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.

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. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence ensure non-traditional students excel at the top public University in the world. By respecting every undergraduate as a unique individual, CE3 programs empower UC Berkeley students to achieve and lead.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is one of several CE3 programs, and it provides holistic support to first generation, low-income, and underrepresented college students with the guidance and resources necessary to succeed at UC Berkeley, one of the best public universities in the world.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is creating the Black Success Counselor position to serve the academic counseling needs of African American/Black students, with a high-touch focus on first-year retention services. EOP provides individualized services to students who are underrepresented, low income, first generation college students, and/or otherwise at a higher risk of experiencing academic difficulty, to help students succeed This position will closely partner with the African-American Development Office (AASD) and African-American Theme Program (AATP).

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: Thursday, May 2, 2024

Responsibilities

Holistic Academic Counseling:

• Provides dedicated cohort advising to African-American Theme Program (AATP) students across disciplines and colleges/schools and intersectional identities (e.g., low- income, first-generation college, underrepresented populations, etc.).
• Incorporating a variety of theoretical approaches, provides consistent individual academic counseling services to African-American/Black undergraduate students from post-admission through graduation.
• Conducts a comprehensive assessment/analysis of students' needs and develops a plan of action to enhance students' academic success. Assists undergraduate students in understanding and navigating university policies.
• Provides financial aid counseling and academic crisis intervention.
• Supports in the triaging of students to respective resources.
• Provides individualized services to both first year and continuing African- American/Black undergraduate students.
• Services may include academic needs assessment, developing individual study plans, recognizing and addressing academic and non-academic barriers to academic success, and counseling on other aspects that may affect student retention and academic success.
• Provides high-touch case management and follow-up around timely academic enrollment and financial deadlines.
• Works with academic departments, faculty, and department management to help resolve specific student academic issues.
• Assists students in developing strategies to solve academic and personal problems.
• Plans, develops and implements advising strategies that address campus climate issues impacting students academically and personally.
• Provides weekly dedicated advising hours at Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center.
• Proactively reaches out to students to assist with creating a comprehensive academic and personal support plan.
• Maintains up-to-date and timely documentation of all student meetings and programmatic contact.
• Completes other programmatic admin projects and duties as assigned.

Program Partnership:

• Assists in the planning and implementation of cross-cultural workshops, seminars, and community programming focused on retention and academic planning.
• Collaborates in facilitating and convening community forums, workshops and dialogues with African-American Theme Program (AATP) residents and members of the African- American/Black community.
• Maintains ongoing communication and consultation with AASD/AAI staff as needed.

Student Leadership Development:

• Collaborates with AAI Program Manager and EOP student staff supervisors to support the AAI/EOP Peer Academic Counselor student development and training.
• Supports as needed with the recruitment and ongoing training of undergraduate Peer Academic Counselors who have completed at least their first year with the African- American Initiative (AAI) Scholarship.
• Provides case consultation to student staff as needed.

Trainings, Meetings & Campus Collaborations:

• Keeps abreast of student trends in higher education, particularly low-income and first- generation college populations.
• Refers students to appropriate specialized programs and resources.
• Keeps abreast of campus policies and student trends by attending ongoing meetings with campus stakeholders such as: EOP, AASD, AATP Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, etc.
• Attends and participates in training sessions held by EOP, African American Student Development and African-American Initiative.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of the histories, theories, and practice of African/African American/Black/Diaspora thought, multiculturalism, African/African American/Black/Diaspora student development and student leadership development.
• Knowledge of the methodologies used to enhance students' academic and personal development, such as collaborative and student-centered teaching/learning models, small group facilitation, coaching, mentoring, and advocacy.
• Knowledge of trends and issues facing students from low-income, underrepresented, multiracial, multiethnic, mixed-race, mixed-ethnic, immigrant, refugee, disability, and/or lgbtqia+_ backgrounds.
• Knowledge of community, labor, youth, and/or student organizing.
• Experience collecting and analyzing data, and generating reports.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the theories and practice of multicultural counseling, learning, human and career development.
• Knowledge in how to enhance students' intellectual and personal growth and development, including critical thinking, effective communication, self-appraisal, self-esteem, clarification of values, appropriate career choices, and leadership.
• Knowledge of the methodologies used to enhance student achievement, such as, strategies for effective counseling and peer mentoring, small group facilitation and training, coaching, mentoring, and advocacy.
• Knowledge of trends and issues facing low-income and first-generation college, underrepresented, and under prepared students in higher education.
• Knowledge and experience in working with historically underrepresented ethnic minority communities, first generation college students.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities of students, staff, and faculty.
• Highly developed interpersonal and public communication skills including political acumen, social/cultural perceptiveness, conflict management, and interventions strategies.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, and practices of multicultural event planning and campus-community relations, including event design, organization, and production.
• Knowledge and experience analyzing complex situations and identifying solutions to solve problems.
• Skills and experience in developing and administering programs designed to meet the diverse needs of students.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's in Education Psychology or Counseling and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Two to three years of professional experience in related area.

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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $64,000.00 - $80,000.00.

• This is a 36-month, 100%, full-time (40 hours per week), contract position that is eligible for full UC benefits with the possibility of extension.
• This position is exempt and paid monthly.
• This is a hybrid position, eligible for up to 40% remote capability.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

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.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

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.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.