Graduate Student Services Advisor, Temporary (5156C) #88489

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Psychology is a large, complex department within the College of Letters and Science (Division of Social Sciences). The Department includes approximately 40 active faculty members, 14 career staff, approximately 3 temporary instructors, a number of visiting scholars and postdocs each year, as well as a large cadre of Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Researchers.

The fundamental missions of the University, teaching, research, and community service, are all met by the Department. Our teaching program is quite large. Psychology is an impacted major with 800 undergraduates, and the Department's courses serve approximately 4,000 students each semester, as well as a large summer session each year. The Department has approximately 120 graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in five specialized sub-fields. In research, the Department supports the work of 35 life science labs in work with both human and animal subjects, as well as an off-site Field Station.

Psychology is closely linked with several major research institutes/ORUs on campus: The Institute of Human Development, the Institute of Personality and Social Research, the Institute of Cognitive and Brain Science, and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, and works in collaboration with their administration to meet the needs of our faculty. Our outpatient clinic serves the surrounding community by providing vital, low-cost psychiatric treatment and functions as a recharge unit.

Administratively, the Department is divided into five interdependent units: Financial Services, Academic/Staff Personnel, Clinic Administration, Technical Support, and Student Services.

Position Summary

The Graduate Student Services Advisor performs a wide range of student services duties and responsibilities for an academic department. This position provides assistance to the Director of Student Services, Department Chair, faculty, and students in academic advising, recruitment, admissions, financial aid, awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, student orientation and events, and related programs. The Graduate Student Services Advisor advises current and prospective graduate students and, as necessary, undergraduate students, about department, campus, and University requirements. This position is responsible for addressing student progress issues and overseeing academic programs and graduate admissions.

Responsibilities

Graduate Program Administration

• Responsible for the overall administration of the department's graduate program. Serves as the primary resource for matters concerning the Graduate Division and departmental regulations and requirements.
• Interprets Graduate Division, department, and university policies as they relate to the graduate program. Identifies program needs and trends, makes recommendations to the Director of Student Services, and implements procedures to ensure consistent adherence to policies, as needed.
• Maintains graduate student records, including student academic progress, academic appointments (GSI, GSR, and reader), and fellowship funding. Provides reports as needed.
• Coordinates the qualifying exam process, dissertation committees, and advancement to candidacy.
• Updates and edits graduate program promotional materials and student handbook.
• Assist with the coordination of the Commencement ceremony and coordinates graduate related departmental events.

Student Advising

• Serves as the primary academic adviser for new and continuing graduate students; closely monitors the progress of each student in the program, identifies problems with students' academic progress and degree requirements, formulates solutions, and refers to the Faculty Advisor, as needed.
• Advises foreign students on visa, funding, and language proficiency exam issues, referring them to other departments as needed.
• Counsels and advises students and faculty on the interpretation and implementation of policy.

Graduate Recruitment and Admissions

• Advises current and prospective applicants on necessary academic preparation as well as appropriateness of the program pertaining to individual goals and interests. Serves as the primary contact for applicants and accepted candidates.
• Manages admissions process in association with Graduate Division.
• Supports the Admissions Committee, advising on the graduate admissions system and policies. Assist faculty in the recruitment of candidates offered admission. Organizes campus visits of potential students.

Financial Support

• Coordinates all departmental fellowship funds, administers block grants, and non-resident tuition waivers. Stays apprised of changes in Graduate Division fellowship policies and communicates pertinent information to the Director of Student Services.
• Recommends, tracks, and monitors allocation of financial aid and fellowship funds.
• Oversees the process for equitable assignment of GSI and reader positions; recruiting potential GSIs from within and outside the department, determining and tracking GSI eligibility, and recommending promotions, proposing GSI assignments, and making recommendations for additional course staffing needs.

Professional Development

• Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at training sessions, seminars, and conferences, and participation in campus-wide events and professional organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs (or comparable institutional systems); excellent computer skills to work in Word, Excel, Drupal, and other web-based systems.
• Ability to work with Slate, CalCentral, Campus Solutions, ACG Psychology database, and other student services programs, or comparable systems.
• Knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences, or comparable institutional knowledge.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem-solving, identifying measures of system performance, and the actions to improve performance.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to organize conceptually and spatially, prioritize responsibilities, and multitask.
• Demonstrated reliability, including the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work independently.
• Must have a proven track record of making positive contributions to work environments.
• Interpersonal skills, including effective verbal and written communication.
• Multicultural competencies: the ability to work with diverse populations.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

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 annual salary range that the University expects to pay for this position is $64,260.00 - $110,460.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time, Limited (temporary) position through February 5, 2027

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 3 days/week of remote work (within the United States). Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for SV.
• This is a limited appointment to replace an employee on leave, and the automatic conversion to career status after 1,000 hours would not apply.

Conviction History Background

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.

Misconduct

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.