Program Administrator (4722C), African American Studies - #83142

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Departmental Overview

The Department of African American Studies is the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color within and beyond the United States. Since the emergence of African American Studies as an academic field in the late 1960s, scholars have analyzed the ways in which race and racism have been, and continue to be, powerful social, cultural, and political forces and their connections to other axes of stratification, including gender, class, sexuality, and legal status. The Department of African American Studies at UC Berkeley was one of the first in the nation and has produced some of the most dynamic and influential scholarship in the field. Our 11 ladder-rank faculty members utilize a range of humanities and social science methodologies to analyze the production and effects of race and indigeneity. Some of our faculty focus on one racial group and geographic area while others work comparatively and transnationally. Collectively our research and teaching provide a comparative framework for understanding particular racialized and indigenous groups as well as the relationships among them. The Department offers undergraduate majors and minors in African American Studies, as well as a Ph.D. in African Diaspora Studies.

Position Summary

Conducts administrative functions for the African American Studies Department, which is administratively clustered with the Departments of Ethnic Studies and Gender & Women's Studies. Participates in support of, by virtue of offering bluCard back-up support for Ethnic Studies, Gender & Women's Studies and African American Studies departments under the auspices of the A.G.E.S. Cluster. Under the direction of the Director of Administration, oversees and ensures that the daily administrative operations run smoothly, that matters of import to the Department Chair are handled effectively and efficiently, and that front-line, in-person, and hybrid (remote) customer service is provided with excellence. The incumbent also supervises student assistants and serves as supervisor of record. Serves as Event Coordinator for the Department, working with the faculty and staff to synchronize vendors, associated payments/honoraria, presenters, guests, etc. In addition, the incumbent manages the department website.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 12/31/2025. For full consideration, please apply by 01/05/2026.

Responsibilities

Administrative Support & Department Operations

• Conducts and ensures daily administrative operations in the African American Studies Department.
• Provides front-line support and accurate information, to visitors, students, faculty, and staff.
• Function as "gatekeeper", understanding departmental processes in order to respond to issues by priority.
• Provide administrative support to the Chair and Director of Administration in the areas of communications, strategic planning, logistics. Execute special projects for the Chair, as needed.
• Help Chair prepare agenda, documents and calendar invitations for faculty meetings.
• Lead work-study assistants and train them in key departmental functions.
• Prepares correspondence and other written materials for department management and/or faculty requiring some specialized knowledge of the subject matter.
• Edits and proofreads written materials for content consistency.
• Set up mailboxes for faculty and graduate students and assist with onboarding (copy codes, keys, share documents for policies and procedures in AAS).
• Provide copy codes and copy machine assistance and maintenance as necessary.
• Works with department management to update/review/revise websites to better communicate organization's mission, requiring substantive knowledge of organization's goals and objectives.
• Participate in Professional Development and Inclusive activities, as appropriate.

Financial & Procurement Support

• Provide Travel and Entertainment reimbursement related coordination for department faculty, students and guests, as needed.
• Provide African American Studies department specific and AGES Cluster back up for assigned bluCard and EPC Card.
• Coordinate reconciliation to ensure timely posting of credit card expenses to appropriate chartstrings.
• Determine need for event and general office equipment and supplies, procurement/supplies, key access/security & safety, and contingency planning.
• Maintain physical key cabinet and building access data.
• May participate in contract negotiation and the preparation of RFPs requiring some subject matter knowledge of the materials/services.

Event Coordination

• Serve as Event Coordinator for the Department.
• Choreograph events to include facilities, catering, vendors, technical support, communication, and on-site set-up/break down.
• Develop all appropriate communications.

Projects

• Project Management support for the Director of Administration, Graduate Student Affairs Officer (GSAO) and Administrative Supervisor.
• Compiles an array of spreadsheets using subject-matter knowledge of the material to ensure data results are consistent with the nature of the data.
• Applies somewhat complex spreadsheet formulas, google forms and similar functions.

Scheduling and Space Coordination

• Coordinate calendar and room access for shared spaces (conference room usage for special events and department classes).
• Coordinate and post Office Hours for GSIs and Readers in AAS/GWS. Facilities & Logistics
• Organize and schedule office moves and renovations for the department including office space renovation requests and classroom updates.
• Facility service liaison submitting requests for various issues that may arise.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge in administrative procedures and processes including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
• Requires good verbal and written communication skills, active listening, critical thinking, multi-task and time management skills.
• Requires interpersonal and work leadership skills to provide guidance to other nonexempt personnel.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, set priorities, and take initiative in executing tasks with attention and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• High school diploma and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with and/or can quickly learn UC and campus policies.

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 hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $35.05 (Step 7) - $38.36 (Step 11).

• This is a part-time (30 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is a non-exempt, biweekly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Clerical & Allied Services Unit (CX) between the University of California and Teamsters Local 2010. The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/cx/index.html
• 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.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.