Undergraduate Major Advisor (4575C) - #80100

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 English Department is the largest department in the Division of Art & Humanities in the College of Letters and Science, with ~50 permanent faculty and 9 permanent staff, a large cohort of undergraduate majors, and a distinguished graduate program.

Position Summary

Under the general guidance of the Department Manager and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and in collaboration with other advising staff but with a high degree of independence, engages in the administrative and advising aspects of the undergraduate English program, including the curriculum and enrollment management.

The English Department is the largest unit in the division of Arts and Humanities in the College of Letters and Science, with an annual student enrollment of approximately 5000 and approximately 400-500 majors at a given time.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 08/12/2025.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Policy Guidance

• Advises students and faculty on departmental, 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; provides input to curriculum planning in collaboration with faculty officers and staff colleagues.
• Provides advice and assistance to students on all aspects of their academic experience, including academic progress, satisfaction of major and minor requirements.
• Advises and guides new and continuing instructors on Departmental, College and University policies and procedures that pertain to undergraduate student affairs within the Department of English (including Medieval Studies).
• Reviews, evaluates and advises student petitions for exceptions to requirements.
• Advises students on a wide range of course possibilities and/or ways to complete degree requirements that may not be clearly defined.
• Advises on special eligibility requirements such as Honors Programs, Fellowships and Scholarships for English majors and minors, and minors in Medieval Studies.
• Responsible for interpreting campus policies and advising students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, and issues regarding discrimination.

Student Support and Case Management

• Assist students recognize key non- academic issues, and determine proper referrals for students whose academics may be adversely affected by mental health, study habits, financial, personal or family issues or crises and initiate contact on students' behalf for additional therapeutic counseling and/or assistance from other units.
• Tracks progress and conducts degree checks; confirms that students have met requirements for degree completion in some cases when there are no clear precedents or articulations, such as interdisciplinary programs or when transfer work is involved.
• Identifies students with GPA or progress problems, advises students, and recommends appropriate courses of action by the department.
• Identifies barriers, distractions, and complications affecting a student's academic success, helps students recognize these key non-academic issues, and makes appropriate referrals for therapeutic counseling and/or assistance from other units.

Program Application and Enrollment Support

• Working collaboratively with other advisors, manage Creative Writing applications, DeCal applications, Honors applications, and respond to enrollment questions and problems brought by students.

Major Department Events and Outreach

• Working collaboratively with other advisors, plan and implement complex, high-visibility student events, notably the department commencement, Cal Day, and Transfer Day.

Community Building and Orientation Programs

• Develop and manage events that build and enhance the undergraduate student community and experience, such as student recruitment events, orientation for newly admitted students, DEIB-focused events, information about the major or academic strategies and enrichment programs or workshops.
• Develop Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) and Golden Bear Advising (GBA) activities and content as well as specific orientations designed for transfer students.
• Develop recommendations for the improvement of existing programs and/or policies as well as initiate new programs and/or services to meet changing student needs.

Professional Development and Campus Engagement

• Attend campus wide undergraduate advising meetings, and tracks and reports back to the department about any changes related to undergraduate affairs.
• In consultation with supervisor, identifies and implements annual professional development goals.
• Examples might include special projects, or participating in professional associations, training programs, or campus committees. Workshops and seminars may focus on topics such as professional skills development, planning in higher education, and developing and maintaining expertise on relevant computer systems, software, and tools.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• 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.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn University-specific computer application programs.
• Humanities-related education and/or experience working in college settings with students and/or faculty concentrating in humanities-based areas of study.

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 $63,000.00 - $85.700.00.

• 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 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.

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.