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Position Purpose:

The University of Washington’s (UW) Graduate School has an outstanding opportunity for a full-time Curriculum Specialist to join the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) team. The Curriculum Specialist plays a central role in maintaining high quality graduate education at the UW by managing institutional review and approval of new and revised graduate academic programs (graduate degrees, graduate certificates, stacked degrees, concurrent degrees, and other program types) across the three University of Washington (UW) campuses. This position serves as a curriculum content expert, policy and process expert, and advisor for program proposers and other stakeholders. In this capacity, the specialist engages with deans, directors, chairs, graduate faculty, graduate program staff, administrative staff, and the Graduate School Council.

The Curriculum Specialist reports to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and is a core member of the OAA team. Through close and collaborative working relationships with other units in the Graduate School and throughout the UW, the specialist must understand and navigate complex institutional structures, functioning effectively at the intersection of established university policy and innovations in graduate education. The specialist advises stakeholders on the content and structure of graduate programs through an iterative process of document review and revision. Because academic program structure impacts many other administrative areas of operation, such as requirements around visa and financial aid eligibility, program coding and transcripting, enrollment, and others, the Curriculum Specialist must have a nuanced understanding of the intersection of program structure and administrative implementation.

The Curriculum Specialist supports and develops processes that advance equity, inclusion and justice in graduate education through the program proposal process. In partnership with other units in the Graduate School, the Curriculum Specialist addresses issues pertaining to race, equity, and advances the priority of ameliorating disparities in graduate education, working to create and promote a more mutual, respectful, inclusive and diverse place of learning and excellence. In the execution of this work, the specialist is expected to possess the skills to design, develop, implement, and assess innovative practices to support institution-wide priorities and to drive organizational change within the Graduate School.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the institutional-level curriculum review and approval process for new graduate programs and graduate program change proposals across the three UW campuses (70%).

Serve as a process expert who establishes and manages workflows and documentation to assure consistency, transparency, and equity in the approval processes. Initiate and implement process improvements in this area.

Planning and develop strategies, processes, and resources to guide academic units and leadership as they propose new programs. Manage communication, workflows, and documentation. Represent the Graduate School, Graduate School Dean, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in providing counsel to the staff, faculty, deans, chairs, and directors as they plan for and navigate the proposal process.

Serve as the primary reviewer for the Graduate School, assessing academic program content, structure, and alignment with curricular policy during the iterative review and revision of proposals with proposing faculty, staff, and leaders.

Manage the tri-campus comment process and the external faculty review for all new graduate program proposals.

Bring proposals to the Graduate School Council for consideration, including scheduling and guiding proposer participation, briefing the Associate Dean, and assuring appropriate documentation.

Coordinate with the Office of the Provost regarding Regent action and UW accreditation requirements.

Serve as the Graduate School liaison for UW administrative units regarding implementation of graduate curriculum (20%)

Partner with Graduate School enrollment and IT teams regarding curriculum implementation in Graduate School systems.

Maintain a close working relationship with the Office of the University Registrar to coordinate implementation in university systems such as Curriculum Management, Catalog, Degree Audit Reporting and the Student Database.

Liaise with International Student Services (ISS) and Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) on curriculum-related compliance issues.

Represent the Office of Academic Affairs and Planning and the Graduate School in the area of curriculum and associated policies; serve as a content expert in policy discussions (10%).

Participate on the Graduate School Council Policy Committee and as a member of the Policy, Procedures, and Practices workgroup in the Graduate School.

Develop guidance documents and brief reports for leadership or university stakeholders on emergent curricular topics.

Serve on ad hoc committees to advise on graduate curriculum-related topics and broader trends in graduate education

Lead Responsibilities:
None.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree in related field

At least three years of experience in academic program coordination, curriculum management, or academic policy; or equivalent experience.

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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining complex processes and workflows involving multiple stakeholders and timelines, while assuring consistency and transparency in those processes.

Demonstrated mastery of organizational skills, the ability to communicate multi-dimensional issues clearly and effectively verbally and in writing, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to move projects forward in a timely manner.

Demonstrated experience supporting and developing processes that advance equity, inclusion and justice.

Demonstrated success maintaining close and collaborative professional working relationships in high stakes settings.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively in the face of ambiguity, manage open-ended projects, maintain an openness to new ideas, and facilitate innovation.

Strong evidence of professional integrity and a high degree of discretion and diplomacy.

Ability to maintain a service-oriented approach across all areas of responsibility.

Working Conditions:
This position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule of up to 3 days per week off-campus.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. 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 all required assessments have been completed.