Assistant Dean, Instruction and Student Affairs (0322U), College of Natural Resources - #83965

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Departmental Overview

UC Berkeley's Rausser College of Natural Resources is home to top-ranked programs across the biological, ecological, economic, nutritional, and social sciences. Our 120 faculty, 2,500 undergraduates, and 400 graduate students advance our collective understanding of climate change; biodiversity loss; economic and social inequality; food and water security; nutrition and disease; energy technology and policy; and sustainable land management for the health of all people and the planet through world-class teaching, innovative and multidisciplinary research, and public outreach.

Rausser College is composed of five academic units (Agricultural and Resource Economics; Environmental Science, Policy, and Management; Metabolic Biology & Nutrition; Plant and Microbial Biology; and the Energy and Resources Group), and several research centers and facilities. A multi-unit Dean's Office provides administrative, student services, development, and IT support.

The College is also known for its intellectual diversity, excellence in both foundational and translational research, commitment to scholarship that addresses justice and inequality and community of students, faculty, staff and alumni committed to finding solutions to the most-challenging environmental and health issues facing the planet.

Position Summary

The Assistant Dean for Instruction and Student Affairs (SSM1) manages a professional team of advisors and is responsible for all student services programming administered for undergraduate students by Rausser College of Natural Resources.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/10/2026.

Responsibilities

Manages Rausser College student services programs. Decides which resources are committed to goals and objectives, and how they will be allocated. Evaluates the effectiveness of the student services function, and makes changes to the program to provide better service to organizational management, faculty, and students.

• Oversees quality of advising services, and formulates the mission, goal, and objective of Rausser College Student Services.
• Develops long-range strategic planning for comprehensive advising programs for undergraduates.
• Assesses, implements, and manages programmatic and administrative oversight of the undergraduate advising and enrichment programs in the college based upon a wide-ranging understanding of student development, academic advising theory, and best practices.
• Oversees the coordination and administration of the college's undergraduate research programs - Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), Travel Grants, and Honors programs, and new initiatives to support undergraduate engagement.
• Oversees unit operation and activities of the Student Resource Center and computing facility.
• Manages process for course scheduling and enrollment management of undergraduate course offerings in each of the departments. Resolves conflicts and concerns, and provides information back to departments on larger conflicts with cancellations of courses required for majors.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the student academic advising function, and makes changes to the program to provide better service to organizational management, faculty, and students.
• Conduct student academic advising analysis and policy development for issues and processes.
• Guides the review and decision-making process of student petitions, requests, and appeals.
• In collaboration with Assoc Deans, serve as staff advisor to critical student organizations and oversee the Assistant Director through the planning and facilitation of NATRES 76, How to be a Rausser CNR Scientist.
• Oversees the college commencement program for undergraduate and graduate students.

Recognizes issues that have organization impact or future implications and advises employees accordingly. Provides direction to Assistant Director of Advising and Operations and senior professional student services advisors on the more complex issues encountered. Makes decisions on performance, salary actions (in consultation with the Executive Assistant Dean), hiring, and other human resources related issues of managed staff.

• Directs OISA personnel activities, including recruitment, hiring, training, and employee relations; establishes processes and procedures for position classification, merit recommendations, conflict resolution, staff development, recognition and reward systems, and disciplinary action.
• Follows the campus standard for comprehensive performance management (currently Achieve Together) and professional development for staff; leads regular staff meetings and individual check-ins to facilitate open communication, superior performance, and mentoring.
• Leads strategic and long range planning efforts
• Plans, develops, and administers the student services budget for the Office of Instruction & Student Affairs and the Student Resource Center.
• Makes the most effective use of available resources, monitors expenditures (salary, supplies and equipment, SPUR, travel and summer internship grants, fellowships, PAL stipends, programming budget) and assures they do not exceed appropriations.

Advises other academic and program managers on student issues and needs related to their programs.

• Provides high-level counsel to the Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chairs, and faculty undergraduate major committees on program changes impacting students, problems in curriculum offerings, student faculty complaints, and other internal/external matters.
• In concert with Associate Dean, adjudicates decisions on exceptions to policy in relation to sensitive student situations that entail highly complex problems.
• In partnership with Associate Dean and college Executive Committee, develops college policy, departmental policy recommendations, and proposals for consideration by the governing bodies of the college that can have far-reaching effects on RCNR's undergraduate programs and campus.
• Establishes and implements operational procedures to guide the decision-making process in regards to policies recognized by the Academic Senate, campus college, and departments.
• Analyzes and evaluates the impact of policy changes on students and recommends future policies based on the dynamics of campus operation changes.
• Participates on the RCNR Dean's Senior Management Team and RCNR External Advisory Board meetings.

Develops and oversees transfer admissions review, recruitment, and yield.

• Oversees and develops the design, planning, and implementation of the application review and selection process for transfer students and administers the college admissions review process.
• Advises and assists departmental process of developing articulation agreements between Rausser College and other colleges/universities.
• Develops implements and prepares reports and analyzes student admissions and yield data; tracks progress, identifies trends, and assesses data for long-range planning efforts; evaluates annually the success of efforts to achieve the college's enrollment and advising goals.
• Plans, develops, organizes, and directs a strategy for recruiting and enrolling students from diverse backgrounds; works closely with faculty, staff, student organizations, and alumni to achieve recruitment and admissions goals; develops strategic plans to maintain and increase quality of applicants.
• Evaluates effectiveness of admissions and/or recruitment programs and makes recommendations for recruitment strategy to enhance yield.
• Directs and coordinates the advising unit's involvement in recruitment efforts with those of the college, campus and representatives in targeted K-12 school districts and community colleges.
• Ensures the creation and production of publications and marketing materials specific to the college.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Strong knowledge of, and ability to lead, student-centered programs and services, initiatives and policy implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, advise and influence people at various levels of an organization.
• Strong planning, implementation and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing initiatives and deadlines.
• Well-developed political acumen and strong communication skills.
• Ability to effectively present complex information, influence people, solve problems, think creatively, and resolve conflicts.
• Demonstrated experience in working with diverse communities, situations, and ideas.
• Advanced knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, Federal and State laws pertaining to the privacy rights of students and access to student information, and UC regulations, policies, processes and procedures related to student registration, course enrollment, classroom use, recording of grades, and maintenance of student records.
• Advanced knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, information systems technology that supports the student experience.
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, common 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.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in education, higher education administration, counseling/advising, psychology or related field and/or equivalent experience.

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 $91,500.00 - $130,200.00. The full pay scale for this classification is $91,500.00 - $168,900.00.

• 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 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.

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.

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.