Student Services Advisor (5157C) - #84711

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.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Psychology is a large, complex department within the College of Letters and Science (Division of Social Sciences). It comprises nearly 40 active faculty members, 16 career staff, 3 continuing Lecturers, a number of Visiting Scholars and Postdocs each year, as well as a large cadre of Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student researchers.

The fundamental missions of the University - teaching, research, and community service - are all met by the Department. Our teaching program is quite large.

Psychology has nearly 800 undergraduates and department courses serve approximately 4,000 students each semester, as well as a large summer sessions offering each year. The Department has approximately 90 graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in five specialized sub-fields. In research, the Department supports the work of a large number of life science labs in work with both human and animal subjects, as well as an off-site Field Station.

Psychology is closely linked with several major research institutes/ORU's on campus: The Institute of Human Development, the Institute of Personality and Social Research, the Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences; and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, and works in collaboration with their administration to meet the needs of our faculty. The Department also collaborates closely with the department of Neuroscience, as many of our faculty have joint appointments and related research areas. Our outpatient clinic serves the surrounding community by providing vital psychiatric treatment.

In short, the Department of Psychology is a large and varied unit which requires considerable skill in terms of its overall administration.

Position Summary

Involves a range of student services duties and responsibilities for an academic department with a focus on student financial support. Provides assistance to the Director of Student Services, Department Chair, faculty, and students in financial aid, awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, academic employee appointments, as well as academic advising, recruitment, admissions, student orientation and events, and related programs. Advises current and prospective graduate students and, as necessary, undergraduate students, about department, campus, and University requirements. Responsible for addressing issues concerning student funding and degree progress and overseeing academic programs and admission to the graduate program.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 03/16/2026.

Responsibilities

Graduate Administration:

• Applying advanced student services concepts, provides the most complex student services to the department's management, faculty and students.
• Provides consultative guidance to faculty and leadership on risk exposure, regulatory implications, and operational impacts associated with complex funding and appointment decisions.
• Oversees the administration, evaluation, and awarding of student fellowships, grants, scholarships, and other awards, including all departmental fellowship funds, block grant, and non-resident tuition waivers; coordinating as needed with the Graduate Division, the department's financial analyst, Director of Student Services and the Department Chair or manager.
• Oversees processes for equitable assignment of all ASE positions (Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), tutors, and readers) and their hiring each term; recruiting potential GSIs from within and outside the department, determining and tracking eligibility and promotions, proposing assignments and making recommendations for additional course staffing needs.
• Leads the resolution of urgent instructional staffing vacancies by conducting analysis of candidate qualifications, appointment parameters, workload thresholds, and collective bargaining constraints, implementing solutions that mitigate instructional and compliance risk.
• Serves as the primary resource for matters concerning Graduate Division, Employee Labor Relations, and departmental and university regulations and requirements as they relate to student funding.
• Stays apprised of changes in Graduate Division fellowship policies and ASE contracts, communicating pertinent information to the Director of Student Services and department chair.
• Recommends resolution of extremely sensitive, specialized, and complex financial aid issues; independently assess and resolve non-routine emergency financial situations where students are ineligible for conventional employment or loan options, requiring interpretation of policy constraints, identification of alternative funding pathways, and coordination with multiple campus stakeholders to mitigate academic disruption.
• Identifies emerging programmatic needs, funding trends, and policy gaps, and develop strategic recommendations for the Director of Student Services and Department Chair, including the design and implementation of procedures to ensure consistent policy compliance.
• Maintains graduate student records; including academic appointments (GSI, GSR, and reader) and fellowship funding, producing and analyzing reports as needed.
• May additionally support student academic progress record keeping as needed.
• Maintains graduate program promotional materials and student and faculty handbooks, as pertains to graduate funding.

Student Advising:

• Serves as the primary funding adviser for new and continuing graduate students; closely monitoring current and projected funding needs for each student in the program, identifying problems with funding plans, formulating solutions, and referring to Faculty Advisor, as needed.
• Advises students on financial aid options of the organization and extra-mural fellowship opportunities.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on highly complex visa and immigration matters affecting immigrant and nonimmigrant students, including interpretation of federal regulations, SEVIS requirements, employment authorization rules, language proficiency exams, and funding restrictions.
• Develops internal procedures to ensure consistent adherence to regulatory requirements and mitigate institutional risk.
• Counsels and advises students and faculty on policy interpretation and implementation for fellowship and all graduate student contracted positions.
• Serves as a back-up on academic program matters and may coordinate the qualifying exam process, dissertation committees, and advancement to candidacy.
• Supports students in identifying solutions to interpersonal challenges with their head instructor, fellow GSI, or undergraduate students.
• Guides students during times of crisis and helps them navigate campus resources including: academic, financial, and physical/psychological support.
• Handles persistent student challenges to established rules and policies.
• Develops individual remediation plan for students who are not eligible for GSI appointments and coordinates alternate funding opportunities.

Graduate Recruitment and Admissions:

• Advises prospective applicants on funding options and opportunities.
• Serves as the primary contact for applicants and accepted candidates on any matters related to graduate student funding support.
• Supports the Admissions Committee, advising on funding and fellowship options.
• Oversees the maintenance of any funding related materials shared with prospective students, on the web, hard copy, or presentations.
• Develops and implements data informed funding strategies for recruitment aligned with departmental enrollment and programmatic goals.
• Manages the funding letter process, requiring in-depth knowledge of campus and departmental funding policies, ASE & GSR contract, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manages funding letter guarantee risks by proactively troubleshooting potential issues; educating faculty advisors on relevant contract and campus policies and securing alternative funding pathways.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of funding allocation yield efforts and recommend adjustments to strategy based on measurable outcomes and enrollment metrics.
• Resolves complex student aid issues that arise from competing funding sources such as fellowships, loans, and appointments.
• Proposes solutions to increase competitiveness of recruitment offers to potential students.

Team Lead Duties:

• Provides day-to-day direction and functional oversight to graduate advisors within the unit.
• Serves as the first point of contact for complex or escalated advising matters, resolving issues and providing guidance on policy interpretation and procedural questions.
• Develops, implements, and updates internal procedures and workflow guidelines to improve efficiency and ensure standardization across the team.
• Trains, mentors, and onboards new advisors; provide ongoing coaching and feedback to support professional development and performance.
• Partners with faculty, department leadership, and central campus offices to coordinate graduate program operations and address complex or sensitive student matters.

Other Support:

• Supports the coordination and implementation of complex, high visibility student events such as commencements, and admissions/recruitment related departmental events.
• Develops and maintains resources related to careers, on the job market process, and the standards and norms specific to the students' field of study.
• Maintains professional growth and development through attendance at training sessions, seminars, conferences, and participation in campus wide events and professional organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn University-specific computer application programs.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Excellent computer skills to work in Word, Excel, Google Sheets, Google Forms, and/or can quickly learn Open Berkeley, Slate, CalCentral, Campus Solutions, ACG Psychology database and other student services programs.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the ability to take actions to improve performance of processes and services.
• Ability in problem identification, reasoning, and to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuade, and lead.
• Ability to organize conceptually and spatially, prioritize responsibilities, and multi-task.
• Demonstrated reliability including ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work independently.
• Must have a proven track record of making positive contributions to work environments.
• Advanced interpersonal skills including effective verbal and written communication.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Must have completed FERPA training or be able to complete training course upon hire.
• 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 $82,560.00- $100,800.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

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

Other Information

• This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Student Services Advising Professionals, represented by the UAW.
• 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.
• This position is eligible for up to 60% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

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.

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.