Graduate Advisor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Departmental Overview
The Department of Music at Berkeley is one of the oldest and most prominent in the country, bringing together a renowned group of composers, scholars, and performers. For more than 100 years, UC Berkeley's Department of Music has championed professionalism, academic rigor, and the highest caliber of research. The department is dedicated to a liberal education in the Arts and Humanities, introducing students to a wide variety of music practices in performance, music composition and technology, theoretical and creative studies, and historical and cultural studies. The curriculum is responsive to the interests of a diverse student body and cultivates a broad expertise in the field.
The Department of Music boasts a roster of distinguished Bay Area artists offering individual musical instruction, a treasured collection of classical instruments, as well as four buildings: Hertz Concert Hall, the Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library, the Center for New Music and Audio Technology and Morrison Hall. Through its courses and concerts the department reaches out to hundreds of students from other departments, to its many alumni, and to the general public.
With recent changes to diversify its course offerings and its major requirements, along with renewed interest in the value of study in the Arts and Humanities, the Department of Music is one of the fastest growing majors at UC Berkeley. We are serving a larger and more diverse body of students, and more Music majors, than ever before.
Position Summary
The Graduate Student Advisor provides guidance and support to faculty and to graduate students in the Department of Music through the full cycle of graduate study: application, admission, immigration, residency, financial support (including stipends, fellowships and employment), academic progress tracking, fulfillment of campus requirements, and finally graduation. Serves as the Department's policy expert and advises on matters of campus policy and Department policy. Supports the Department of Art Practice with the graduate student admissions cycle and student financial awards.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is July 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
STUDENT ADVISING

• Serves as the primary contact for department-wide graduate student communications.
• Advises students on academic and procedural matters relating to degree requirements, progress and completion.
• Tracks student progress and advises students and faculty on requirements for degree/program completion.
• Maintains student academic records in campus systems.
• Identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions to faculty.
• Advises faculty, staff, and graduate students on departmental and university policies and procedures in regards to graduate student programs.
• Attends campus-wide graduate advising (GSAO) meetings, and tracks and reports back to the department about any changes related to graduate affairs.
• Recommends changes to the department's graduate student program policies, practices, and procedures.
• Interprets departmental and campus-wide policies and advises students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, discrimination and other issues.
• Advises students and faculty on campus requirements for qualifying exams and dissertation committees; assists with requests for exceptions.
• Refers students experiencing personal difficulties to the appropriate departmental and campus resources.

RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS

• Serves as point of contact for prospective applicants to the graduate program; advises them on academic preparation and requirements, and on application policies and procedures.
• Manages applications in the campus grad student application system and coordinates faculty review of files, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Generates and sends official offer letters to admitted students in compliance with campus and departmental policy.
• Coordinates recruitment visits to campus by admitted students.
• Provides advice and assistance to international students and scholars regarding U.S. visa and immigration procedures; coordinates with Berkeley International Office to secure the proper visas for international students; assists them with travel arrangements or other help in extenuating circumstances.
• Recommends candidates for the Berkeley and Chancellor's fellowships to faculty.

FINANCIAL AID

• Monitors departmental funds dedicated to graduate student support; recommends allocation of student support expense to those funds, block grants, etc.
• Manages the disbursement of student fellowships, grants, scholarships, prizes and other awards.
• Advises students on financial aid options available within the department, within the campus as well as extra-mural fellowship opportunities.
• Manages process of Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) appointments:
  • Solicits course preferences from students;
  • Makes recommendations to faculty for GSI assignments;
  • Generates GSI appointment letters in compliance with campus policy and the requirements of the collective bargaining agreement; and
  • Ensures timely processing of GSI appointments each term.
• Create and maintain funding history and plan for each graduate student.
• Stays apprised of changes in Graduate Division fellowship policies and communicates pertinent information to department leadership.
• Recommends changes in the department's financial aid package to faculty as appropriate; documents approved changes.
• Helps students resolve problems with their campus billing accounts (tuition, fees, stipends, etc.).

OTHER

• Maintains the department's graduate student handbook.
• Seeks out and participates in professional development opportunities.
• Assists with department events related to admissions, orientation, and commencement.
• Participates in other department-wide initiatives and activities as appropriate.

DEPARTMENT OF ART PRACTICE

• May provide support or consultation as needed for the graduate student admissions cycle using the campus application system.
  • Manages applications ensuring application reviewers are assigned correctly.
  • Interfaces with the Graduate Division to recommend qualified applicants for admission.
  • Assists in drafting and issuing acceptance and award letters.
• Enters student financial awards in the campus system.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of and/or ability to learn University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)
• Advanced degree in Music or a related area (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 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 $75,000.00 - $87,000.00.

• 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 3 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 co vered 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.