HCI Program Assistant

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.
Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a Baskin Engineering or affiliate staff position. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 03-17-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Originally founded in 1997, the Baskin School of Engineering is the first professional school at UC Santa Cruz. Over the past 20 years, Baskin Engineering has become a unique 21st-century school of engineering and technology, characterized by evolutionary growth fueled by ongoing research opportunities that open new areas of intellectual inquiry. Baskin Engineering has grown to include six academic departments, a variety of research centers and institutes, and has ambitious plans for further programmatic growth. The focus of Baskin Engineering educational programming is to instill strong basic knowledge for sound practice in science and ethical engineering for the well-being of society. Its diverse curricula facilitate creative thinking and prepare students for productive and rewarding careers. Baskin Engineering is focused on building collaborative connections and expanding instruction and research activities for faculty and students at UC Santa Cruz, both at its Santa Cruz campus and at its campus in Silicon Valley, the international center of technological innovation.

Baskin Engineering champions new ideas and upholds the UC Santa Cruz Principles of Community.

The Computational Media (CM) Department at UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering offers several graduate degree programs out of the UCSC Silicon Valley Center campus in Santa Clara, CA. The Silicon Valley CM programs include professional MS degrees in Human Computer Interaction, and PhD and MS degrees in Computational Media. Depending on the time of year, the campus hosts between 100 and 200 graduate students. Six faculty and three staff are located full-time at the Silicon Valley campus, in addition to part-time lecturers. Two faculty serve as Program Vice Chairs for the two professional MS degree programs.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of one of the Program Vice Chairs, the Program Assistant provides logistical and administrative support to the Computational Media Department for programs, projects, and tasks, in accordance with University policies, departmental policies, and goals of the Professional MS programs. Through frequent interactions, the incumbent builds relationships with Computational Media and Engineering staff at the main Santa Cruz campus, and with MS/PhD students and staff at the Silicon Valley campus. The Program Assistant works independently and collaboratively with program staff and instructors to ensure the campus's programs run efficiently.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $29.38 - $33.74/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Silicon Valley (Santa Clara, CA)

Union Representation: CX Union

Job Code Classification: 004722 (BLANK AST 3)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - General Administration

• Provides general administrative support for Computational Media programs as necessary.
• Provides logistical and administrative support of program projects and tasks, including answering academic program inquiries and other questions via email, phone, or in-person meetings.
• Directs students to appropriate personnel for assistance.
• Troubleshoots student, instructor, and faculty administrative and logistical needs or problems, and handles requests for services, escalating as necessary to the appropriate program vice chair.
• Maintains compliance with all training and professional development requirements.
• Maintains familiarity with policies and regulations, as well as with objectives of UCSC Silicon Valley Campus, the Baskin School of Engineering, and the Computational Media Department.
• Assists in the orientation of new faculty and staff to general UC Santa Cruz policies and procedures, as well as specific policies and procedures for the UCSC Silicon Valley Campus.
• Oversees student bullpens, team spaces, and shared spaces (e.g., break room), working cooperatively with students and custodial staff to ensure spaces remain clean and in good working order.
• Works with IT and A/V staff to initiate repair of computers, game consoles, and equipment in bullpens and laboratories as needed.
• Prepares bullpen and team room facilities at the beginning of each academic year.
• Assists in purchasing books, games, media, equipment, and supplies for Computational Media labs and programs.
• Oversees key service accounts for the Silicon Valley campus, including the SV Slack Workspace and Eventbrite accounts.
• Reimburses students and faculty for approved purchases.
• Tracks equipment and supplies for the programs.
• Schedules meetings, meeting rooms, and logistics for visiting speakers.
• Makes room assignments for visiting scholars and students.
• Ensures accuracy and completeness in the end products of work, and may assign and check the work of others.

40% - Coordination of Logistics, Marketing & Special Needs

• Organizes and attends special events, meetings, and projects.
• Handles administrative arrangements for special programs and courses, conferences, meetings, job fairs, and symposia, as requested.
• Attends evening and weekend work events as necessary.
• Travels to events as necessary.
• Coordinates logistical aspects of events, including space rental, catering, event registration, speaker travel arrangements, staffing registration tables at events, and audio/visual setup.
• Operates live streams for events, handling the live video feed while also interacting with the audience and answering questions as necessary.
• Prepares equipment, technical support, and work order requests.
• Coordinates with the operations and ITS teams to ensure room setup, classroom, and event supplies, and that technical support requirements are met.
• Prepares purchase orders and reimbursement paperwork for Computational Media faculty, staff, and students.
• Collaborates with staff, faculty, and students on special projects and events, including capstone completion events for MS programs.
• Works with the student Community Manager to foster and promote community and collaboration amongst the Computational Media students, faculty, and staff located at the Silicon Valley campus.
• Assists the Marketing, Communications, and Recruitment Coordinator with the preparation of marketing materials.
• Participates in recruitment events.
• Assists with the maintenance of alumni connections and outreach as necessary.
• Assists with recruitment and marketing coordination.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility sufficient to work effectively with students, staff, faculty, and the general department, and maintain composure in complex and stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and organize small to large special events.
• Solid written communication skills, including knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation.
• Solid verbal communication and listening skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Ability to schedule, promote, and implement planning for short- and long-term program planning and functions.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Computer skills with demonstrated experience using programs included in Google Docs and Microsoft Office.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and /or training.
• Related experience in continuing education or higher education.
• Ability to budget, schedule, support, and promote academic courses of a complex nature with differing content and objectives.
• Ability to provide administrative support in a medium to large organization.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite for use of marketing materials and more.
• Knowledge of streaming software and services such as OBS and Twitch.
• Familiarity with human-computer interaction.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed (to support quarterly or special events).
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• This position is not eligible for full remote work and requires a regular on-site presence. A hybrid schedule may be considered based on operational needs.
• The Program Assistant will be required to travel periodically to support program activities, industry engagements, and events.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.