Department

SSD: Political Science - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

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.

Job Summary

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.

Responsibilities

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 Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

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

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelors degree.

Experience:

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

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

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

Preferred Competencies

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.

Application Documents

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

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$59,042.00 - $76,408.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.