Careers

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) shapes, advances and stewards a world-class undergraduate academic experience for students at the University of Washington. Staff, faculty and students in UAA deepen and enrich the learning experience for all undergraduates, recognizing and supporting the unique learning path of each individual student and the commitment of each academic program to excellence in learning and teaching. UAA includes several units, one of which is First Year Programs. 

Within UAA, First Year Programs (FYP), a department under Student Academic Services, is responsible for the annual entry and transition of all new University of Washington students (approximately 9,200  first year and transfer students) and family members (about 5000). First Year Programs fosters a successful undergraduate student experience through strategic programming that focuses on positive academic transitions and the development of learning communities. FYP adheres to the guiding philosophies of collaboration, intentionality, equity and access. Specific FYP programs include: Advising and Orientation programs, Parent Orientation, Dawg Daze Welcome Week, the First-year Interest Group (FIG) program, First-year Networks, and the Commuter and Transfer Commons.

First Year Programs (FYP) is seeking a creative and results-driven professional for the role of Program Manager focused on Operations and Student Transitional Support.

The Program Manager represents First Year Programs (FYP) in a variety of capacities and manages day-to-day operations for general office administration, student programming, and FYP services. Specifically, this position takes the lead in managing the administration for the following areas: serving as the primary contact for new admitted students and families; student employee onboarding, offboarding, leadership development and training; student advising; providing leadership and management for the student team who support purchasing and suite facilities for programming within Mary Gates 120, and Husky Union Building 141. The position works with FYP Leadership and Program Managers to review existing policies and procedures, examine program progress and issues, and make recommendations for program and policy changes to enhance programs and students’ smooth transition to the university.

Candidates for this position must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of many social, economic, cultural, gender, ideological, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

Reporting to the FYP Associate Director, the Program Manager has the following duties:

Oversee and provide advising and support services for incoming first-year students (35%)

Serve as the primary contact for all newly admitted students and their families.

Counsel and advise students regarding transitional program policies and procedures, registration, and University student services.

Manage and provide structure for student transitional support requests. 

Provide content review and editing of email communications and publications relating to newly admitted students and Advising & Orientation programming.

Update informational materials and office space to reflect programs and services.

Manage personnel and administration of student employees (30%)

Hire, train, and counsel student staff who are responsible for programmatic support for all FYP programs

Participate in all recruitment processes providing policy and procedure recommendations and guidance.

Design curriculum and structure for all student employee onboarding and offboarding, provide clear instructions for professional staff to supervise student employees.

Manage performance and personnel decisions related to Student Coordinator and Student Assistant staffing. (approx. 25 students)

Provide direction and delegate projects to student employees (Student Assistants) 

Contribute to the design of the Advising & Orientation registration database and develop training materials for student employees.

Facilitate and/or provide content presentations for First Year Interest Group and Orientation Leader student leadership courses. 

Assume responsibility for the First Year Program office general operations management (25%)

Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of Mary Gates Hall 120 (FYP Main Office) and the Husky Union Building 141 (Commuter & Transfer Commons)

Consult with FYP staff to create policies and procedures for all programs, including the Advising & Orientation program, Dawg Daze, First-year Interest Groups, First-year Networks, and the Commuter and Transfer Commons.

Assist with student fee budget reconciliation and purchase various supplies with university pro-card.

Maintain and update FYP administrative procedures and training resources.

Serve as the FYP representative on broader campus committees and a liaison to departments and offices.

Liaise with Husky Union and Mary Gates Hall building coordinators, Facilities Services, Emergency Management Office and outside vendors and coordinate facility use request requests.

Assist in maintaining unit storage rooms and spaces.

Maintain CAAMS building access for Suite 120 and Hub 141.

Assess and evaluate departmental program policies and procedures (5%)

Manage reviews to examine the design, implementation, and effectiveness at achieving operational and programmatic management outcomes.

Provide expertise regarding program administration, registration, and student functions related to program effectiveness.

Contribute to the functioning of First Year Programs and Undergraduate Academic Affairs (5%)

Participate in committee work within FYP, UAA, with campus partners, or with professional organizations directly related to the position to support their strategic initiatives, mission and goals.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

Core Competencies of the position:

Information and Technology

Process and Project Management

Building Effective Relationships/Teams

Problem Solving and Decision Making

All FYP Staff will demonstrate and integrate the following Undergraduate

Academic Affairs Competencies:

Accountability and Integrity

Race, Equity, and Difference

Constituent Focus

Collaboration and Teamwork

Required:

Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum of three years of experience with administrative responsibilities, including coordinating the delivery of programs and events, including logistics, and customer interface.

Experience managing multiple projects.

Demonstrated organizational skills, creativity, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

A team-oriented and collaborative approach to work responsibilities and the desire to interact extensively with colleagues

The capacity and persistence necessary to be productive within a large, decentralized, and dynamic university environment

Demonstrated ability to take the initiative, work independently, and be flexible as a member of a team.

Demonstrated ability with Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

A clearly articulated philosophy for academic/personal development for students transitioning to college or from one college to another

Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain external relationships and to negotiate effective agreements across student service units and academic departments.

Strong supervision skills.

Knowledge of/experience with college transitional programming and student retention strategies.

Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain external relationships and to negotiate effective agreements across student service units and academic departments.

Know of/experience with the administration of credit-bearing academic planning and multi-tasking.

Ability to delegate a task to student employees and communicate with stakeholders.   

Demonstrated experience simultaneously managing multiple, dynamic projects at various stages of implementation.

Demonstrated experience and established track record of working with customers, setting customer service expectations, and training others in customer service.

Ability to manipulate complex spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel

Working conditions

This position works primarily during standard office hours (8 am – 5 pm) in a shared office in Mary Gates Hall. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Work outside of normal working hours is most often program dependent and scheduled in advance.

Occasional travel is also required for the position. Typical travel is related to meetings with the external service providers, representation at regional or annual/national professional associations, and annual overnight meetings (one for student staff).

The position is expected to perform reasonable physical labor including the organization and transportation of event materials. Event materials may include boxed cases of printed materials typically weighing less than 25 pounds. Event materials may be transported on flatbed dollies or with hand trucks (2-wheelers). 

The position is expected to have a driver's license and be a safe and courteous driver. The position will be asked to occasionally drive a university vehicle to and from various campus locations or to and from off-campus locations.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.