Student Affairs Administrator

SSD: Political Science - Staff and Temporary Employees The Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago is a pioneer in the development of social scientific understandings of government and politics and one of the nation's leading political science departments. With approximately 40 faculty members, 80-90 PhD students, and 110 undergraduate majors per year, it is one of the larger departments in the Division of Social Sciences. It is a lively and collegial department, with a robust slate of events, visiting speakers, and visiting faculty. Major department business each year includes faculty promotions and the hiring of new faculty. This position administers programs in student affairs activities, including orientation and onboarding programs for incoming students. Acts as the primary point of contact for student inquiries. Uses a moderate/high level of understanding in student affairs to develop future enrollment strategies using admissions and financial aid data.

The Student Affairs Administrator is responsible for graduate and undergraduate student affairs in the Political Science Department. The person in this role will act as the main point of contact for PhD students, undergraduate majors, and prospective graduate students. This role also includes organizing orientation and recruitment activities for incoming PhD students, as well as coordination on student affairs projects and working with the Director and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies.

• Manages admission review process, working closely with the SSD Dean of Students office; maintains electronic records, compiles information, and creates reports to assist in the Admission Committee’s selection process; coordinates prospective student visit day and Autumn orientation for entering students. Acts as the primary point of contact for prospective PhD student inquiries.
• Advises students regarding departmental PhD requirements; works closely with the Director of Graduate Studies to monitor individual student progress; notifies students regarding requirements and necessary actions toward remediation.
• Maintains student records, arranges examinations, hearings, and defenses, and communicates results to SSD Dean of Students office and others. (20%)
• Coordinates the assignment of Teaching Assistantships to assist students in fulfilling the department’s teaching requirements; processes TA appointments. .
• Serves as department point person for implementation of the the
  Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
  with the Graduate Student Union, working closely with the SSD Dean of Students Office and UChicagoGRAD.
• Assists students with course registration issues/adjustments. .
• Facilitates the quarterly degree-audit process for graduating PhDs in coordination with the Dissertation Office and reviews completed dissertations for graduating students to ensure required processes are followed. Assists with Divisional convocation ceremony in June, as needed.
• Maintains/updates Department’s program requirement information on the department website and in Graduate Announcements and College Catalog.
• Works with department administrator to gather faculty yearly teaching plans and produce the department’s quarterly Schedule of Courses. Maintains the department’s course information in CIM to produce the Schedule of Courses and Graduate Announcements and College Catalog.
• Works with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to coordinate and report the fulfillment of the major writing requirements, including the final decisions on departmental honors.
• Solves problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student admissions, curriculum research and development, and budget development.
• Recommends process improvements for programs that relate to critical student-life improvement, including emergency management, accommodations for students with disabilities, and/or the administration of health care services and programs for students.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelors degree.

• Working knowledge in student affairs administration.
• Background in higher education.
• Adept at advising students.

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• University of Chicago proprietary software, especially AIS/Stellic/CIM, Slate, Canvas, UC Box.
• Facility in learning new computer skills.

• Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Identify graduate students' academic progress issues sympathetically and resolve them appropriately.
• Analytical and data presentation skills.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Attention to detail.
• Shift priorities quickly and manage frequent interruptions from students and faculty.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

Student Affairs & Services Individual Contributor 37.5
No
No
No Salary Exempt $59,042.00 - $76,408.00 Yes