Assistant Director of Student Services (5156) Job #83196 - 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 is a multidisciplinary research and education unit reporting to OVCR. 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 program, one of the most popular minors on the Berkeley campus; a graduate PhD minor in Development Engineering, the first in the nation; the Big Ideas Contest, the University of California's premier social entrepreneurship catalyst serving thousands of students across 10 campuses; and a Master of Development Engineering, UC Berkeley's first professional degree committed to solving complex global challenges across the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.

This position involves a wide range of student services duties and responsibilities for programs at the Blum Center for Developing Economies -- the undergraduate Global Poverty & Practice Minor, the Designated Emphasis in Development Engineering, and the Master of Development Engineering. It assists students and faculty in academic advising, recruitment, admissions, financial aid, visa/immigration matters, the evaluation and awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, student orientation and events, career counseling, and related programs.

The First Review Date for this job is: January 5, 2026 - Open until filled

30% Academic Advising:

Advises faculty on departmental and university policies and procedures; Serves as the Graduate Student Advisor, ensuring DevEng students are on track and understand what is required in the program; Identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions. Provides advising to GPP Minor students on academic progress, program requirements, and identification of suitable volunteer and internship experiences. Advises faculty and staff leadership on relevant departmental / school/college and university policies and procedures; Coordinates with the faculty advising committee to set up faculty advising times. In collaboration with the DevEng Program Director, coordinates the student capstone project administration, including: organizing the matching process between students and faculty advisors; 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.

20% 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 (Including InFEWS and DToD concentrations), M.DevEng, and GPP Minor, including day-to-day activities and events throughout the duration of the year. Provide strategic support and thought leadership to improve infrastructure, systems, and processes for all programs.

20% Outreach, Recruitment, and Admissions:

Coordinate with the Blum Center communications team to develop effective outreach channels and a marketing campaign to publicize the GPP Minor and DevEng across campus and beyond. Increase visibility of DevEng and the GPP Minor, as well as specific students and student innovation projects, by coordinating select communications activities, including: Contributing to the maintenance of the GPP Minor and DevEng website; ensuring regular posts to social media; Curating content for the weekly e-mail newsletter with relevant resources, events, and opportunities for students.

Advises prospective DevEng applicants on necessary academic preparation and appropriateness of the program as it pertains to their goals. In collaboration with the Program Director and Outreach and Marketing Manager, participates in external outreach for the MDevEng program, including travel to 1-2 recruiting events per year, and supports coordination of yield strategies for admitted students.

15% Events:

Plans and implements complex, high-visibility student events, such as new student orientations. Event management: Communicate with speakers regarding event logistics; manage RSVPs, collaborate with staff, Building Services as necessary; arrange catering services. Requires occasional evenings and weekends.

5% Manage and maintain student and alumni records on the campus's Student Information System (SIS) and internal Salesforce database.

5% Supervise 1-2 student assistants and co-supervise 6-8 student Peer Advisors.

5% Support occasional other initiatives at the Blum Center.

• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• 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.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills with faculty, staff, students, and colleagues.
• Multicultural competencies: ability to work with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of complex U.S. visa and immigration procedures, compliance issues, and employment eligibility/authorization for international students and scholars.
• 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 $62,000 - $87,000.

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.