Undergraduate Major Advisor (5156C), Philosophy #86655

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. 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 Department of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley is a major center for philosophical teaching and research. Its undergraduate offerings attract a large cohort of majors and many students from other disciplines, and it also maintains a distinguished graduate program. The department has more than 20 faculty and is supported by an administrative cluster of nine staff. The Undergraduate Major Advisor provides full-time support to the Philosophy Department's undergraduate majors and minors.

Position Summary

The Undergraduate Advisor administers the Philosophy Department undergraduate programs independently and with a high degree of autonomy. Under the general guidance of the Department Manager, and in collaboration with other advising staff but with a high degree of independence, the position engages in the administrative and advising aspects of the undergraduate Philosophy program, including curriculum and enrollment management. The Philosophy Department attracts annual student enrollment of approximately 3,000 and 250-300 majors at a given time.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 17, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising

• 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, and university 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 Philosophy.
• 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.
• Responsible for interpreting campus policies and advising students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, and issues regarding discrimination.

Degree Conferral

• Oversee the degree conferral process, ensuring requirements are met and accurately documented in Academic Progress Reports (APR).
• Identify and note honors for graduating students.

Student Events and Outreach

• Plan and implement complex, high-visibility student events, notably the department commencement, Cal Day, and Transfer Day.
• 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.
• Participate in divisionwide student events, such as the Arts & Humanities Open House.
• 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.

Enrollment and Curriculum Support

• Act as back-up to department scheduler/enrollment manager.
• Track changes in course scheduling.
• Provide analysis of enrollment trends and other student data as needed by department manager, faculty advisors, staff advisors, and department chair.

Publications and Professional Development

• Oversee updates to key publications, including the Berkeley Academic Guide, L&S Advisor Guide, and ASSIST.org, ensuring alignment with current policies and curricular offerings.
• Attend campuswide undergraduate advising meetings, and tracks and report back to the department about changes related to undergraduate affairs.
• In consultation with supervisor, identify and implement annual professional development goals.
• Develop and maintain expertise on relevant computer systems, software, and tools.
• Complete required campus trainings.

Required Qualifications

• Attention to detail; strong administrative and computer skills.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, project management, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Ability in problem identification, reasoning.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across teams and departments.
• Demonstrated multicultural competencies and a proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a part of a team as well as independently.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, verbal and written.

Education / Training

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Working knowledge of and/or ability to learn about the University-specific computer application programs and systems and advising policies.

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 - $92,000.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

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.

Other Information

• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for SV.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% (2 days/week) remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• 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.

Misconduct

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.