Academic Advisor

Position Number: 40075222

Payroll Title: STDT ACAD ADVISOR 2 SV (005140)

Job Code: 005140

Job Open Date: 4/29/26

Application Review Begins: 5/14/26

Department Code (Name): DRAM (DRAMATIC ART/DANCE DEPARTMENT)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): SV-Student Services and Advising Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $25.77 to $34.67/hour. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $25.77 to $43.58/hour.

Work Location: Theater and Dance West, Rm 2527

Working Days and Hours: M-F: 8:00am - 5:00pm; Some evenings and weekends are required.

Benefits Eligibility: Full

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Position Start date would be 7/1/2026 or after.

Department Marketing Statement: The Department of Theater and Dance fosters an inclusive, vibrant and stimulating environment that encourages creative self-expression and critical thinking. Undergraduate programs include intensive, conservatory-style training for actors and dancers, as well as general degrees with a focus on Dance, Design, Directing, Playwriting, Theater and Community and Theater and Performance Studies. The department's nationally recognized and highly ranked graduate program offers a diverse array of interdisciplinary approaches to performance research within a global orientation. The department provides a lively forum for faculty to integrate teaching and research, at the cutting edge of their areas of expertise.

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Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under general supervision, manages all aspects of the undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Theater and Dance, exercising independent judgement, a high level of professionalism and robust analytical skills. Facilitates all matters related to advising (daily and recurring checks on academic welfare and career counseling) and curriculum development in consultation with faculty (area program planning) for all degree programs, including 2 conservatory-style/studio-based Bachelor of Fine Arts programs, a Theater Bachelor of Arts with multiple concentrations, Minors, and our Graduate Program MA/PhD programs. Manages student auditions and admissions and is departmental representative for recruitment and outreach activities, interacting with prospective students and their communities while heeding all regulations governing student information. Is knowledgeable of current university policies and procedures, interprets and advises on guidelines from various administrative and student support units for students, staff and faculty and serves as a critical liaison to the College of Letters & Science, Office of the Registrar, Office of Admissions, Orientation Programs, Counseling and Psychological Services, Career Services, and other offices on the divisional, college and university level.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• 1-3 years Administrative Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years Experience with advising/counseling
• 1-3 years Experience working in an academic environment
• 1-3 years Experience working with diverse student populations, demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced environment

