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Graduate Program Assistant Jobs in San Jose, CA (NOW HIRING)

NorthEastern

Upward Bound Program Assistant

Oakland, CA · On-site

$20/hr

UB is dedicated to helping participating students graduate from high school with a solid foundation ... Job Summary The Upward Bound Program Assistant provides administrative support to the Upward Bound ...

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All JobsGraduate Program JobsGraduate Program Assistant JobsGraduate Program Assistant Jobs in San Jose, CA

Graduate Program Assistant information

See San Jose, CA salary details

$25.2K

$53.6K

$73.8K

How much do graduate program assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate program assistant in San Jose, CA is $53,585.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,900.00 and $55,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate program assistant?

Graduate Program Assistants are staff members who provide administrative and operational support to graduate programs within universities or colleges. Their responsibilities often include coordinating admissions processes, assisting students and faculty, managing records, organizing events, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies. They play a crucial role in maintaining smooth communication among students, faculty, and external departments, helping to create an efficient and supportive academic environment for graduate students.

How does a graduate program assistant typically collaborate with faculty and students in their daily work?

Graduate Program Assistants play a key liaison role, supporting both faculty and graduate students by coordinating schedules, managing program communications, and assisting with the administration of academic processes like admissions or thesis submissions. They often handle inquiries from students, organize program events, and ensure faculty have the resources needed for teaching and advising. Regular collaboration with academic advisors, department chairs, and administrative offices is essential to keep the program running smoothly and to address any issues promptly.

What is the difference between Graduate Program Assistant vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate Program AssistantResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically a graduate student or recent graduateUsually a student or early-career professional with relevant skills
Work EnvironmentAdministrative settings, academic institutions, or program officesLaboratories, research centers, or field sites
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, and educational programsResearch institutions, universities, and labs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding program support roles in academiaResearch project involvement and technical tasks

The Graduate Program Assistant primarily handles administrative and program support tasks within academic settings, often requiring a background in education or related fields. In contrast, Research Assistants focus on supporting research projects, often requiring technical skills and familiarity with research methodologies. While both roles are common in academic environments, they serve different functions and skill sets.

What qualifications do you need to be a graduate program assistant?

A graduate program assistant typically needs a bachelor's degree and enrollment in a graduate program. Strong organizational, communication, and computer skills are also important, along with familiarity with office software and sometimes specific knowledge related to the field or department.

How much does a graduate program assistant get paid?

The salary for a graduate program assistant typically ranges from $12 to $20 per hour, depending on the institution, location, and level of experience. Some positions may also offer stipends or benefits, especially in research or academic settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate program assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Program Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in office administration, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with student information systems, scheduling software, and Microsoft Office Suite is typically required. Exceptional communication, customer service, and problem-solving abilities help you effectively support students and faculty. These skills ensure efficient program operations, positive student experiences, and smooth coordination of academic activities.
What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Program jobs in San Jose, CA? The most popular types of Graduate Program jobs in San Jose, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Graduate Program Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA? For Graduate Program Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Program Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Program Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA are:
What cities near San Jose, CA are hiring for Graduate Program Assistant jobs? Cities near San Jose, CA with the most Graduate Program Assistant job openings:
Graduate Program Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Program Assistant job openings in San Jose, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,585 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Program Assistant

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$44K - $56K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

University Of California San Francisco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 617 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Involves managing or performing the administrative services or managing the full general operations of an academic or non-academic organization(s). Administrative services include activities in finance and human resources and may also include IT, facilities, or student services. General management activities include long and short range strategic planning in determining the mission and directing all activities of multi-disciplinary departments through subordinate management staff.

In consultation with Graduate Program Manager, the Tetrad Graduate Program Assistant uses professional concepts to coordinate, track and report student progress and assist with event coordination and logistics.

The Tetrad Graduate Program Assistant applies professional Student Services concepts, provides varied student services to students, faculty, and department / school / college management. Works on moderately complex issues. Receives assistance on more complex issues.

The Tetrad Graduate Program Assistant involves a range of student services duties and responsibilities for an academic department. Provides assistance to the program manager, faculty directors, faculty, and students in recruitment, admissions, student orientation and events, and related programs.

The Biochemistry & Biophysics Department is comprised of 26 faculty members and about 200 students and postdoctoral fellows pursuing a range of biological problems encompassing biochemistry, genetics, and cell, structural and developmental biology. The faculty are committed to graduate education and actively engaged in shaping the highly collaborative environment that makes UCSF a special place.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
  • Minimum 1 year of related experience
  • Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
  • Solid communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff, faculty and students verbally and in writing.
  • Solid organizational skills and ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
  • Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
  • Knowledge of department, organization, and University policies, procedures, and directives.
  • Knowledge of department and school/college general and major course requirements.
  • Ability to work in diverse groups, including but not limited to students, staff, faculty, general public, and UCSF and external vendors.
  • Prior experience with undergraduate or graduate-level curricular affairs
  • Prior events planning experience
  • Prior experience with work/task management platforms for managing tasks and projects
     

% 

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

  

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

30

yesStudent Progression: Coordinates and track graduate student progression for Tetrad Graduate Program including qualifying exams, advancement to candidacy, thesis meetings, Thesis talks, rotation reporting and HIPAA/OSHA trainings. Under direction of Program Directors and Program Manager, participates in the development and revision of standard procedures and guidelines for tracking student progression. 

25

yesEvent Planning: Independently coordinate program-related events including poster sessions, research in progress seminar series, student-faculty talks, new student orientation, Tuesday Biochem seminar lunches. Assist with coordination of student recruitment events. Independently organize logistics including establishing and maintaining relationships with vendors and venues, space rental, room reservations, catering, facilities requests, remaining under budget with costs. Evaluate current and proposed related services.

10

yesConferences: Organize faculty planning committee and assist with the coordination of annual program conference including registration, housing, catering, scheduling speakers and transportation, and billing out conference attendees.

10

yes

Financial: Process fee offsets (PeopleSoft), reimbursements (MyExpense), purchasing and contracts (Bear Buy), departmental recharges and reconciliation related to program events and conferences.

Functions as a resource on issues such as researching complex financial discrepancies and provide guidance on personnel policies, serve as the point of contact for policy and problem resolution.

10

yes

Communications: Maintain student database. Maintain program website including updates to news and events, student publications, awards and honors, creating new pages as necessary. Prepare, maintain, e-mail and/or post promotional materials, including print or electronic brochures and posters.

10

yesSpecial Projects: Provide assistance with additional programmatic tasks as requested. These may include such diverse tasks as collating data for training grants and annual reporting, backup for student stipend payments, reviewing/analyzing student documents for CA Residency reclassification.

5

yesProgram Records: Maintain student databases; Gather and analyze data; prepare annual reports on faculty participation in student progress and program events

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