UW McNair Hiring a GSA – deadline extended to May 2nd

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON                                                McNAIR PROGRAM & EIP

April 1, 2014

Greetings:

This letter will be of interest to graduate students who are currently seeking employment for the 2014-2015 academic year. The Early Identification Program (EIP)/McNair Program in the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity is now accepting applications for a Graduate Student Advisor (GSA) position. The appointment will begin on or around September 15, 2014 and continue through the end of the academic year, June 15, 2015.

EIP provides services designed to give undergraduate students a competitive advantage when applying to graduate schools. This program was formed in 1985 to encourage undergraduate students to enter graduate programs and assist them with the application process. Although EIP offers assistance and support to all qualifying students who are considering graduate and professional careers, the program places special emphasis on encouraging underrepresented and educationally/economically disadvantaged students to pursue the doctoral degree.

The McNair Program prepares low-income, first generation undergraduates and undergraduates from underrepresented groups for doctoral study. In 1999, the University of Washington received funding for this program from the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of the program is to increase the representation of economically and educationally disadvantaged groups in academic and research positions. Each year, the program has 27 McNair Scholars.

GSAs’ responsibilities include but are not limited to: (1) meeting regularly with EIP and McNair students as well as other undergraduate students; (2) preparing the McNair Annual Performance Report for the U.S. Department of Education in Fall Quarter, via telephone and other electronic media; (3) guiding students through the graduate/professional school application process via pre-graduate advising, design/preparation and instruction of the senior seminar in the Fall Quarter (General Studies 391R); (4) assisting with the coordination and implementation of our joint Spring Quarter research conference (scheduled next year for mid-May 2015) (see: http://depts.washington.edu/uwmcnair/conference.htm). In addition, Graduate Advisors assist the Director, Associate Director, and Program Coordinator with other administrative duties, including the planning of program events, outreach efforts and recruitment, program evaluation, database management, emails and web page development and updates.

Applicants must: (a) be currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Washington; (b) have significant teaching, mentoring, or advising experiences in college or university settings; (c) have a demonstrated commitment to working with underrepresented and educationally/economically disadvantaged students; (d) display strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills; and (e) possess strong computer and technical skills (i.e., familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, Page Maker/InDesign, Pine e-mail platform, Word Press, and HTML/Dreamweaver/MS Expression Web).

We give priority consideration to graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. programs with well advanced standing. This year we are looking for one liberal arts GSA and one STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) GSA who possess exceptionally strong writing, journal editing, and advising skills and experience (To provide an approximate caliber of individual(s) we are looking for: Our recent liberal arts GSAs have transitioned to tenure track professor positions to major universities such as St. John’s and University of Vermont).   Solid background in quantitative methods/database management or a strong motivation/willingness to train in this area is also a plus.

The position requires full academic year commitment, and compensation will be at the 50% FTE rate, ranging between $1,525-$1,761 per month.  This pay scale reflects the 2013-2014 regular Graduate Student Services Appointment Salary Schedule (http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/salaries/salary-schedules.shtml), and may change with the upcoming collective bargaining contract.  This job classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit: http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/uawcontract.shtml

If interested in applying for this position, please submit your 1) curriculum vitae and 2) a cover letter describing your interest in the position as well as any relevant experiences via email (uwmcnair@uw.edu). The University of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450/206.543.6452 (tty) or dso@u.washington.edu.

All application materials must be received via email (uwmcnair@uw.edu) by 11:59pm on Friday, May 2, 2014. Applicants should be available for an interview between June 2-6, 2014 if at all possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (206) 543-6460 or via email at uwmcnair@uw.edu.

Position Description

Graduate Student Advisor

Early Identification Program for Graduate & Professional Study

and Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Office of Minority Affairs/Diversity

University of Washington

Overview of Program Philosophy

The Early Identification Program for Graduate & Professional Study (EIP) was established in 1985 by the Office of Minority Affairs/Diversity. The long-range goal of the program is to help address the paucity of qualified minority, first generation and economically disadvantaged applicants to faculty positions in American colleges and universities. The philosophy of the program is that this goal can be met by providing undergraduates who aspire to graduate or professional school with the level of guidance, resources, opportunities, and information necessary to make informed choices regarding their professional goals and the variety of post-baccalaureate options available to meet those goals.

 

Twenty-seven undergraduates are part of the McNair Program each year. Students accepted into McNair must be low-income and first-generation or from an underrepresented group, and they must intend to pursue a PhD. The McNair Program provides guidance, research opportunities, and services to prepare undergraduates for doctoral study. In 1999, The University of Washington received funding for this program from the Department of Education. Named for Challenger astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the program’s goal is to increase the representation of economically and educationally disadvantaged groups in academic and research positions.

