Director of Riverside Underground Scholars Program

Position Information

The Director of the Riverside Underground Scholars Program (RUSP) provides assessment, counseling and advice to formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students; refers students to other campus and community resources and organizations; liaises with personnel and students within correctional facilities; builds relationships across campus; leads grant writing efforts for additional funding. The Director works closely with the Underground Scholars Initiative (USI) organization leadership. The salary range for the Director, Riverside Underground Scholars is $68,500 - $121,900 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $78,500 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. **Effective 4/18/2025, 4565/STDT LIFE DEV SPEC 4 job classification is represented by UAW-SSAP. The new title code/description is now 5153/STDT LIFE DEV SPEC 4 SV**

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Requirement

Required

Degree

Master's degree.

Requirement

Preferred

Experience Requirements

Experience

6 - 10 years of related experience.

Requirement

Required

Experience

Experience in developing and implementing internal and external partnerships to improve outcomes and provide high-impact student services related to the recruitment, development, enrichment, inclusion, retention, degree attainment, and enhancement of the student experience of formerly incarcerated students in all disciplines across the campus.

Requirement

Experience

Experience in developing and providing academic, political, and professional workshops and training for members, campus partners and departments to learn how to serve formerly incarcerated and system impacted students.

Requirement

Experience

Experience in developing and submitting workshop and panel proposals for relevant conferences, symposiums, and events.

Requirement

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of Student Affairs/Student Life specialization.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Advanced abilities in project management, problem identification and reasoning skills.
• Advanced ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Empathetic interpersonal skills to advise and mentor student leaders on complex and sensitive issues.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in order to collaborate and partner with multiple campus departments and leadership to address cross-issue social justice, diversity organizing, equity, and inclusion, and grant funding acquisition.
• Knowledge and experience in analyzing complex situations and identifying solutions for problem-solving; skills and experience in developing and administering programs designed to meet the diverse needs of students.
• Extensive knowledge of how to best support, guide, and mentor students leading projects and programs serving formerly incarcerated and system impacted students.
• Knowledge regarding current and new laws and policies pertaining to incarceration, reentry, housing, internships, and career/job access, and financial aid that may impact Underground Scholar students.
• Project management and coordination skills to guide students in their own communications, informational materials, and interactions with campus leaders.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
  
  

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
  
  

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 under state or federal law. 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.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

Generic Scope

Technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas; problem-solving frequently requires analysis of unique issues/problems without precedent and/or structure. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy.

Custom Scope

Utilizing advanced, specialized expertise provides direction and guidance to lower level Student Services professionals in specialized student life and development programs, and resolves the most complex cases/situations; and/or has programmatic responsibility for a discreet complex Student Life & Development function or content area.

Department Custom Scope

The Director of the Riverside Underground Scholars Program (RUSP) provides assessment, counseling and advice to formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students; refers students to other campus and community resources and organizations; liaises with personnel and students within correctional facilities; builds relationships across campus; leads grant writing efforts for additional funding. The Director works closely with the USI organization leadership.