Department Description
Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising (UAA Advising) is a centralized advising office that serves all new and current pre-major UW Seattle students, returning UW students, and prospective transfer students. As educators, advisers guide and support students in exploring, questioning, and navigating the events and significance of their undergraduate education.
At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives and strive to create an inclusive learning environment with students.
Position Description
Under the guidance of UAA Academic Advisers, Peer Advisers will have the following responsibilities:
- Provide one-on-one drop-in advising to undergraduate students at UW Seattle
- Manage the office’s high-volume email account, responding to and fielding questions from current and prospective students
- Help students navigate and gain awareness and understanding of UW registration policies, general degree requirements, and the Areas of Inquiry
- Guide students in accessing the many academic resources available at the UW such as MyPlan, DARS, and Academic Support Programs
- Support students with course scheduling and registration
- Provide appropriate referrals to departmental advisers and campus offices (such as Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, LiveWell, etc.)
- Learn, understand, and interpret Federal, State, and University rules and regulations
- Complete administrative responsibilities including the creation of marketing materials, presentations, and data entry
- Special projects as assigned
Pay rate: Hourly Wage: $20.76 per hour
Hours: Average of 6 – 10 hours per week
- Peer Advisers will each work an average of 6 – 10 hours per week with a weekly 30-60 minute staff meeting.
- Higher volume times such as registration periods may require 10-15 hours per week.
- Schedules will vary from quarter to quarter based upon availability and class schedule.
- Schedules are provided at the start of each quarter.
Work location: Mary Gates Hall 141
Supervised by: Alex Plant, Lead Academic Adviser
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
The University of Washington prohibits sex discrimination and sex-based harassment in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns, make complaints, or direct inquiries to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at: uw.edu/titleix/title-ix-notice/.
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or dso@uw.edu.
DATES & COMMITMENTS
Paid employment term: April 7, 2025 – June 12, 2026
Spring Quarter 2025
Mandatory Staff Training (in person, on campus)
Mondays 2:30-4:20, starting April 7, 2025
September 15-19, 2025
Mandatory Staff Training and Shadowing (in person, on campus)
Monday & Tuesday: 9 AM – 5 PM, Wednesday – Friday: shadowing hours will vary
September 22, 2025: Advising Start Date
Possible Summer Hours
June 16 – September 12, 2025 (Subject to office staffing needs)
Potential Summer Advising & Orientation Support
10 AM – 4 PM, up to 6 hours daily
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
- Degree-seeking undergraduate student at the UW Seattle campus who is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per quarter in Autumn 2025 and Winter 2026
- To be eligible for paid Spring training, students must also be enrolled in at least 6 credits during Spring 2025
- Students applying for this role through Work Study must be enrolled full time in Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills applied in-person and in professional writing
- Highly motivated and proven ability to work independently
- Experience working with diverse populations of students, staff, and faculty
- Capacity for discretion, diplomacy, and privacy regarding sensitive student matters and protected information
- Genuine interest in working with and helping fellow students
- Good academic standing with at least a 2.7 GPA
- Completion of two quarters at the UW prior to start date (Autumn Quarter 2025)
Desired Qualifications
- Prior experience in similar or related activities (e.g., Orientation Leader, Resident Advisor, CUADSS Student Associate, Student Government/Club Executive Officer, work with young adults, or other Peer Advising positions)
- Experience facilitating workshops or giving group presentations
- Pattern of excellent attendance, reliability, and punctuality in prior positions
- Completion of six quarters at the UW prior to start date (Autumn Quarter 2025)
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
January 26: Application submission deadline
Completed applications are due by Sunday, January 26 at 11:59 p.m. PST via online submission. Applications consist of an online form and four short response questions. Late applications for any reason will not be considered.
Early February: Invitation to interview
You can expect an email to your @uw.edu email regarding the status of your application.
February 11-February 20: Individual interviews in MGH 141
Early March: Peer Adviser offers
After individual interviews are finished, you will receive an email to your @uw.edu account regarding the status of your application.
If offered the role, you will have around one week to accept the offer.
Application questions
- What about your previous work or volunteer experience is most relevant to the Peer Adviser position? Please provide an example of how your prior experiences prepared you to be a successful peer adviser. Max 500 words
- HINT: This can be any work or volunteer experience (child care, retail, clubs, etc.) and does not need to be directly related to academic peer advising.
- What motivated you to apply to the peer adviser position? What do you hope to learn or gain from this experience? Max 300 words.
- As a Peer Adviser, you will work with students from a diverse set of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. (For example, First Generation, international, low income, veterans, non-traditionally aged students, etc.). Tell us about a time that you interacted with a group who was different from you in some way. What did that experience teach you or what approach did you take? Why is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) important to you, and how will your understanding of DEI inform your approach as a Peer Adviser? Max 300 words.
- Peer Advisers are responsible for managing the main UAA Advising email account and responding to student concerns in a timely, professional manner. Please draft a response to the sample email below. Be sure to include a greeting, an email signature that identifies you as a Peer Adviser, and a response of no more than 300 words.
Dear Peer Adviser,
I am really struggling in my Math 124 class right now and at a loss of what to do. I’m worried getting a low grade in the course will hurt my chances of getting into my major. I’d really like to come talk to someone soon. How can I do that? Can you also help me find information about when the last day to S/NS the course is?
Thanks,
Amaya
APPLY ONLINE: UW Undergraduate Advising: Peer Advisers
