executive Director, provides analysis, and coordinates support to CSL managers that are addressing urgent issues or crises requiring a prompt and coordinated resolution.
• Coordinates CSL-wide response to emerging issues, determining and reevaluating priorities in the context of unit and campus objectives.
• Provides response support to a broad variety of complaints and problems arising from the campus community and the public related to CSL programs and services. Analyzes, investigates, researches and facilitates resolution of complaints/problems.
• Tracks unresolved issues, updates the Executive Director and makes recommendations.
• Coordinates responses to issues throughout CSL; addressing gaps and/or overlaps in response; ensures that the Executive Director is briefed on pertinent incoming information at all times.
• Assists managers during periods of crisis management by providing context and relevant information.

10% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Supports the overall mission and goals of the College Student Life unit and CHES and takes on special projects or assignments as delegated.
• As requested, serves on a broad range of CHES, BAS, campus or system-wide committees, work groups or planning groups to represent the College Student Life unit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Demonstrated experience in organizational planning and development for a multifaceted organization.
• Proven experience with project management and demonstrated experience working on projects from conceptualization to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to objectively analyze complex information, problems, and processes and formulate conclusions as a sound basis for establishing priorities, selecting appropriate courses of action and making practical recommendations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to independently manage a variety of projects with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively within a large, highly diverse and multifaceted team and to interface with a wide array of senior administrative personnel and to work collaboratively and effectively as a team member.
• Demonstrated political acumen regarding sensitive and high-visibility issues; awareness of and ability to achieve balance among competing variables and interests in a highly visible, diverse, and complicated campus environment.
• Skill to understand, interpret and apply complex processes and procedures.
• Technological proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google suites of products.
• Capable of quickly becoming familiar with a variety of applications, programs, databases and platforms used within CSL (e.g. Slack, StarRez).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate and interact effectively with many audience types in person, on the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, and discretion in handling confidential and/or highly sensitive matters with tact, sensitivity and helpfulness.
• Ability to assess the training and development needs of an organization, and plan appropriate training to meet those needs.
• High level of intercultural fluency; demonstrated insight, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with diverse populations within the organization and corresponding communities.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• 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 vaccine program.
• 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.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.