Graduate Staff Assistant - Undergraduate Research Program

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) has a great opportunity for a Graduate Staff Assistant. The URP facilitates research experiences for undergraduates with faculty members across the disciplines. URP staff assists students in planning for an undergraduate research experience, identifying faculty mentors and projects, defining research goals, presenting and publishing research findings, obtaining academic credit, and seeking funding for their research. URP maintains a listing of current UW undergraduate research opportunities and related national programs, and offers the UW Amgen Scholars Summer Program and the Summer Institute in the Arts & Humanities. The Annual UW Undergraduate Research Symposium provides a forum for students to present their work to the university community and the public. Information about our program offerings and ethos is available on the URP website.

Graduate Staff Assistant's General Responsibilities:
• Provide advising to students interested in becoming involved in undergraduate research
• Facilitate information sessions and workshops related to abstract writing and skills
• Assist in raising awareness about the Undergraduate Research Program by connecting with other departments and units on campus
• Assist in the planning of the winter quarter Research Exposed seminar and take lead responsibility on assessment of student learning by reviewing essays final quizzes
• Assist in the planning of the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, including communications with undergraduate participants and a variety of other support functions prior to and during the Symposium
• Assist with the editing of the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium publications
• Provide clerical and web support for the Undergraduate Research Program, assist in daily operations, office organization, and routine web-updates
• Assist in the planning of the Annual Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities, including communications with interested students, applicants, and participants
• Provide reception and web support for the Center for Experiential Learning, where the program is located. (More information about the Center for Experiential Learning is available on the program's http://depts.washington.edu/exp/.)

Requirements:
• Enrollment in a UW graduate program
• Experience participating in research as an undergraduate and/or graduate student
• Strong communication skills, including experience making presentations and public speaking
• Computer literacy: proficiency with Dreamweaver, MS Word, Excel, Access, some experience Catalyst tools desired
• High comfort level with computer technology and software programs, including interest in learning new web page design and other technical skills
• Creative problem solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work well under deadlines and handle multiple tasks
• Enjoy working and interacting with faculty, students and staff of diverse backgrounds
• Work well both as a team member and independently with minimal supervision

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

Condition of Employment:
# Currently registered UW graduate student

A satisfactory outcome from a criminal background verification may be required prior to hire.

Work hours and location:
Work schedule to be determined quarterly. Work location is 120 Mary Gates Hall, the Center for Experiential Learning, plus various locations for seminars, information sessions and workshops.

Supervisors:
Janice DeCosmo (URP Director) and Jennifer Harris (URP Associate Director) oversee the work of the graduate staff assistant.

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Jennifer Harris, urp@u.washingtonl.edu, 206 616-3586.

Terms:
Salary schedule may be seen at: Graduate Student Salary Schedules.

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: UW/UAW Contract Preamble.

Staff Assistants will be required to register for a minimum of ten credits per quarter.

Application Process:
Part of the application process for this position includes completing an on-line cover letter assessment as well as the Employment Eligibility Assessment to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. The assessments will appear on your screen for you to complete as soon as you select "Apply to this Position" on this job announcement. Once you begin the assessment, it must be completed at that time. 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 the assessment is complete.

In the cover letter assessment, please:
# identify strengths you would bring to this position;
# your background and abilities directly related to this position;
# contact information for 3 references (name, title, phone, email) familiar with your teaching and/or research abilities.

Preference will be given to applications received by Sunday, November 30, 2008.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Decisions and notification to all applicants will be communicated by Monday, December 22, 2008.