Director of Student Services (0322U) - Civil & Environmental Engineering

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 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at UC Berkeley is a worldwide leader in developing engineering solutions to societal-scale challenges. Berkeley CEE conducts cutting-edge research in evolving and vital areas that address societal needs for well-designed and well-operated buildings, energy, transportation, and water systems. These critical systems must be reliable and resilient in the face of hazards such as earthquakes and flooding. Extensive efforts will be needed to adapt civil infrastructure to withstand adverse changes in weather and climate. Our research and teaching serve the needs of a growing and increasingly urban world population that requires sustainable improvements in standards of living.

Berkeley CEE research establishes and advances the intellectual foundations of new fields of study. We develop theory and improve understanding, and provide tools and techniques for solving important new problems. The educational activities of Berkeley CEE focus on developing future leaders in the engineering profession, in academia, and in the broader societal context. Through individual and collective efforts, Berkeley CEE serves the needs of our College and University and provides technical expertise and service to other public, private, and professional entities.

Berkeley CEE is a place of intellectual vitality and diversity in which all students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity and the impetus to achieve their highest potential. Signs of this vitality and diversity are seen in innovative research conducted by students and faculty; creative, flexible, adaptable, and forward-looking curricula; outstanding classroom teaching; attentive academic mentoring; and a shared sense of a community that is inclusive and respectful of all members. We are proud of our contributions to the public mission of the University of California, as demonstrated, for example, by our role in providing access to higher education for students from low and middle-income families.

The Director of Student Services position involves a wide range of student services duties and responsibilities for an academic department / school / college or organization. Responsibilities include providing assistance to the dean / chair, faculty, and students 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: December 10, 2025 - Open Until Filled

30% Program Planning and Management: Holds full functional accountability for Department's graduate and undergraduate student services programs. Independently manages the administration and operation of Department's Student Services Unit and has broad authority and oversight responsibility in related matters, including academic advising, career counseling, recruitment, admissions financial aid, the evaluation and awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, student orientations and events (e.g., Commencement, CalSo, CalDay, Graduate Preview Day, etc.), curriculum planning and scheduling, enrollment management, instructional support (GSI & Readers), and other related programs. Leads analysis, forecasting, and strategic efforts as they relate to student services, and builds and maintains the administrative and organizational capacity of the Department's Student Services Unit. Evaluates the effectiveness of the student services function, and makes changes to the program to provide better service to organizational management, faculty, and students. Responsible for conceptualizing, developing, implementing, assessing and managing student support service models that promote students' academic success. Develops and modifies programs, methods of advising and procedures in student services to integrate University and department directives within Student Services. Develops, interprets, and administers student services programs. Researches and facilitates implementation of technologies, including database and web-based systems to enhance the delivery of programs and services. Participates in Department, College, and campus taskforces and committees and serves as the primary department administrative representative on all matters related to student services. Incumbent assists those requesting assistance in finding and receiving financial aid. Manages the registration process, including SIS, Cal Central add/drop processes and pre-registration advising. Ensures that students are informed of deadlines and details of registration, course changes, and international exchange opportunities; assists international students in adjusting to life within the department. Advises the Berkeley International Office (BIO) on financial issues regarding CEE international students. Advises the faculty and the Engineering Research Support Organization (ERSO) on Graduate Division and Departmental policies affecting CEE students employed on faculty research grants. Oversees all professional staff, practices, and procedures relating to students' progress in B.S., Professional M.S., Ph.D., Professional M.Eng degree programs, and Development Engineering certificate from admission through graduation. Incumbent has full responsibility for implementing and coordinating programs at all levels of study, including establishing of administrative procedures and negotiating with the Berkeley Graduate Division, International Office, and Registrar to insure consistency with University, System-wide and Homeland Security policy. Assesses administrative problems that may arise affecting staff or students, investigates alternatives, devises and implements solutions. Interfaces with campus offices to determine approaches to resolving problematic student issues. Applies high-level knowledge of student services administration and innovative problem-solving skills. Provides direction to professional Student Services Advisors, Department Chair, Vice-Chairs, Equity Advisor, Faculty, and Director of Operations on the more complex issues encountered. In accordance with Departmental, University and College policies, and in compliance with the ADA, conceptualize, develop, and implement student support service models that promote students' academic success. Assesses overall student services' needs, plans appropriate responses. Creates models and "grows" the new programs, ultimately institutionalizing and delegating their ongoing operation as appropriate.

