Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, First Year Evaluation (7399U) #74404

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.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides a fair opportunity for every applicant to obtain admission to the University, operates in a professional manner that ensures positive staff morale and values hard work and dedication. The team communicates and collaborates effectively, presents a coordinated effort to standardize procedures and document best practices, offer a variety of methods for professional development, and provide first-class customer service in a cost-effective and transparent manner. coordinated effort to standardize procedures and document best practices, offer a variety of methods for professional development, and provide first-class customer service in a cost- effective and transparent manner.

The First Review Date for this job is: January 3, 2025

Overview:

Independently responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions first-year evaluation activities. Works closely with the office leadership to support first-year evaluation needs within reading and finalization processes. Though primary responsibilities will be around the first-year review cycle, this position will also be required to support the transfer review cycle including reading and finalization assignments. The incumbent will need to have strong skills in first-year policy and admissions processes. They will be relied upon to exercise judgment in reviewing applications before and after admissions decisions have been made. This position guides the First-Year Evaluation Team in the preparation of first-year reader training, which includes but is not limited to leading the norming of last year's applications, preparing training modules and slide decks, and updating the first-year reader manual. Liaises with the academic colleges on admissions policy and matriculation exemptions. Oversee the finalization process(es) including creation and dissemination of training. Will hire and train external staff for both first-year reading and finalization to ensure completion of document verification and completion.

MANAGES COMPLEX PROCESSES:

• This position acts as a contributor to discussions related to first-year reading policy updates.
• Designs and implements administrative practice and procedures to carry out first-year admission policies as approved by AEPE.
• Works in consultation with their supervisor and OUA Leadership to implement all changes in policies or practice. This may include workload issues, changes in review policy, commitment of resources, or the timing and appropriateness of amendments to policies or practices.
• Prepares and updates the first-year reader manual. Create new and engaging ways to train and norm readers. Develops and conducts the norming sessions (designed to "norm" the criteria into scores by the staff) for readers and provides feedback.
  

SUPERVISES INTERNAL STAFF, AND EXTERNAL READERS:

• Directly supervises 3-5 Assistant Directors (ARS3s).
• Ensures that managers are meeting departmental objectives in the reading process as it relates to business needs, and compliance with University, campus and departmental policies.
• Indirectly supervises all external seasonal readers (actual count depends upon applications submitted) hired to assist with the application review cycle.
• Assists with the HR representative to hire new external readers.
• Responsible for collecting all confidentiality agreements from external readers and assuring that they are filed in compliance with audit regulations. Educates all readers on the importance of confidentiality.
• Monitor and approve payment/departmental reimbursement for all external readers.
• Make recommendations of external readers who may be appropriate for continued participation in application review after the initial phase of reading has ended.
  

PROVIDES ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION:

• Assess workflows to be certain that the process continues to meet the needs of the office and campus, especially as it relates to new technical systems.
• Researches and prepares briefings on matters related to first-year admission issues, policy, procedure, or practice.
  

ADVISES AND RECRUITS:

• Serves as a point of contact for all assigned schools/community colleges. Schedules visits and represents the University of California, Berkeley at school/community college/program visits, college nights/fairs, transfer days/fairs as assigned.
• Behaves in a manner that promotes goodwill on behalf of the University.
• Provides information about higher education generally and UC Berkeley specifically. Supports Associate Director of Communication and Visitation in the implementation of events to enhance recruitment and yield, including Cal Day, diversity initiative events, mentoring programs, electronic communications, and similar activities.
• Serves as liaison between students, parents, colleges/universities, community agencies, and UC Berkeley college/school/department.
• Serves as Officer of the Day (OD) as assigned. Provides in-depth information on admissions/selection/eligibility requirements, prerequisite courses, school/college programs and curricula, specific financial aid criteria, and career opportunities.
• Assists prospective applicants with course planning. Responds to general inquiries. Contacts students regarding their admission to Berkeley.
  

APPLICATION REVIEW & EVALUATION:

• Serves as lead reader for assigned region, including the training and management of assigned external readers.
• Reads and assesses applications for first-year and transfer admission.
• Conducts holistic and/or comprehensive reviews of applications, assessing academic preparedness of applicants.
• Uses professional judgment when reviewing complex applications for admission.
• Using extensive knowledge of college/school/department requirements and applicant pool, assesses the applicants' overall record and experience for admissions recommendation.
• Maintains a caseload of newly admitted students and performs course-by-course evaluations for eligibility review and record verification.
• Mandates supplemental academic preparation as a condition of admission where appropriate.
• Manage the sensitive and complex appeals process, including the case-by-case preparatory research, data entry, and communications.
• Review appeals and make recommendations to the office leadership.
  

LEADS THE FINALIZATION PROCESS:

• Serves as the lead for first-year finalization.
• Works with HR representative to hire all external finalizers for the cycle.
• Acts as the main point of contact for the systems team for configuration updates to Slate and/or Campus Solutions for finalization.
• Works with the first-year evaluation and transfer evaluation teams to create and disseminate finalization training for all external finalizers.
• Responsible for management and supervision of the external finalizers to ensure all assigned files are completed by stated deadlines.
  

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:

• At certain times of the admissions cycle, the Incumbent may be called upon to support the activities of the office, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs with duties outside of those responsibilities outlined above.
• The staff member in this position must also stay current on changing educational systems and policies. Identify professional development activities that would enhance the incumbent's skills, knowledge and or experience. These may include, but not limited to, attending and/or presenting at conferences.
  

• Advanced knowledge of project management including program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Advanced knowledge and experience working with a diverse student population.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Advanced and comprehensive knowledge of academic programs, including curricula, admissions requirements, and financial aid programs, at colleges / universities and specifically at UC.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Advanced knowledge of tertiary level foreign credentials, secondary school records, study abroad programs and policies, and the knowledge of major educational systems of the world
• Thorough knowledge of organizational or initiative processes, protocols and procedures.
• Advanced ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with schools, universities, community organizations, and other institutions.
• Advanced ability to develop recruitment programs, and design effective materials. Advanced knowledge of applicable policy analysis techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of admissions requirements for campus / school / college, including mitigating circumstances / bases for exceptions.
• Advanced skills to develop the school's / college's strategic recruitment plans, designing outreach and recruitment programs and materials that will attract and enroll top candidates to the school / college, including students from under-represented groups.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
  

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of UC Berkeley, and the ability to interpret policies and procedures to prospective students and the public.
• Knowledgeable about Office of the President, Board of Admission and Relations with Schools (BOARS), and the Berkeley campus' Admissions Enrollment & Preparatory Education Committee (AEPE); the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Bilingual / multilingual capabilities.
• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

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 range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $107,440 to $116,288.

• This is a 100% full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is exempt and paid monthly.
• Currently this is a hybrid position with the expectation of 2 to 3 days a week in person/on campus.

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.

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.

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/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.