Undergraduate Advisor (5156C) - #85214

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 Economics at UC Berkeley is one of the largest teaching and research departments, consistently ranked among the top five worldwide. It employs 16 staff members and approximately 45 ladder-rank faculty, with a total academic membership of around 70, including joint appointments, lecturers, visiting faculty, and emeriti. The department's student services operation is one of the largest at Berkeley, serving 1,500 undergraduate majors, awarding 700 degrees annually, and supporting 140 PhD students. Each year, the department receives 800 PhD applications, employs 200 academic student-workers, offers 150 courses with 40,000 student credit hours, hosts 100 visiting concurrent enrollment students, and manages over $8M in teaching and fellowship funds.

Position Summary

The Undergraduate Advisor (UA) is responsible for providing a wide range of student services duties in support of programs in Economics. The UA is a member of an advising team that administers several aspects of the department's undergraduate program with a high level of independence and autonomy. This position is responsible for advising a cohort of undergraduates and provides a high level of administrative and policy analysis on a range of issues relevant to the major. This position also advises the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Student Services, Undergraduate Committee, Undergraduate Chair and the Director of Student Services on administration of the program and interpretation and implementation of university and department policies, as well as on the formulation of department policy.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 04/08/2026.

Responsibilities

Undergraduate Academic Advising:

• Applying professional student services and counseling concepts, provides the full range of student services, academic advising, and guidance to undergraduate student population served by the organization.

Academic Advising:

• Advises faculty on departmental/school/college and university policies and procedures; reviews students' progress and advises students and faculty on requirements for degree/program completion; identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions; devises curriculum planning in collaboration with chair/dean and faculty, and with other departments.
• In conjunction with the Undergraduate Advising team, reviews students' progress and advises students and faculty on requirements for degree/program completion, advises faculty on departmental and university policies and procedures; identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions; devises curriculum planning in collaboration with chair, faculty, and with other departments.
• Assesses and evaluates student eligibility for graduation with regard to major requirement completion.
• Responsible for interpreting campus policies and advising students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, and issues regarding discrimination.
• Advises department students on the job market process, and the standards and norms specific to the student's field of study; assesses internship program eligibility for credit.
• Utilizes full scope of advising/counseling skill set to support students of concern, students in distress, and/or students in academic difficulty.

Recruitment and Admissions:

• Plans and implements outreach programs with specifically targeted institutions; advises prospective applicants on necessary academic preparation; appropriateness of program as it pertains to the prospective applicant's goals; utilizing in-depth knowledge of the organization's admissions criteria, helps evaluate applicants for admissions; helps rank applicants for admissions; evaluates domestic and international transcripts for degree eligibility; initiates and arranges student recruitment visits.

Special Projects:

• Manages a specialized area of responsibility tailored to departmental strategic goals.
• Assignments may include, but are not limited to, commencement planning, course equivalency evaluation, transfer student programming, website management, student organization liaison, or honors program administration, and are subject to reassignment based on departmental needs and the advisor's professional strengths.

Programming/Events:

• Plans and implements complex, high-visibility student events, such as commencement, and Cal Day.
• Plans, designs, and provides workshops for students, such as information about the major or academic strategies and enrichment programs.
• Participates in Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) and Golden Bear Advising (GBA) activities and presentations.
• May develop other student programming to address the evolving needs of our student population.
• Plans, designs, and provides workshops for students, such as information about the organization, or academic strategies and enrichment programs.

Professional Development:

• Maintain professional development and update working knowledge of student affairs administration through attendance and participation at campus and other training sessions, seminars, conferences, and events and active membership in campus and professional organizations, and networking with peers.
• The Department of Economics provides $1,500 per year toward professional development activities.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment, organizational skills, effective verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment and decision-making.
• Thorough knowledge of department/college/school precedents and application of policy.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Experience in managing student programs and/or event planning.
• Ability in problem identification, reasoning.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative and flexible.
• 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 $90,000.00 - $100,000.00.

• 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 40% remote 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.