Basic Needs Care Manager (0319U), Center for Education Equity and Excellence - #84417

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 Basic Needs Center acts as a virtual and physical hub that provides and connects students to essential services that impact health, belonging, and overall well-being. The Basic Needs Center team is committed to fostering belonging and justice on the UC Berkeley campus through a robust model that includes education, prevention & emergency relief programs in the core areas of basic needs: food security, housing security & financial stability.

Position Summary

The Basic Needs Center care manager provides leadership and oversight in leading a team to deliver comprehensive basic needs case management and care coordination services for students on the UC Berkeley campus. The care manager oversees the daily program operations and workflow, assists with developing program policies and procedures, conducts program assessment and evaluation, and participates in strategic planning.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: TBD 03/03/2026.

Responsibilities

Staff Supervision & Professional Development

• Provides weekly individual and group supervision to care staff, including performance management, coaching, and professional development planning.
• Delivers reflective, growth-oriented supervision grounded in trauma-informed, equity-centered, and evidence-informed case management practices.
• Offers consultation and coaching on complex student cases to strengthen professional judgment, ethical decision-making, and appropriate risk response.
• Establishes and monitors documentation standards to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant case records aligned with program protocols and standards of care.
• Conducts regular case documentation reviews and quality assurance audits to promote consistency, risk mitigation, and high-quality service delivery.
• Provides corrective guidance and targeted skill development related to documentation, crisis response, and case management best practices.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, role clarity, and continuous learning across the care team.
• Leads hiring, onboarding, evaluation, and corrective action processes in alignment with university policy and BNC leadership expectations.

Program Strategy, Quality Assurance & Risk Management

• Leads the strategic direction and operational oversight of the Basic Needs Center care model, including short- and long-term programmatic goals and service priorities.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures, standards of care, and risk assessment protocols to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
• Provides direct oversight and coordination for the most complex, high-need, and high-risk student cases, ensuring appropriate escalation, documentation, and cross-campus collaboration.
• Serves as the primary escalation point for care team members managing safety-sensitive or crisis-related situations.
• Represents the Basic Needs Center in cross-campus risk response and coordination structures, including participation in the Support, Outreach, and Coordination Committee.
• Manages case assignments, referral flow, and caseload distribution to ensure equitable workload and timely student support.
• Conducts program assessment, outcome tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives, including data analysis and reporting compliance.
• Collaborates with BNC leadership to align care services with broader Center priorities and strategic vision.
• Oversees emergency housing programming and ensures integration with care services and institutional risk mitigation practices.

Case, Resource & Referral Consultation

• Provides expert consultation to campus staff and faculty regarding Basic Needs Center services, complex student cases, and appropriate care coordination strategies.
• Develops and sustains strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders critical to student support, emergency response, and program success.
• Leads coordination and troubleshooting of complex emergency housing cases in partnership with campus housing and affiliated providers.
• Represents the Basic Needs Center on the Support Outreach & Coordination Committee, providing case consultation and collaborating on cross-campus risk assessment and intervention planning.

Financial Programming Efforts

• Oversees the Basic Needs Emergency Fund including managing the annual budget, providing guidance and support to the emergency fund team, data tracking and reporting trends, and holding bi-annual team retreats.
• Support the Center's economic justice strategy and develops recommendations for programs, staffing and advocacy priorities.
• Co-facilitates the Basic Needs Fee Oversight Committee and holds semesterly committee meetings.

Project Management

• Develops proposals and recommendations to guide and support a broader strategic direction for the Center's care model
• Applies best practices and basic needs research to inform, improve and/or expand on the Center's care service delivery model
• Oversees care services projects including but not limited to case management system infrastructure

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques, including crisis interventions, trauma-informed assessment & intervention.
• Advanced knowledge of management and supervision principles, including performance management, coaching, staff development, and accountability in complex service environments.
• Advanced knowledge of risk mitigation, institutional liability, and cross-campus coordination protocols related to complex and safety-sensitive student situations.
• Advanced skill in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Advanced knowledge of risk assessment, crisis response, and de-escalation techniques
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and agility necessary to address the complex needs of a variety of students, staff, and community partners.
• Strong analytical skills to monitor program performance, interpret service data, and implement evidence-informed improvements to care delivery systems.
• Ability in problem identification, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuasion, leadership, and intercultural competence.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn common University-specific computer application programs.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn University policies, processes, and procedures.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, counseling or 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 $95,000.00 - $125,000.00.

• This is a 2-year, full-time (40 hours/week), contract appointment that is eligible for UC benefits with the possibility of extension.
• 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.
• This position is eligible for up to 20% hybrid 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.