Temporary Engineering Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Departmental Overview
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is an academic department within the College of Engineering. Academic positions include around 38 tenure track faculty, 4 adjunct professors, 4 professors of the Graduate School, 7 Joint Professors and approximately 4 temporary instructors and, 100+ visiting scholars and post-doctoral fellows.
The department serves approximately 200 PhD students, 35 MS students, 1860 Master of Engineering students, 900 Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students, and 200 Aerospace Engineering undergraduate students. The Aerospace Engineering program is a college-wide initiative currently housed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, sharing administrative services (including student services) with the Department.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is actively engaged in teaching and research in the disciplines of Biomechanical Engineering, Controls, Design, Dynamics, Energy Science and Technology, Fluids, Manufacturing Materials, Mechanics, MEMS and Nano, Ocean Engineering, Robotics, and Aerospace Engineering with research and instructional laboratories in Etcheverry Hall, Hesse Hall, and the Richmond Field Station.
The Department's mission is to provide high-quality instruction at all levels, prepare undergraduate and graduate students for leadership in the profession, perform high-impact research, and serve the campus, the State and the nation.
The Student Services Director is accountable for the Student Services Unit, which includes but it is not limited to both undergraduate and graduate programs. Responsibilities include management and professional development of staff; strategic planning and assessment for the department's student services functions; development and implementation of student services related policy and procedure; curriculum planning and placement of Academic Student Employees (ASEs); and the financial management of departmental fellowships, scholarships, awards, and block grant funds. The incumbent is the primary departmental resource in all student services related areas and works collaboratively with the Chair, Vice Chair of Instruction and Vice Chair of Graduate Studies, Director of Administration, and faculty committees to achieve the department's academic objectives. The incumbent is an essential part of the department's administrative management team and works with the Director of Administration and with other department managers to ensure the success of the department as a whole.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: April 16, 2026 - Open Until Filled
Responsibilities
30% Program Planning and Management: Holds full functional accountability for department's graduate and undergraduate student services programs. Independently manages the administration and operation of department's Student Services Unit and has broad authority and oversight responsibility in related matters, including but not limited to academic advising, career counseling, recruitment, admissions financial aid, the evaluation and awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, student orientations and events (e.g., Commencement, Golden Bear Orientation, CalDay, Graduate Preview Day, Graduate Orientation, Alumni Day, etc.), curriculum planning and scheduling, enrollment management, instructional support (GSI, Readers & Tutors), alumni relations, and other related programs, and other related programs. Leads analysis, forecasting, and strategic efforts as they relate to student services, and builds and maintains the administrative and organizational capacity of the department's Student Services Unit. Evaluates the effectiveness of the student services function and makes changes to the program to provide better service to organizational management, faculty, and students. Responsible for conceptualizing, developing, implementing, assessing and managing student support service models that promote students' academic success. Analyzes, develops, and modifies programs, methods of advising and procedures in student services to integrate University and department directives within Student Services. Develops, interprets, and administers student services programs. Researches and facilitates implementation of technologies, including database and web-based systems to enhance the delivery of programs and services. Participates in Department, College, and campus taskforces and committees and serves as the primary department administrative representative on all matters related to student services. Incumbent assists those requesting tutorial help in finding and receiving financial assistance. Manages the registration process, including SIS, Cal Central add/drop processes and pre-registration advising. Ensures that students are informed of deadlines and details of registration, course changes, and international exchange opportunities; assists exchange students in adjusting to life within the department. Advises the campus Director of the Berkeley International Office (BIO) on financial issues regarding the ME international students. Advises the Faculty and Staff Directors of Campus Shared Services, the Engineering Research Support Organization (ERSO) on Graduate Division and Departmental policies affecting ME students employed on faculty research grants. Develops, interprets, and administers student services programs. Evaluates the effectiveness of the student services function and makes changes to the program to provide better service to organizational management, faculty, and students. Represents the student services unit to the campus community and relevant external constituencies. Oversees all professional staff services, practices, and procedures relating to students' progress in ME BS, MS, 5th Year MS, PhD, and Professional MEng Degree programs, along with the Aerospace Engineering BS, from admission through graduation. Incumbent has full responsibility for implementing and coordinating programs at all levels of study, including drafting policy statements, establishing of administrative procedures, and negotiating with the Berkeley Graduate Division or the Office of Admissions & Records and Registrar to ensure consistency with University and System-wide policy. Assesses administrative problems that may arise affecting staff or students, investigates alternatives, devises and implements solutions. Interfaces with campus offices to determine approaches to resolving problematic student issues. Applies high-level knowledge of student services administration and innovative problem-solving skills. In accordance with Departmental, College, and University policies, and in compliance with the ADA, implements student advising for ME Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degree programs, along with the Aerospace Engineering BS, by acting on behalf of the Vice-Chairs and as well as for a variety of ME Departmental committees. Responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and implementing student support service models that promote students' academic success. Assesses overall student services needs, plans appropriate responses. Creates models and grows the new programs, ultimately institutionalizing and delegating their ongoing operation as appropriate. Establishes programmatic goals for ME undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Provides direction to professional Student Services Advisors, Department Chair, Vice-Chairs, Equity Advisor, Faculty, and Director of Administration on the more complex issues encountered.
