Academic Operations Coordinator
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Job Summary
The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering encourages applications for the Academic Operations Coordinator! This position is responsible for managing and optimizing course scheduling and academic program logistics for the department. The primary responsibilities are to coordinate with faculty and advisors to maintain and update the curriculum, develop and implement each semester’s course schedule including inputting it into the centralized course scheduling system, and assist with enrollment management and projections. This role will focus heavily on data-driven decision-making, including the analysis of enrollment trends, course demand, and resource planning. The position will also assist with the department’s Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation process and lead the classroom observation/interview program. This role is responsible for maintaining a centralized departmental spreadsheet used by graduate, undergraduate, HR, and finance teams to track course schedules, enrollments, faculty teaching loads, buydown status, CRPT/sabbatical timelines, and classroom observations.
Who We Are
The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering is pioneering scientific breakthroughs, launching innovative technologies and educating creative engineers that will solve today's societal challenges by improving human health, enabling security and promoting sustainability.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Academic Scheduling and Curriculum Operations:
- Collaborate with the Chair, Associate Chairs for Undergraduate Education, Associate Chair for Graduate Education, and advisors to plan each semester and project enrollment numbers, providing data analysis and forecasting models.
- Maintain and update a shared spreadsheet tracking course schedules, enrollments, faculty teaching loads (including buydown information), CRPT and sabbatical dates, and classroom observations/interviews.
- Develop course schedules for the next full academic year and summer terms prioritizing core undergraduate and graduate teaching, full faculty load utilization, consistent faculty course assignments, balanced enrollments, and appropriate remote offerings.
- Serve as the main departmental liaison at campus, college, and department meetings concerning academic scheduling and registration. Keep abreast of changes to the Academic Scheduling process as set forth by the Academic Scheduling unit in the Office of the Registrar.
- Monitor course revision and course proposal process for undergraduate and graduate courses, working closely with the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees, in collaboration with faculty collaborators.
- Collaborate with faculty and department leadership to update the University course catalog annually.
- Work with the Communications and Content Specialist to maintain shared course schedules and website curriculum pages.
- Set up courses in the university course scheduling system for summer, fall, and spring terms, including completing the necessary forms for Academic Scheduling to make schedule adjustments throughout the year. This includes coordinating central room requests through the university system.
- Coordinate with campus and department scheduling contacts, such as ITLL and Idea Forge, to arrange for departmentally-controlled spaces like laboratory space, recitation rooms, and other non-centrally scheduled spaces.
- Collaborate with other departments to avoid scheduling issues for interdisciplinary or cross-departmental classes.
- Initiate continuous reviews and propose improvements to streamline academic scheduling, enrollment management, and instructional support workflows.
- Maintain historical data on classroom usage, courses offered, and other course information; provide analytics and forecasting reports.
- Schedule rooms for ad hoc academic events (review sessions, midterms, course skills, training, etc.) as requested by individual faculty.
- Communicate course schedules and changes with all partners.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of curricular structures, prerequisites, corequisites, and course sequencing to minimize scheduling conflicts.
Enrollment Management and Academic Policy Support:
- Collaborate with advising staff to ensure timely processing of course-related enrollment adjustments, including override and waitlist approvals.
- Adjust student enrollment permissions, add/drop/waitlist status, and prerequisite overrides; respond to enrollment requests from faculty, advisors, and administrators.
- Collaborate on procedures to allow non-majors into major-restricted classes when appropriate.
- Serves as staff liaison to the undergraduate committee, taking on a more strategic and active role in organizing and documenting committee activities, including managing elective course lists, independent study agreements, petition decisions, and collaborating on curriculum planning and improvements.
- Support the Undergraduate Chairs in coordinating Undergraduate Committee meetings, preparing and circulating agendas, and maintain official meeting minutes.
- Track spending and facilitate budget/course funding reviews for undergraduate committee, which includes organizing and collecting funding opportunities (such as EEF proposals).
Instructional and Course Support Operations:
- Coordinate with academic advising and curriculum staff to ensure accurate post-enrollment requirement reporting.
- Compile and maintain a comprehensive database of course syllabi for ABET accreditation and advisor reference.
- Support faculty course interviews including taking notes during interviews, generating reports, and compiling reports in a shared resource for use for teaching improvement and evaluation.
- Review course assistant (CA) hiring forms submitted by faculty, cross-checking them against the department's CA support spreadsheet to ensure alignment with allocated hours. When discrepancies arise, coordinate with department leadership to approve additional hours as needed, ensuring consistent and equitable support.
Department Evaluation, Improvement, & ABET:
- Serves as the ME Faculty Course Questionnaire (FCQ) Coordinator, ensuring proper administration and maintaining online files of FCQ results.
- Provide FCQ data and analysis for faculty evaluations, comprehensive review, promotion, tenure, and annual performance reviews.
- Assist the faculty ABET coordinator with accreditation efforts
- Lead the department's classroom peer observation program, coordinating faculty observations and ensuring effective implementation.
Other:
- Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- Stays apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
- Participates in professional development activities and serves on unit, college or campus committees as applicable.
What You Should Know
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work modality, consistent with the College of Engineering and Applied Science Hybrid Work Policy.
What We Can Offer
The starting salary range for this position is $50,000 - $55,120 annually. Relocation assistance is available within department guidelines.
Benefits
Be Statements
What We Require
- Bachelor's degree.
- One year of experience in academic operations, data management, curriculum coordination, or a related administrative function.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
What You Will Need
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, and formula development.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and provide strategic insights.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Impeccable attention to detail and strong problem solving abilities, including the ability to become a subject matter expert through proactive learning.
- Ability to collect, present, and explain data and processes clearly to faculty, staff, and students.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with the ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
What We Would Like You to Have
- One year of related experience working in higher education.
- Three to five years of experience working in academic scheduling, enrollment management, or curriculum support.
- Experience using university student information system (CU-SIS), course scheduling software (CLSS), and data analysis tools.
Special Instructions
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that describes how your background and experience align with this position.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu