Graduate Student Affairs Officer (4576U), Plant & Microbial Biology - 70528
About Berkeley
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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.
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.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and 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 staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities.
Departmental Overview
Land Acknowledgement:
We acknowledge that UC Berkeley is located on the territory of xuyun, the ancestral and unceded land of the Chocenyo speaking Ohlone people, the successors of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. This land was and continues to be of great importance to the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and other familial descendants of the Verona Band.
The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology is committed to the University of California's mission of dedicated research and to providing a superior education in plant biology, microbiology, and related life sciences.
Position Summary
The Rausser College of Natural Resources (RCNR) is seeking a Graduate Student Affairs Officer to support our top-ranked graduate programs. We are looking for a dynamic, thoughtful, adaptable individual with top-notch advising skills, excellent financial and policy comprehension and who enjoys an academic and research working environment.
The incumbent will be an advocate for RCNR throughout campus, and will help envision, build and support graduate student advising in the department in the campus's administrative structure.
Under the direction of the Department of Plant and Microbial (PMB) Department Manager, the position will spend 50% of their time as a Graduate Student Affairs Officer (GSAO) in PMB, working in tandem with the current GSAO on all matters for grad advising as outlined in the responsibilities below. The remaining 50% of the position will work in collaboration with the portfolio of GSAO responsibilities across the college's other four departments: Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, Agricultural & Resource Economics, Energy & Resources Group, and Environmental Science, Policy & Management.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: 07/09/2024.
Responsibilities
ASE/GSR HIRING, SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS
- As the subject matter expert, works in partnership with college GSAOs in support of Academic Student Employee processing - May also lead the process in shared departments.
- Provides direction and guidance on a wide range of ASE/GSR matters.
- Advises ASEs and instructors on job and workload expectations, appointment eligibility, and fee remission benefits.
- Works with the departmental committees to develop and oversee processes for equitable assignments.
- Maintains current knowledge of Graduate Division, BEST Region, and UAW-related employment and appointment policies.
- Stays up to date on current contract policies, including fee remission benefits.
- Oversees appointments exceptions process; submits exception requests to the Graduate Division.
- In conjunction with departmental committee(s) and/or faculty supervisors, addresses any ASE/GSR performance issues that may arise.
- Manages GSI evaluation process and regularly reviews GSI evaluations to identify potential problems.
- Coordinates and makes recommendations for Outstanding GSI Award nomination.
FUNDING/FINANCIAL AID
- Recommends resolutions of extremely sensitive, specialized, and complex financial aid issues; and administers departmental block grant and restricted funds.
- Advises department's management on available funds for entering students based upon special funding from all sources.
- Maintains current knowledge of Graduate Division, departmental, and graduate group requirements, policies, and procedures relative to graduate student funding.
- Tracks all sources of available graduate student funding and investigates new sources of funding.
- Completes and processes official documents necessary for the initiation, continuation, and administration of all financial awards.
- Maintains complex spreadsheets to track student funding commitments and payments.
- Works with Financial Analyst and BEST Region staff to reconcile expenses and ensure that graduate student funding is administered accurately.
- Advises students on financial aid options on campus and extramural fellowship opportunities.
- Works with the Fellowships Office and the Berkeley International Office (BIO) to resolve funding issues for domestic and international students.
- Manages all current and new departmental and college funding applications.
- Manages gift reporting to College Relations and University Development and Alumni Relations.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
- Ensures Plant & Microbial Biology (PMB) student handbook is up to date.
- Interprets and applies advanced student services concepts; provides the most complex student services to the department's leadership, faculty, and students.
- Provides extensive advising and guidance on complicated student and program-related issues.
- Identifies and refers for resolution intricate student issues/grievances.
- Reviews students' progress and identifies students with progression problems, and recommends interventions.
- Recommends petition exceptions that affect the requirements of multiple departments.
- Advises students and faculty on department/college/university policies and procedures.
- Includes advising international students and liaising with the Berkeley International Office (BIO).
RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS
- Coordinates and tracks graduate admissions process.
- Advises and supports Admissions committees.
- Reviews domestic and international transcripts, evaluates eligibility, and ensures application completeness.
- Plans and organizes student recruitment visits to campus.
- May travel to participate in recruiting events.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
- Provides and makes recommendations for the improvement of department/college policies.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of the student services function.
- Advises chair/dean on the formulation of department/college policy.
- Represents the student services unit to the campus community.
CURRICULUM PLANNING & SUPPORT
- Evaluates course support needs and proposes staffing solutions.
- Manages graduate course scheduling and assists with curriculum planning.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- May supervise work-study student(s) as required.
- May collaborate across the GSAO team.
- Point person for the exchange of information regarding housing priority for RCNR students.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Attends workshops/seminars and/or complex training/courses.
- Participates on student services committees and/or department/college/university committees.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
- In-depth knowledge of policy and implementation of Academic Student Employees (ASE) labor contracts.
- In-depth knowledge of student programmatic and functional affairs.
- In-depth knowledge of campus and university graduate student affairs policies.
- Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs.
- Skills in monitoring/assessing people, processes or services.
- Skills in project management and social perceptiveness.
- Ability to work with diverse populations.
- Ability in problem identification, reasoning, and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
- Able to effectively manage multiple important priorities.
- Possesses good judgment and can assess and handle non-routine situations.
- Possesses political acumen and excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- Able to work independently.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills; Organized and service-oriented.
- Advanced knowledge of complex visa and immigration policies.
- Ability to work Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm and occasional weekend or evening shifts.
- Computer skills; Microsoft Office, Google Suite.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Salary & Benefits
This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for UC Benefits.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $70,100.00 - $97,400.00. The full salary range for this classification is $70,100.00 - $124,700.00.
How to Apply
- To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
- This is not a visa opportunity.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
For additional policies, refer to University of California's Affirmative action policy and University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.
To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=21&JobOpeningId=70528&PostingSeq=1
