• Job Description

  Req#: 520493

  About UMass Amherst

  UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

  Job Summary

  The Associate Director of Academic Programs provides leadership and direction for the Graduate Program within the Department of Political Science in order to support its growth and development. The Associate Director is also responsible for the smooth and effective execution of undergraduate enrollment management and programmatic activities.

  Essential Functions

  • Develop and oversee execution of events and programming for graduate students. This includes coordinating multi-day recruitment fair for prospective graduate students, graduate orientations, brown-bag lectures and workshops for graduate students (e.g. taking stock check in event, info sessions on grants, scholarships/fellowships, PhD job talks), and “Initiative” workshops and presentations among graduate students and faculty.
  • Serve as data analyst for graduate program. Create and maintain graduate student database using Microsoft Access; write and run queries to compile and produce data on students and alumni, including graduate student progress, alumni placement, admissions, etc.
  • Manage and promote the growth of the Accelerated MA graduate program by coordinating, with director of administration and research, the marketing and development of Accelerated MA program; serving as Five College liaison for recruitment; and hosting and organizing information sessions for prospective students.
  • Serve as steward of graduate fellowships and grant programs, including supervising and managing the Graduate Student Research Initiative Program (GRIP), the faculty Department Research Initiative Program, and graduate fellowship programs. Create and maintain applications and procedures for each program, convene review committees, facilitate payments and awards, and enforce reporting requirements for awards.
  • Advise/counsel students on academic requirements and satisfactory progress toward their MA or PhD, with special attention to Department requirements and rules; proactively advise students who have not completed their requirements or are not in satisfactory progress.
  • Support the professional development of graduate instructors. Review and distribute SRTIs for graduate instructors, identifying and documenting the high and low performing instructors and providing necessary support. Act as placement coordinator for Accelerated MA, MA and PhD students.
  • Act as staff associate for Graduate Studies Committee and Graduate Admissions Committee, and attend Graduate Studies Committee and Graduate Admissions Committee meetings. This includes proactively authoring memos and letters; completing GFAF, hourly, and fellowship appointments; maintaining graduate rules for MA, Accelerated MA, and PhD programs; and serving as liaison between the Department and Offices of Degree Requirements, Graduate Records, Graduate Assistantship, Graduate Admissions, Graduate Registrar, International Programs and Minority Graduate Student Recruitment.
  • Serve as a member of the Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) team; recruit and propose new courses based on student expertise; and work with the CPE manager and Graduate Program Director to determine appropriate instructors.
  • Work closely with Program Directors, Chief Undergraduate Advisor, Honors Director, Scheduling Coordinator, and academic advisors to ensure proper course offerings each semester, including tracking and confirming number of honors, general educations, and Residential Academic Programs offerings.
  • Oversee curriculum changes by working with the Undergraduate or Graduate Program Directors to prepare reports and forms for College Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate reviews.
  • Coordinate with the Director of Administration and Research, graduate alumni and development programming and maintain contacts with graduate alumni.
  • Develop promotional materials for graduate programs and projects, including materials for prospective MA, Accelerated MA and PhD students, for placement, and for grants/fellowships for graduate students.

  Other Functions

  • Ensure smooth operation of the Department by overseeing and performing routine administrative tasks.

  Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Bachelor’s degree in a social science discipline or in business, public administration, or management. A minimum of four years equivalent full-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in program administration or program coordination, preferably in an academic department in a College or University setting.
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Access.
  • Advanced computer usage skills, including Microsoft Excel, Google documents, and word processing.
  • Demonstrated experience working with student information systems.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and varying situations with a high degree of independence and initiative, competent judgment and discretion.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Advance project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent problem solving skills and collaborative work style.
  • Ability to carry out assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects.
  • Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to interact effectively and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students and off-campus constituents.

  Physical Demands/Working Conditions

  • Typical office environment
  • This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

  Additional Details

  • The Department of Political Science houses the undergraduate majors in Political Science and Legal Studies, the Five College International Relations Certificate, and the MA, PhD and Accelerated MA graduate programs in Political Science.

  Work Schedule

  8:30 am to 5:00 pm

  Salary Information

  Level 26

  PSU Salary Ranges

  Special Instructions to Applicants

  Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

  UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

• About the company

  The oceanfront campus is minutes from downtown Boston and nationally recognized as a student-centered urban public research university.

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