Basic Needs Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Departmental Overview
The Basic Needs Center supports students with food, housing, and financial stability resources, and connects students to other essential services. Support includes assessment of individualized student needs, navigation of and connection to basic needs resources, and planning and support to address students' immediate and long-term care in collaboration with on and off campus partners and services.
Position Summary
The Basic Needs Intake Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact for students engaging with the Basic Needs Center's (BNC) direct student support systems. This position plays a vital role in ensuring that students are triaged and connected efficiently to holistic services, including food, housing, and financial stability resources. The Intake Coordinator supports the initial assessment process, assists with case coordination and administration, manages a portfolio of standard resource requests, and contributes to the daily operations of the center's public-facing services.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is July 28, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
Assessment and Triage - 30%

• Initial Screening: Serve as a central point of contact for student inquiries and referrals; conduct foundational reviews to identify student needs, urgency, and appropriate pathways for support.
• Service Routing: Determine appropriate next steps for incoming requests, including routing to case management staff, providing immediate resource navigation, or referring to campus and community partners.
• Trend Monitoring: Assist in tracking engagement data and service trends to help leadership evaluate service demands and emerging student needs.

Case Coordination and Administration - 30%

• Queue Management: Support the administration of the case referral queue, assisting with the timely and equitable distribution of workflows among the support team.
• Documentation & Systems: Maintain accurate, confidential records within the department's data management systems to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care.
• Internal Communication: Facilitate communication between triage entry points and service providers to ensure dependable handoffs and follow-up tracking.
• Workflow Optimization: Participate in the ongoing review and refinement of administrative workflows to maximize service efficiency and team responsiveness.

Resource Navigation and Direct Support - 25%

• Standard Support Portfolio: Provide short-term, solution-focused coordination for students navigating standard or transactional resource requests (e.g., emergency financial applications, basic resource navigation, and public benefit program guidance).
• Follow-Up Coordination: Conduct routine follow-up communications with students to confirm resolution of immediate needs and verify connection to external resources.

Center Operations and Programmatic Support - 15%

• In-Person Services: Support the center's public-facing and in-person operations, ensuring a welcoming, organized, and accessible environment for the campus community.
• Outreach & Engagement: Participate in center-wide outreach efforts and programs as needed.
• Special Projects: Assist with general projects and data collection efforts in alignment with broader center goals and operational needs.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience providing direct support or case management in a social services, educational, or community-based setting.
• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques, including crisis interventions.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and planning.
• Advanced knowledge of trauma-informed assessment & intervention.
• Advanced organizational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple demands.
• Advanced skill in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and agility necessary to address the complex needs of diverse students, staff, and community partners.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, education, higher education administration, higher education counseling or a related field and/or equivalent training or experience. (Required)
• Master's degree in higher education administration, higher education counseling, social work, counseling, public health or other related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience/training. (Preferred)

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 off ers 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 $76,230.00 - $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.
Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 1 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.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for SV.

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
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.