25% Supervision and Staff Management: Directs and supervises career student services staff. Actively promotes professionalism and career development and facilitates a collaborative, team approach within the Student Services Unit. Provides direction to professional student services staff on the more complex issues encountered and ensures Advisors are upholding college, university and department policies and following appropriate procedures. Sets priorities for the unit; directs and monitors work flow and evaluates performance. Evaluates and develops new procedures for greater accuracy and efficiency in pursuit of Student Services Unit priorities. Ensures effective cross-training and reallocates responsibilities and tasks as needed. Communicates regularly with staff to ensure implementation of team initiatives and projects. Trains staff on new and established policies and procedures. Collaborates with the Director of Administration to meet the permanent and temporary staffing and functions with autonomy. Represents the unit at campus meetings or committees. Manages the accountability and stewardship of campus resources (operational, financial, and human resources) in compliance with departmental and campus wide goals and objectives. Ensures subordinate professionals adhere to defined internal controls. Manages systems and procedures to protect departmental assets. Develops staff job descriptions, and recruits, hires, trains, and develops them. Makes decisions on performance, recommends salary actions, and performs other human resources related issues of managed staff. Completes performance evaluations and is responsible for resolution of personnel issues or actions, in compliance with applicable campus human resource policies and procedures. Recognizes issues that have campus impact or future implications and advises the managed employees accordingly. Provides guidance and mentoring to Student Services Advisors. Decides which resources will be committed to goals and objectives and how they will be allocated. Ensures uninterrupted department operations by serving as the primary backup for the Director of Administration.
15% Program Policy Development & Enforcement: Interprets and maintains expertise in complex and changing university, campus and college student services requirements and policies and analyzes impact of changes on department. Advises the Chair, Vice-Chairs and Director of Operations on the formulation of related department level policies and procedures. Directs and oversees the implementation of all policies within Student Services. Ensures department compliance with federal, state, college and university laws/regulations as they apply to all aspects of undergraduate majors and graduate students. Ensures compliance checks are conducted on a periodic basis and takes proactive corrective actions as needed. Serves as primary advisor to faculty members and other staff on department and college policies, rules, and regulations, as well as all relevant procedural matters related to student services. Coordinates orientation and training regarding student services policies and practices for new department faculty. Effectively balances dual roles of student advocate and department representative, promoting student success while enforcing policies and protecting the integrity of the Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering degrees. Grants exceptions to departmental student services policies related to admissions and transfer credit when judged appropriate. Maintains a strict code of confidentiality demonstrating an appreciation of ethics of the student services profession and a solid understanding of the regulations and limitations of the Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) as set by the university Registrar and ensures compliance within Student Services. In collaboration with programmatic advisors in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, writes and edits hard copy and web based materials, including undergraduate and graduate handbooks, brochures, informational handouts, and guidelines, relating to ME and Aerospace Engineering student programs.
15% Financial Oversight/Administration: Plans, develops, and administers the student services budget for the organization. Manages and administers a combined budget of approximately $1 million of block grant and ME Endowment funds. Informs students of awards and tracks award histories. Ensures all awards meet the funding terms. Assumes primary responsibility for the ME department Temporary Academic Support (TAS) budget, which totals over $2.6 million per year. Provides analysis of these funding resources for maximum efficiency of utilization. Makes frequent and timely reports to department leadership. Tracks award histories and monitors all student-services-related funds throughout the year. Responsible for all aspects of graduate fellowships (internal and external). Coordinates financial support to graduate students meeting departmental commitments. Oversees the administration and coordination of internal and external undergraduate scholarship competitions. Responsible for compiling information for various surveys, i.e., Big10+ and Miscellaneous special projects. Responsible for staff overseeing the Department's allocation and utilization of ASE appointments.
10% Curriculum Planning and Scheduling: Serves as an active member of the Department's Undergraduate Studies Committee. In consultation with the Vice-Chairs, applies in-depth knowledge of department requirements and enrollment trends to recommend courses to be taught by the department in support of the undergraduate and graduate degrees each semester. Oversees all administrative aspects associated with class scheduling, enrollment management, and student evaluations of faculty, lectu...