The Program Coordinator plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive administrative support for the undergraduate concentration in Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB), within the Life Sciences Cluster supervised by the Science Education Office. This role is central in coordinating the undergraduate curriculum, facilitating event planning, managing student life and community interactions, and handling digital and database responsibilities. This role offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to our dynamic and forward-thinking academic environment.
Reports to the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies for Human Evolutionary Biology. Works closely with the Director of Administration in HEB and other HEB faculty and staff. Collaborates with other members of the Life Sciences Concentration Cluster and Science Education office to build a sense of community in the department and across the Division of Science.
Position Description
Coordinates the undergraduate curriculum in HEB:
Works with the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies (ADUS) and HEB administration to coordinate and support all aspects of the HEB undergraduate curriculum and teaching.
Keeps current on undergraduate policies, regulations, guidelines; as subject matter expert, advises department members, faculty, teaching staff and students.
Meets regularly and collaborates with other HEB administrative staff to support teaching-related course needs.
Enters and updates the course catalog and classroom information, coordinating with faculty, the Registrar's Office, and other HEB department administrators.
Coordinates employment of undergraduate students with other HEB administrators and ADUS.
Develops and manages data and reporting systems using various computer software programs to prepare reports on undergraduate enrollment, faculty teaching, course evaluations, as necessary.
Helps to evaluate undergraduate curricular policies and processes and provides recommendations for improvement to ADUS.
Event Planning and Management:
Plans, organizes and oversees events for undergraduates, such as those for advising, thesis talks, or receptions.
Coordinates programming and events for undergraduate concentrators in HEB.
Negotiates with hotels, caterers, and other vendors.
Oversees budget for HEB undergraduate events, including endowed lecture series. Makes decisions on expenditures and monitors towards this defined budget.
HEB Student Life and Community:
Serves as the primary advisor for the HEB Student Club and manages financial aspects of the club.
Coordinates course-specific events such as group study sessions in partnership with course instructors.
Maintains contact list of alumni and organizes post-grad informational sessions for current students with support from the ADUS.
Meetings with Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Serves as primary administrative contact for students, faculty, and staff for the HEB concentration and questions about undergraduate academic requirements.
Holds regular office hours to answer questions on issues such as progress toward degree and how to fulfill HEB curriculum requirements.
Supports ADUS in advising undergraduates as needed (organizing paperwork, scheduling appointments, preparing communications, etc.).
Database, Web, and Social Media:
Develops and maintains electronic database for student files and tracks progress toward the degree, including concentration requirements.
Performs regular and required data analyses derived from student database. Prepares reports for faculty and administrative leaders.
Uses HEB social media accounts to promote undergraduate-focused events and information.
Works with ADUS and HEB administration to maintain HEB-related online presence, such as departmental and College-wide websites.
Updates department websites with relevant information for undergraduate concentrators. Ensures that information on the website and other College websites are consistent with HEB online information.
Supporting broader efforts in the Science Education office:
Collaborates with other Science Education staff to prepare annual budget for HEB events within the overall Science Education budget.
Works with other Science Education staff to plan and manage large events that involve students from multiple undergraduate concentrations including HEB.
Hires and oversees work of temporary support staff and/or student/casual workers to support large events.
Participates in undergraduate advising events to represent HEB and educate undergrads about the concentration.
Basic Qualifications
Five or more years of related experience. Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a work environment of multiple and conflicting priorities.
Anticipates and resolves problems and updates supervisor on status of projects.
Strong computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office preferred.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, flexibility and good judgment important, as well as demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
Commitment to undergraduate education and student life essential; ability to appropriately handle confidential information and to work with diverse constituents required; familiarity and expertise with Harvard University financial and human resources systems important.
Extensive experience with electronic database architecture, management, and analysis required.
Science background helpful but not essential.
Working Conditions
Office. This is a student- and faculty-facing job that requires a significant on-campus presence (typically at least 3-4 days per week, depending on the academic calendar).
Additional Information
We are committed to cultivating not only the diversity of our faculty, staff, and students but also in developing an inclusive culture that is vibrant, engaging and encouraging of innovation as well as intellectual debate. We believe creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace allows employees from all backgrounds and walks of life to achieve their fullest potential. We also believe an inclusive culture is one that accepts, values and views as strength the difference we all bring to the workplace.
We regret that Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship for this position.
All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format
On-Site
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.