Assistant Director of Student Services (5156) Job #86715 - The Blum Center for Developing Economies (Blum)

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The Blum Center for Developing Economies is a multidisciplinary research and education unit reporting to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. The Center leverages the talent, enthusiasm, and energy of the University of California, Berkeley community to address problems in low-resource areas. Our interdisciplinary problem-solving approach draws on students and faculty dedicated to facing this challenge through innovative initiatives, education, and research.

The Blum Center houses an undergraduate minor in Global Poverty & Practice (GPP); a PhD Designated Emphasis in Development Engineering; the Big Ideas Contest, the University of California's premier social entrepreneurship catalyst; and a Master of Development Engineering (MDevEng), UC Berkeley's first professional degree committed to solving complex global challenges across the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.

Supporting roughly 60 graduate and 100 undergraduate students each year, this position manages a comprehensive range of student services duties. This role is vital in providing a highly supportive, personalized experience for students from their initial recruitment all the way through to graduation.

The First Review Date for this job is: June 19, 2026 - Open until filled

30% Program Management:

• Applying professional student services concepts, provides the full range of student services to the student population served by the organization. Supports program management for the Development Engineering Designated Emphasis, MDevEng program, and GPP Minor, including day-to-day activities and events throughout the duration of the year.
• Plans, implements, and manages student events, such as new student orientations and workshops. Coordinates with staff and faculty, communicates with Building Services as necessary, invites attendees, and arranges catering. Requires occasional evenings and weekends.
• In collaboration with the DevEng Program Director, coordinates the MDevEng student capstone project administration, including facilitating communication and alignment of capstone expectations, assisting in addressing student and faculty questions, and organizing the end-of-semester capstone oral exam and presentation event.
• Provide strategic support and thought leadership to improve infrastructure, systems, and processes for all programs.

30% Academic Advising:

• Advises DevEng and GPP Minor students on program requirements, course selection, and academic progress.
• Guides GPP Minor students on the identification of suitable volunteer and internship experiences.
• Ensure students are on track with their academic plans, identify students with progression problems, and recommend interventions.
• Coordinates with the DevEng faculty advising committee to set up faculty advising times. Shares relevant resources, events, and opportunities with students

20% Outreach, Recruitment, and Admissions:

• Coordinate with the Blum Center communications team to support outreach to increase visibility of the GPP Minor and DevEng across campus and beyond.
• Identify compelling student stories for the Blum Center communications team to share with a broad audience
• In collaboration with the Program Director and Outreach Manager, participate in external outreach for the MDevEng program, including travel to 1-2 recruiting events per year, and support coordination of yield strategies for admitted students.
• Advises prospective DevEng applicants on necessary academic preparation and alignment with program goals.

10% Supervise 1-2 student assistants and co-supervise 6-8 student Peer Advisors.

5% Support Director of Student Programs and DevEng Program Director with managing and maintaining student and alumni records on the campus's Student Information System (SIS) and internal Salesforce database.

5% Support occasional other initiatives at the Blum Center.

• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience working with University-specific computer application programs such as Campus Solutions and/or other course management systems (e.g., Canvas, Google Suite, etc.). Knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills with faculty, staff, students, and colleagues.
• Multicultural competencies: ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem-solving, and identifying measures of the system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage and address student concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Knowledge of complex U.S. visa and immigration procedures, compliance issues, and employment eligibility/authorization for international students and scholars.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (including Adobe InDesign and Photoshop).
• Master's degree in related areas and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience using Salesforce and email marketing systems (e.g., Constant Contact, Mailchimp).

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $65,000 - $90,000.

This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for RP or SV.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.