Graduate Program Specialist

Although open until filled, priority application date is May 19, 2024.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Graduate Program Specialists (Counseling Services Coordinator (E S 8)) are essential to providing leadership and vision in support of the law school's mission to prepare students for the challenge of practice in a global society. The Graduate Program Specialist's primary responsibility is to provide direct academic counseling to students and deliver programs to promote student life. Reporting to the Executive Director of Graduate Education, the Graduate Program Specialist provides advising, curriculum planning, budget planning, event planning, and outreach for the School of Law's graduate programs, centers, and institutes. This position acts a liaison between students and program faculty. The Graduate Program Specialist represents the School of Law's graduate programs, centers, and institutes across the UW campus and with external constituencies.

This position requires the ability to take initiative and use independent judgement to make decisions with respect to the various programs. The Graduate Program Specialist works as part of team to carry out decisions relating to the graduate programs, centers, and institutes. The Graduate Program Specialist is required to oversee event logistics, oversee program webpages, and assist with recruitment as necessary. This requires specialized knowledge about unique program requirements for admissions and graduation, requirements for international students, and University policies.

The School of Law graduate programs are a complex enterprise that draw diverse students from around the globe. The Graduate Program Specialist plays an integral role in creating a positive experience for our current and prospective students and developing strategic partnerships with professional legal community at the local and national level. The centers and institutes host several conferences and events that influence the law school's reputation within the Washington legal community, the national and international legal and scholarly communities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Advising: (40%)

Respond to inquiries during the admissions process and on-boarding of successful applicants. Coordinate with other UW Law staff members who work on graduate program admissions. Review admission applications and, together with Executive Director for Graduate Education, staff, and faculty, recommend admission of potential students. Assist in the development and implementation of student scholarship strategies.

Advise prospective and current students in relation to course selection, planning, and enrollment to assist them in designing their individual courses of study. Assist students with course registration. Provide career advising, help students with identifying and securing externships and internships.

Verify that students are meeting degree requirements and assist the Executive Director by monitoring and tracking student progress. Alert the Executive Director to issues of concern.

Serve as a point of contact for LL.M. and Ph.D. students in student life-related matters; assist in selection of awards and scholarships for students.

Graduate Program Administration: (20%)

Develop goals and policies, modify existing programs, develop future programs, and promote growth for the graduate programs over time.

Further Program's job placement capabilities and marketing strategies, including communicate with law firms, accounting firms, corporations, and other organizations regarding placement, on-campus interviewing, information sessions, and networking.

Assist the Executive Director and faculty directors in curriculum planning and implementation, including communication with part-time affiliates.

Collaborate and coordinate with graduate program faculty and UW Law staff to administer and advance the strategic goals of the graduate programs, centers, and institutes. Represent the mission and objectives of the graduate programs within and outside the UW community.

Event Programming (20%)

Manage and coordinate academic conferences, including speaker events.

Work with other graduate program staff to plan and execute orientation for incoming graduate students. Assist with graduation-related activities, including end of year celebration and commencement exercises.

Other duties assigned (20%)

Support USPTO-UW ELC trademark and patent clinics year-round, including trademark and patent docketing and student advising.

Support Washington Patent Pro Bono Network year-round, including working with Washington inventors and volunteer patent attorneys on pro bono services and patent applications. Collect and screen Network inventor applications, conduct interviewing and matching clients with attorneys. Serve as a primary point of contact for the USPTO Office Enrolment and Discipline and the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Team. Prepare and submit annual and quarterly reports.

Serve as an UW Law School liaison for the Seattle IP Inn of Court and provide administrative support to the Board and members.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

LL.M. degree or JD with an Intellectual Property/Technology Law focus.

2-3 years experience providing direct support to students in a higher education setting.

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 providing program management.

Demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity, ability and success in working with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Ability to work independently and under pressure of frequent deadlines in fast-paced and changing environment.

Ability to build relationships and connect students with available resources to promote success.

Excellent oral and written communications skills, as well as experience using Microsoft Office suite.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with international students.

Knowledge of the domestic employment marketplace with respect to opportunities for non-JD students seeking positions with legal dimensions.

Application Process: The application process 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 access 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.