Director of Student Services (5157C), Rausser College of Natural Resources #86543 About Berkeley
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Departmental Overview
UC Berkeley Rausser College of Natural Resources embraces the University of California's public mission, serving the people of California, our nation, and the world. We conduct fundamental and applied research in the biological, physical, and social sciences. We train and educate future leaders and scholars, and engage with public and private partners to meet the pressing social and environmental challenges of our time. Through our research, teaching, and outreach, we seek equitable, scalable, and innovative solutions that address the climate crisis, promote ecological and economic sustainability, and improve human health and well-being.
The Master of Climate Solutions (MCS) at the Rausser College is designed with a relentless focus on identifying the skills and experiences professionals need to accelerate their careers and maximize the impact they have on our planet. This one-year professional program translates fundamental science and groundbreaking discoveries, enabling professionals to learn how to evaluate technologies, develop just climate strategies, and remove barriers to implementing practical climate solutions around the world.
Position Summary
Involves a wide range of student services duties and responsibilities for an academic department/school/college or organization. Provides assistance to the Head Graduate Advisor (HGA), Executive Director, dean/department chair, faculty, and students in academic advising, recruitment, admissions, employment policy, labor relations, curriculum support, visa matters, financial aid, the evaluation and awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, student orientation and events, career counseling, and related programs.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is June 15, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS
Coordinates and tracks the graduate admissions process.
Advises and supports the departments Admissions Committee.
Advises prospective applicants on necessary academic preparation and appropriateness of program as it pertains to the prospective applicant's goals.
Reviews domestic and international transcripts, evaluates eligibility, and ensures application completeness via the online application system.
Plans and organizes student recruitment visits to campus in early spring and orientation for new students in August.
May travel to participate in recruiting events.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT
Under the supervision of the Executive Director and the program leadership team, provides oversight for the day-to-day administration, including team coordination, and makes recommendations for the improvement of department/college policies.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the student services function and makes changes to the program to provide better service to students, faculty, and program leadership.
Recognizes issues that have impact/implications and advises accordingly.
Advises chair/dean on the formulation of department/college policy on areas needing clarification and identifying solutions; analyzes the consequences of organization's academic policies: recommends new or changed policies; and recommends solutions to organization's problems without precedent.
Represents the student services unit to the campus community and relevant external constituencies.
HIRING, SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS for Academic Student Employees (ASE)/Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)
Leads process for recruiting, hiring, and assigning ASEs (Graduate Student Instructors (GSI), Undergraduate Student Instructors (UGSI) & Readers)/GSRs for Fall, Spring and Summer.
Provides direction and guidance on a wide range of ASE/GSR matters.
Advises ASEs and instructors on job and workload expectations, appointment eligibility, and fee remission benefits.
Works with the Graduate Affairs Committee to develop and oversee processes for equitable assignments.
Maintains current knowledge of Graduate Division, Biological, Environmental, Science, and Technology (BEST) Region, and United Auto Workers Union (UAW) employment and appointment policies.
Stays up to date on current union contract policies, including fee remission benefits.
Oversees appointments exceptions process; submits exception requests to the Graduate Division.
Ensures GSI compliance with first time requirements, including language requirement.
Serves as the first point of contact with BEST Region staff to hire all academic student employees.
Partners with BEST Region staff to ensure compliance and timely payment of ASEs/GSRs.
In conjunction with the Graduate Affairs Committee, addresses any ASE/GSR performance issues that may arise and resolves intricate student employee issues/grievances such as union workload and leave issues; escalates cases to the Department Chair as necessary.
Manages GSI evaluation process and regularly reviews GSI evaluations to identify potential problems; outreach to students who may need additional support.
Coordinates and makes recommendations for the Outstanding GSI Award nomination.
Ensures the student handbook is up to date.
FUNDING/FINANCIAL AID
Recommends resolution of extremely sensitive, specialized, and complex financial aid issues; and administers departments block grants and restricted funds.
Advises department's management on available funds for entering students based upon special funding from all sources; makes recommendations regarding resource allocation.
Maintains current knowledge of Graduate Division and departmental requirements, policies, and procedures relative to graduate student funding, including the administration of student financial awards, scholarships, fellowships, and block grants.
Tracks all sources of available graduate student funding and investigates new sources of funding.
Compiles and processes official documents necessary for the initiation, continuation, and administration of all financial awards.
Maintains complex spreadsheets to track student funding commitments and payments (including summer funding).
Works with Financial Analyst and BEST Region staff to reconcile expenses and ensure that graduate students funding is administered accurately.
Advises students on financial aid options on campus and extramural fellowship opportunities; crafts clear communications to convey funding information to students.
Works with the Fellowships Office and the Berkeley International Office to resolve funding issues for domestic and international students.
Manages all current and new departmental and college funding applications, including for summer grants, travel grants, and fellowships.
Manages gift reporting to College Relations and University Development and Alumni Relations.
Provides pertinent information to College Relations for stewardship needs.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Serves as the sole graduate student advisor for the department; interprets and applies advanced student services concepts; using professional judgment and expertise, provides the most complex student services to the department's leadership, faculty, and students (both new and continuing).
Provides extensive advising and guidance on complicated student and program-related issues which do not fall within clearly defined guidelines.
Identifies and refers for resolution of intricate student issues/grievances such as alleged discrimination, complex grade disputes, student conduct issues, and students' personal crises.
Reviews students progress and identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions.
Recommends petition exceptions that affect the requirements of multiple departments.
Advises students and faculty on department/college/university policies and procedures, including requirements for degree/program completion and eligibility requirements for fellowships/scholarships.
Includes advising international students and the extra complexities that affect immigrant and non-immigrant students; liaises with the Berkeley International Office (BIO) to maintain current knowledge of visa and immigration policies and procedures; interprets UC and government regulatory requirements.
Works with BIO to maintain employment compliance for international students off-campus employment opportunities.
CURRICULUM PLANNING & SUPPORT
Evaluates course support needs and proposes staffing solutions to faculty leadership.
Assists faculty with Disabled Students Program (DSP) accommodations.
Manages graduate course scheduling and assists with curriculum planning in collaboration with the chair, faculty, and other departments as necessary, to ensure students' progress through course sequences, avoiding conflicts, and ensuring compliance with campus-wide policies.
Manages course evaluation process and regularly reviews evaluations to identify potential problems; escalates issues to the Graduate Affairs Committee and/or Department Chair as necessary.
Coordinates exams.
Facilitates new course approval and course modifications.
EVENTS
Plans, organizes, and manages high-visibility student events such as visit day, new student orientation, and the departmental commencement.
Organizes events that build and enhance the graduate student community such as cohort-specific orientations that provide updates about the phases of the program, graduate student town halls/forums, end-of-year parties, and workshops.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Attends workshops/seminars and/or completes training/courses to keep up to date on national student advising issues, trends, and best practices as well as university policies and procedures.
Participates in student services committees or department/college/university committees that develop impactful and relevant policies/procedures.
Required Qualifications
Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of and/or ability to learn University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
Must possess advanced verbal and written communication skills, along with strong interpersonal skills.
Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
Advanced knowledge of complex visa and immigration policies, procedures and regulatory requirements for international students and scholars.
Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuasion, leadership.
Skills in monitoring / assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.
Skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Education / Training
Bachelor's degree in 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 budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,600.00 - $115,000.00. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position. This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for full UC benefits.