20% Supervision and Staff Management: Directs and supervises 2 career staff advisors (SSA 4 and SSA 3), 1 communications staff, 1 admissions staff (ARS 2), and 1 work study (AA 2). Actively promotes professionalism and career development and facilitates a collaborative, team approach within the Student Services Unit.Provides direction to professional student services staff on the more complex issues encountered and ensures Advisors are upholding college, university and department policies and following appropriate procedures. Sets priorities for the unit, directs work flow, and evaluates performance. Evaluates and develops new procedures for greater accuracy and efficiency in pursuit of Student Services Unit priorities. Ensures effective cross-training and reallocates responsibilities and tasks as needed. Communicates regularly with staff to ensure implementation of team initiatives and projects. Trains staff on new and established policies and procedures.Develops staff job descriptions, recruits, hires, trains, and develops staff resources and talent. Makes decisions on performance, salary actions, and other human resources related issues of managed staff. Completes yearly performance evaluations and is responsible for resolution of personnel issues or actions, in compliance with applicable campus human resource policies and procedures.Recognizes issues that have campus impact or future implications and advises the managed employees accordingly.Provides guidance and mentoring to Student Services Advisors. Decides which resources will be committed to goals and objectives and how they will be allocated.

20% Financial Oversight/Administration: Manages and administers a combined budget of approximately $2 million of block grant CEE endowment funds. Informs students of awards and track award histories. Ensures all awards meet the funding terms. Assumes primary responsibility for the CEE Department's Temporary Academic Salaries (TAS) budget, which totals over $2 million per year. Provides analysis of these resources for maximum efficiency of utilization. Makes frequent and timely reports to the Department's Vice-Chairs. Tracks award histories and monitor all student-services-related funds throughout the year. Oversees funding packages for admission offers and diversity recruitment.Responsible for all aspects of graduate fellowships (internal and external). Coordinates financial support to graduate students meeting departmental commitments. Oversees the administration and coordination of internal and external undergraduate scholarship competitions. Responsible for compiling information for various surveys, including donor reports. Miscellaneous special projects

15% Academic Advising: Serves as the primary advising resource for Department faculty and staff in relation to complex problems involving graduate and undergraduate students. Uses in-depth knowledge and expertise in student affairs to devise solutions that meet individual needs as well as University policies and regulations. Provide students and faculty advisors with specialized information and explanations regarding Department, College and University policies and procedures relevant to course enrollment, grading policies and disputes, and academic requirements. Ensure continuity and consistency of applied policy through transitional periods, e.g., changes in structure of major program, etc. Advise Vice Chairs (Graduate, Undergraduate and Equity) and the Chair of any changes or exceptions to College and University policies.Acts as liaison among students, faculty, other departments and College and campus administrators in both daily operations and highly sensitive advising situations. Provides direction and guidance to faculty on issues of academic misconduct and grievances. Develops and implements services to enhance Department's outreach to underrepresented students. Oversee and manage progress of graduate student affairs in the seven different graduate programs within CEE, exercising judgment in the interpretation and enforcement of policies and procedures of the Department, Graduate Division and Registrar. Interpret Graduate Division policy on all matters of matriculation. Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of seven areas of research emphasis in order to advise students appropriately. Compose memos for exceptions. Advise international students and faculty on departmental, College and University policies on: Homeland Security regulations, visa issues, on and off campus employment, financing, Glacier registration, and other disputes

15% Admissions and Recruitment: Review policy and procedures on graduate admission for seven graduate programs within the Department for compliance with University standards. During the graduate admissions cycle, oversee graduate admissions for seven programs involving approximately 1100 graduate applications. Correspond with prospective students who have complex questions, interpreting University/Department and international standards. Oversee applicant evaluation and processing, including authenticating documents, compliance with University policy and departmental standards.Monitor needs of the faculty regarding College Admissions database and departmental funding database and develop resolutions to complex problems involving different Department, College and Graduate Division units. Develop and initiate new procedures to improve efficiency and scope of services. Identify problems with current procedures and combine efforts with other campus departments and the Graduate Division to resolve those issues. Identify outstanding, diverse candidates in the seven graduate programs for recruitment. Prepare fellowship cases for Graduate Division. Oversee transmittal of all decisions to Graduate Division.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques and demonstrated successful experience advising faculty on complex student affairs policies, both at the graduate and undergraduate level.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with Department, College and campus degree requirements as well as policies and procedures related to student services such as code of conduct, HEERA, FERPA, Graduate Division policies and procedures. Ability to interpret and implement new and established policies to ensure department compliance.
• Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs such as CalCentral, Campus Solutions or similar and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences. Excellent computer skills in MS Office, Excel as well as an in-depth understanding of student information systems.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervision experience within a complex student services unit. Proven managerial, administrative, and promotional experience with graduate and undergraduate student services.
• Skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Ability in problem identification, reasoning. Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuasion, leadership. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with individuals in the Department as well as throughout campus effectively.
• Must have multicultural competencies and ability to work with diverse populations.Effective budget and financial management skills. Working skills of the university accounting system and procedures and campus Financial Aid Office policies.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuade others, and lead.

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 $100,000 to $130,000 yearly ($8,333,33 to $10,833.33 monthly). The full salary range for this classification is $91,500 to $168,900 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

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.