 

Program Function and Staffing Structure

Together with the Directors of the two programs and the Program Coordinator, the staff maintains ongoing counseling relationships with over 200 students, builds and maintains professional relationships with faculty, interacts with numerous other programs and services both on and off campus, develops programs and seminars to meet students’ needs, identifies scholarship and fellowship opportunities, maintains detailed information regarding internship opportunities, maintains an extensive library of information about graduate and professional school programs, and provides opportunities for students to engage in and present original research.

 

In addition to an Associate Director and Program Coordinator, the staff of EIP/McNair is usually composed of two Graduate Student Advisors (regular UW Graduate Assistant appointments, one funded by the Office of Minority Affairs/Diversity, and the other funded by the McNair Program).

 

This job classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit: (http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/uawcontract.shtml).

The University of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Working under the guidance of the Director, Associate Director, and Program Coordinator Graduate Student Advisors (GSAs) assume the following minimum responsibilities:

• Meet (and follow-up) regularly with students to discuss their plans and options for graduate study.
• Work as part of a team planning and implementing workshops, seminars, and programs.
• Assume responsibility for advising students in areas of study that may be outside own area of specialty.
• Establish contacts with programs (including their faculty and program assistants) in the areas of study for which the GSA is responsible.
• Assist Director, Associate Director, and Coordinator in program assessment and evaluation activities.
• Establish and maintain UW campus contacts in the areas of study for which the GSA is responsible.
• Connect students with UW faculty or graduate students when appropriate.
• Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards when working with students—these are outlined in GSA training.
• Serve as representative of programs to outside constituents when necessary.
• Assist Director, Associate Director, and the Program Coordinator in the organization and implementation of outreach and recruitment efforts.
• Participate in selection committees for EIP- and McNair-sponsored scholarships, as well as hiring.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• MUST routinely update electronic information systems which include webpage, listserv, MS Excel, MS Access Database, and Catalyst survey information for the Annual Report (GSAs are responsible for updating the MS Excel Spreadsheet for the U.S. Department of Education Annual Performance Report).
• Must be physically present/report to for work 19.5 hours per week in the McNair/EIP Office.
• Perform clerical duties assigned by the Associate Director and Program Coordinator.
• Assist in preparation for Sophomore Seminar (Different Ways of Knowing).
• Must serve as instructors for Senior Seminar.
• Must gather information, edit, and compose online newsletter, The McNair Rocket, via computer software available.
• Must gather research papers, edit, and compose online (and paper) UW McNair Journal via computer software available.
• Must be able to execute orders from Director, Associate Director, and the Counselor Coordinator.
• Must not have problems with top-down management.
• Other duties as assigned by Director, Associate Director, and Program Coordinator.

 

 

Graduate Student Advisors should, minimally, have the following qualifications:

• Active matriculation in a UW graduate degree program (Ph.D.) or other doctorate preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with undergraduates in counseling or advising setting.
• Demonstrated experience with graduate/professional school admissions structures.
• Experience or desire to train in basic data entry and analysis.
• Experience or desire to train in web editing and/or composition skills.
• Experience working as part of a team on the planning and implementation of events and programs.
• A broad knowledge of the numerous requirements for various graduate and professional programs and internships available to students, and a demonstrated ability to secure such knowledge.
• Extensive experience teaching undergraduates, and in particular, working with minority and/or economically-disadvantaged students in a college/university settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to the academic success of minority and/or economically disadvantaged college students.
• Experience working with faculty in a research university.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Superior writing and editing skills.
• Superior office skills (including computer knowledge), especially thorough knowledge or the strong desire to train in basic data/statistical analysis, query, and entry via MS Access and Excel***
• Some exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) major preferred but not required.

 

*** Candidates who are granted an interview may be asked to demonstrate data skills in front of computer during the interview.

 

Salary:

 

This job classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit: ( http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/uawcontract.shtml)

The University of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.  Salary commensurate with academic standing, qualification, and experience.

 

How to Apply:

 

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your 1) curriculum vitae and 2) a letter describing your interest in the position as well as any relevant experiences via email (uwmcnair@uw.edu). The University of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450/206.543.6452 (tty) or dso@u.washington.edu.

 

All application materials must be received via email (uwmcnair@uw.edu) by 11:59pm on Friday May 2, 2014.  Applicants should be available for an interview between June 2-6, 2014 if at all possible.

 

 

Application inquiries:

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (206) 685-3643 or via email at uwmcnair@uw.edu.

 

Notes: 

This job classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit:

http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/uawcontract.shtml

 

The University of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.  To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 / 206.543.6452 (tty) or dso@u.washington.edu.

 

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