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Some evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 55% Academic Advising - (A. Undergraduate Advising): Manages undergraduate advising and provides individual and specialized academic advising and group counseling for prospective, incoming, current, and graduating Theater majors/minors and Dance majors with regard to major/minor requirements. In concert with departmental faculty, facilitates successful academic planning both for students pursuing a single major in Theater and Dance and for students who encounter complex scheduling issues arising from pursuing a double major, integrity of transfer work, academic challenges, graduation and opportunities in the professional field or higher education. Regularly conducts in-depth interviews with incoming majors/minors in both Theater and Dance, advising and developing academic plans and identifying potential considerations (internships, independent studies or honors programs). Determines eligibility for various programs. Provides advising for students who do not advance into the next phase of department's BFA programs in acting or dance, identifying resources for support and working closely with the student and appropriate faculty members to identify alternate degree objectives for matriculation from the university. Advises students on academic progress. Reviews and approves petitions regarding a change of major, verification of prerequisites, exercising independent judgement as well as consulting with departmental faculty, other department's advising personnel and College advisors. Recommends and reviews current student petitions, grade changes, incomplete grades, course requirements, changes or substitutions and ongoing issues related to academic progress and matriculation. Liaises regularly with Office of the Registrar on all graduation clearance issues, advising on complex and time-sensitive legacy degree complications. Identifies, advises and advocates when appropriate for students facing academic challenges. Evaluates student needs and exercises independent judgment in making referrals to campus resources, such as faculty advisors, College of Letters & Science, Office of the Registrar, Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Educational Opportunity Program, Campus Learning Assistance Services, Office of the Ombuds, Counseling & Psychological Services, Career Services, Campus Learning Assistance Services, Office of International Student and Scholars, and Disabled Student Program, among others. Analyzes and provides relevant context in this regard for the preparation of memos and letters from department executive leadership. Works independently with Orientation Office to conduct group setting informational meetings for incoming students and families. (B. Graduate Advising): Primary advisor for all students (current and prospective) seeking advice on the department's MA and Ph.D. programs. Inform and advise approx. 20-30 graduate students regarding university and department regulations and procedures governing their programs including program requirements, grades, courses, financial aid, leaves, exams, scheduling, and petitions. Monitor all aspects of students' progress to degree and maintenance and monitoring of confidential student files; exercise good judgment, commitment, and confidentiality with respect to students and faculty within the department and program. Participate in policy decisions with the faculty advisor, chief administrative officer (CAO), vice chair and chair, providing an informed interpretation on university policies and procedures and department precedent. Disseminate information regarding financial aid and employment opportunities. Gather, analyze and maintain database for alumni, current students, and faculty for use in policy analysis and development. (C. Both): Manages all undergraduate and graduate files and routinely reviews students' academic progress, tracking and informing students and faculty advisors about progress in the major/minor/program.
• 15% Auditions / Admissions / Recruitment - (A. Undergraduate): Manages the department's complex audition and admissions process. Coordinates recruitment efforts for and reviews audition applications in Fall and Spring Quarters for the department's two BFA programs. Manages and facilitates ongoing correspondence with prospective auditioners throughout the year, organizes logistical and programmatic aspects for approximately 75 individual Theater BFA auditions annually, over two weekends, and for over 150 individual and group auditions for entrance to the Dance BA/BFA, over 3 weekends. Works closely with area faculty in Theater and Dance to define audition needs and potential improvements to department's audition mechanism. Independently oversees several employees in administering departmental process for auditions and entrance into the major; distributing information through large mailings/online, preparing/organizing registration materials, preparing informational packets about audition protocol, directions/timeline for auditioners, and processing faculty evaluation forms. Notifies applicants, Office of Admissions, and College of Letters & Science of audition results as necessary; informs Office of the Registrar of applicants' completion of prerequisites based on audition results. Independently manages the intake of inquiries regarding the majors/minors. Manages the schedule and integrity of departmental tours and coordinates with campus tours, referring interested students to the Visitors Center, Office of Financial Aid, Housing and Residential Services, Career and Counseling Services and other student support or administrative units. Coordinates Family & Job Standard Weekend and Spring Insight. Manages schedule and content for departmental offerings for these and other annual events; working closely with faculty, career staff, student employees and volunteers to effectively position department's recruitment profile. (B. Graduate): Oversight responsibility in coordinating the graduate recruitment and admissions process. Provide information via phone, in person, and email to the public regarding the department, admissions procedures, and qualifications for graduate admissions, program requirements, and financial aid. Review and screen response to foreign and domestic applications. Oversees computation of domestic GPAs and initiation of routing sheets; coordinate acceptance letters for domestic students and the maintenance of accurate records of all applicants. Works closely with faculty advisor and Admissions Committee regarding Graduate Division regulations and deadlines, ensuring the application review is complete in a timely manner. Coordinates all aspects of campus visits for prospective students.
• 20% Instructional Administration and Program Management - Provides significant input to department Chair, Vice-Chair, Director of Dance and area faculty; advising on curriculum and policy matters related to course development and department programs. Initiates, recommends, researches, and facilitates the implementation of programmatic changes to undergraduate and graduate program. Advises Chair, Vice Chair, Director of Dance and area faculty on the need to develop, update or implement departmental guidelines and best practices as they relate to the administration of department programs. Participates in department meetings concerning undergraduate and graduate matters. Works with faculty to facilitate nomination and selection of students for special programs such as departmental honors, undergraduate awards/scholarships, and graduate stipends. When students are nominated, generates and analyzes reports to determine student eligibility and advises faculty on strategy for awards processing for internal and campus-wide recognition. Responsible for all aspects of class scheduling including; coordinating department space and campus resources with programmatic needs, enrollment projections, student and faculty needs, fixing course conflicts, and scheduling teaching assistant sections. Exercising independent judgment, works to reconcile problems arising from faculty teaching constraints, room availability, and student demands. Implements and publicizes schedule changes, as necessary to students, staff, and faculty. Assists in achieving enrollment targets using available resources, identifying and implementing improvements as needed. Coordinates faculty interaction with course administration systems (e-grades, class lists, approval codes, waitlists, course reports, online liability waivers), provides guidance for individual course requirements to students enrolled in Theater/Dance classes and manages the processing of student evaluations. Updates General Catalog, Master Course Approval records, online Theater/Dance major/minor requirements, and Articulation Agreements with community colleges. May consult on IRAL quarterly reports and annual Instructor Workload report. Maintains existing paper and/or electronic undergraduate records, current and archival, and ensures confidentiality in handling by university personnel. Responsible for all correspondence, publications, student handbooks, and surveys pertaining to undergraduate and graduate programs; updating as required. Manages all online content in relation to the undergraduate and graduate programs.
• 10% Other Duties - Is principal contact and liaison for students, campus, and community on all matters concerning Theater and Dance undergraduate and graduate programs. Responsible for generating and distributing course-related interdepartmental announcements, manages list-serv to department community, disburses related communication in that capacity. Runs reports to collect student and course data as needed and requested by faculty leadership and department business officer (for instance, curriculum/enrollment data for department planning or academic reviews). May assist with the organization and planning for annual departmental events (Awards Ceremony, Kick-Off Celebration, area meet-and-greets) and may liaise with Event Management and Protocol on commencement matters. Serves as Department Purchasing Card Holder. Purchases department needs on a regular basis for Administrative Office and helps facilitate purchase for faculty when necessary.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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 status under state or federal law.

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