Graduate Student Affairs Officer for MSW Program (4575U), Social Welfare – 34447

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world’s leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , our Principles of Community , and our Strategic Plan .

Departmental Overview

Located within the world’s finest public university and one of the most diverse regions in the nation, the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare strives to transform the systems that perpetuate poverty and social disadvantage. Berkeley Social Welfare develops effective leaders and scholars committed to solving complex social problems; produces, disseminates and utilizes research to improve social-service delivery and policy through critical thinking and evidence-based knowledge; and prepares the next generation of culturally-competent social workers, researchers and teachers dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of our society.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: May 2, 2022.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising
Advises Social Welfare master’s programs students on requirements for degree completion. Serves as lead Enrollment Manager for master’s program courses. Advises faculty, students and staff on departmental and university policies and procedures governing graduate degrees. Identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions. Identifies master’s programs needs and trends and makes recommendations to Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Services. Develops, produces and maintains print and electronic advising materials and program handbooks.
Recruitment and Admissions
Advises prospective master’s programs applicants on necessary academic preparation and appropriateness of program as it pertains to the prospective applicant’s goals. Plans and implements outreach programs with specific target audiences. Plans, develops and presents admissions recruiting workshops to employers and professional organizations. Develops, produces and maintains print and electronic program outreach and promotional materials. In collaboration with Graduate Admissions Advisor, evaluates effectiveness of recruiting and admissions and makes recommendations to enhance yield of nontraditional, underrepresented, and working professional students.
Financial Aid
Supports the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Services with the administration, evaluation, and awarding of Social Welfare departmental fellowships and awards, including determining student eligibility and award requirements, establishing equitable means of funding distribution, overseeing issues of overawarding and cost of attendance adjustments, advising and supporting students with emergency funding needs through departmental and campus level support. Advises students on financial aid options on campus and extra-mural fellowship opportunities, including consulting with the Graduate Division, Basic Needs Center, Social Welfare faculty, and other Campus units on funding availability and opportunities for students in need
Course Scheduling
In collaboration with Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Social Welfare’s enrollment manager, and other stakeholders supports curriculum planning for the Masters program to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts with required courses for MSW and concurrent degree students, ensures course availability and student progress through course sequences, manages course exceptions/waivers and workarounds for specific student scheduling issues, and ensures compliance with campus-wide policies.
Other Responsibilities
Plans, designs, and implements workshops and events for prospective applicants and current students, such as information sessions about the MSW Program, admissions application workshops, academic strategies and enrichment programs, and new student orientation activities. Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques. Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University-specific computer application programs and student information systems, including Oracle Campus Solutions and Technolutions Slate. Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communications skills. Demonstrated reliability including ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work independently; absolute ability to maintain confidentiality. Interpersonal skills; multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations. Comprehensive knowledge of graduate professional degree programs and of the field’s post-degree employment opportunities and practices. Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems. Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
Education

Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Preferred Qualifications

Education

Strongly prefer a minimum of two years’ experience in graduate student advising, and/or a master’s degree in social work, counseling, education, public health, public policy, or closely related field and/or equivalent training or experience.
Salary & Benefits

This is an exempt, monthly paid position. Annual salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $55,000.00 – $78,000.00.
This is a one year, 100% full-time, 40-hours per week, Contract (temporary) appointment, eligible for full UC benefits.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html