Student Services Advisor III (5156C) - Materials Science and Engineering

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The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is one of seven academic departments within the College of Engineering. MSE has a rich history, founded in 1868 as the College of Mining, and is on the cutting edge of modern materials science and engineering, consistently ranked in the top 3 nationally. The department has 7 staff members and about 20 core faculty members, 2 adjunct faculty, 13 emeriti faculty, and 3 joint faculty (0 percent in MSE) from other departments who actively collaborate on teaching and research. Many of the faculty members have multiple affiliations, both on campus and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The student population includes approximately 150 graduate MSE PhD and MS students, 45 AS&T PhD students (an interdisciplinary graduate group administered by MSE) and 120 undergraduate students engaged in a curriculum distinctive for its multiple laboratory courses and interdisciplinary character.

This professional provides organized and thoughtful student advising and creative and analytical program support for the Materials Science and Engineering BS, Minor, 5th Year MS, and Master's of Engineering. Additionally, this person has responsibility for course scheduling, GSI/TA and Reader hiring, ABET accreditation support, and student awards.

The position independently provides the full range of undergraduate and graduate student services for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, including admissions, academic advising, course scheduling, enrollment management, ASE hiring coordination, financial aid administration, student engagement, and departmental events. The role advises students, faculty, and departmental leadership on academic policies and procedures, monitors student progress, identifies academic issues and recommends interventions, coordinates with multiple campus partners, and independently manages complex operational functions that support student success.

The First Review Date for this job is: August 3, 2026 - Open Until Filled

• Applying professional student services concepts, provides the full range of student services to student population served by the organization. Communicates important information to students in multiple modalities; responsive and available for consultation both drop in and scheduled; acts as trusted resource and consultant for students; serves as liaison and advocate with the department on behalf of student populations; serve as in-house expert on current and evolving campus and COE policies regarding student affairs, union contracts, and pertinent business systems; creates a holistic and integrated program vision for the specific responsibilities outlined below.
• 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 rank applicants for admissions; collects and organizes data, analyzes trends, proposes and implements activities to increase yield, retention, satisfaction, and outcomes. Working with faculty, manages Admissions cycle including answering applicant questions and updating admissions data systems.
• 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, optimizing course sequencing and access. Partners with Engineering Student Services to advise undergraduates; partners with Fung Institute to advise Master's of Engineering students. Collaborates closely with Berkeley's International Office to ensure compliance and promote success of our international students. Assists with ABET process.
• Courses and Enrollment: In collaboration with the Department Chair, Manager, and Faculty, develop the academic year schedule of classes. Coordinate curricular needs with room availability while also considering past demand and department targets for each course. Enter and manage courses in the scheduling system. Set enrollment limits, reserves, and process waitlists for MSE courses, including review and approval of concurrent enrollment and university extension requests. Processes requests for general assignment classrooms for faculty and/or student groups, as needed. Ensures instructors and GSIs are accurately reflected in the schedule of classes in order to facilitate the teaching evaluation process; monitors, saves, and analyzes evaluations. Advise faculty on administrative matters related to course development and curriculum planning. Coordinate with faculty and the Vice Chair to submit schedule changes and new courses to COCI for review and approvals. Liaises with COCI, instructors, and faculty leadership to solve issues with a new or updated course.
  ASE Hiring: In collaboration with the Department Chair, Manager, and Instructors will create a list of GSI and Reader positions, will advertise and collect applications, will assist in selection process, and will process appointment with ERSO.
• Events: With External Relations Specialist, coordinate Cal Day, Golden Bear Orientation, Commencement reception, and other student recruitment and student culture building events with a focus on community and inclusive excellence. In addition to planning and execution of the event, will present material and represent MSE to the visiting student and families. Will require occasional evening and weekend work.
• Financial Aid: Oversees the administration and awarding of MSE annual student awards, recommendation of MEng students for scholarships, and entry of occasional distributions for students via the SIS Multi-Year Funding website. fellowships, grants, scholarships, and other awards; advises students on financial aid options of the organization and extra-mural fellowship opportunities; oversees processes for equitable assignment of Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) and coordinates GSI assignments each term with department, instructors, students, and ERSO regional HR services.
• Professional Development: Maintains and updates working knowledge of College and campus student affairs issues by taking appropriate classes, workshops, and attending campus-wide Student Affairs meetings and networking with peers to provide students with greater access to information and resources.
• Develops and enhances an alumni network, for community building, mentorship, and departmental support.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Interpersonal skills, including service orientation, engagement, active listening, and leadership
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
• 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.
• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.

• Knowledge of complex U.S. visa and immigration procedures, compliance issues, and employment eligibility / authorization for international students and scholars.

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 $64,260 to $87,360 yearly ($5,355 to $7,280 monthly); the full salary range for this title (STDT SVC ADVISOR 3 SV) is $64,260 to $110,460 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for SV.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

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.

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

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.