UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) is seeking a dedicated and professional member to join our team as an Educational Program Assistant 2. The Educational Program Assistant 2 will serve as the undergraduate and graduate program coordinator for all department educational programs. The successful candidate is someone that is comfortable communicating with diverse groups, has high attention to detail, enjoys both complex tasks and routine work, can anticipate future needs based on past events, and practices a student-forward mindset that will foster the growth of our students and academic programs to reach their full potential. The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, experience in an academic setting, and the ability to work as a team member to contribute to a culture that values community, inclusion, excellence, and strategic growth.

PSLA is a diverse department with a collegial group of 21 faculty and 12 member support staff, over 100 students in the 2- and 4-year programs and accredited landscape architecture program, and around 30 graduate students. Research and teaching infrastructure of the Department includes wet labs, greenhouses, plant growth chambers and tissue culture facilities, design studios, 153-acre research and teaching farm, and the Waxman Conifer Collection. The Department operates the Home & Garden Education Center, the Plant Diagnostics Clinic, Turfgrass Disease Diagnostic Center, the Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory, and the Plant Transformation facility. PSLA is often a top academic department in the College in external grant funding per faculty line, with over $3M per year.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Include but are not limited to:

Student Support

• Provide support and assistance to students in departmental programs.
• Respond to prospective student inquiries for programs, and provide information to students regarding academic forms and Department policies and procedures.
• Organize orientations and welcome events for all new undergraduate and graduate students.
• Regularly communicate with students in the Department to inform them of relevant upcoming events, deadlines, opportunities, and expectations.

Student Recruitment

• Develop and maintain marketing and promotional efforts for departmental undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including print and digital materials for open house recruitment events, department websites, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn), University communication platforms, and other promotional materials.
• Coordinate planning, execution, and advertisement of the Department's academic, research, recruiting, and alumni relations events and fundraisers, and keep current with communication trends in student recruitment.
• Lead department recruiting and alumni relations, serve as a resource to the public, and maintain website content for prospective and current students.

Program Coordination and Reporting

• Support administrative functions of the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees, keeping abreast of reportable progress achieved in these programs, and disseminating information as requested.
• Serve as the undergraduate and graduate programs coordinator and oversee the admissions process for the graduate program and Landscape Architecture (LA) program and serve as an ex oficio member of the graduate committee. 
• Work closely with the Graduate Program Chair on graduate admissions, fellowships, and other funding applications, oversee the annual graduate student evaluation process, and address student needs as they arise.
• Work closely with the Director of the Landscape Architecture Program to facilitate activities, communications, reporting, and events, especially as it relates to LAAB accreditation.
• Manage academic and student records, compile data for reporting and program/course assessment, guide short- and long-term curricular planning of the Department.
• Manage department course scheduling, teaching room reservations, and classroom teaching budgets, as well as manage departmental teaching and student space and teaching supplies and equipment, and guide department decisions on the assignment of teaching assistants.
• Act as a departmental liaison between College/University staff, Department Head, LA Program Director, and department faculty.
• Work with department and College faculty/staff to address student and program needs, and arrange for professional development and academic topics as needed.
• Assist with processing undergraduate and graduate fellowships and scholarships.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of related experience, OR equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
2. Excellent organizational skills.
3. Ability to efficiently handle multiple tasks at one time.
4. Clear, positive, and professional written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
5. Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience working at a university or with student groups in a collegiate setting.
2. Leadership experience in organizing events, coordinating group activities, and/or online communication for a club or group.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with communication technologies, including experience with social media platforms and website maintenance.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position. Telecommuting on a hybrid basis may be allowed subject to authorization and University policy. The University offers a competitive salary, commensurate with background and experience, and outstanding benefits including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #497213. Please be sure to include, a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references (including title, organization/company, phone, and e-mail). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Evaluations of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.