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.

Departmental Overview

The Berkeley School of Education is a professional school that offers doctoral degrees with 4 concentrations, master’s degrees, master’s/credential programs, and an undergraduate degree.

The school enrolls slightly under 300 graduates and about 300 undergraduates annually. Including visitors, the staffing headcount totals about 500. In addition to research, the school is highly visible in its international, national, state-wide, and local outreach, professional development, and enrichment programs.

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant serves as the principal point of contact between the Graduate School of Education (GSE) Dean and faculty, staff, students, and other constituencies. This position provides comprehensive, confidential, and professional support to the Dean, including coordinating communications and administrative processes within the executive office and among senior management staff.

The Executive Assistant performs and oversees special projects or assignments that are sensitive or complex in nature, requiring a high level of independence and initiative. This position performs a variety of analytical duties in support of the Dean, prepares daily briefings, and assists the Dean and/or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in drafting and modifying documents. Additionally, this position manages internal and external correspondence, contributes to administrative operations, including school-wide reviews and graduate student financial data, and serves as the safety officer and back-up building coordinator.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is July 24, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

• Using discretion and diplomacy, responds to routine & non-routine inquiries regarding department and campus operations, policies, and procedures. Forwards situations and issues presented by staff, faculty, and external constituents to appropriate staff members for resolution. Makes high-level contacts of a sensitive nature internally and externally, requiring a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and time sensitivity.
• Understands the program goals and priorities of the executive, in order to prioritize issues according to urgency and to allocate the executive's time for scheduled events and meetings
• Provides administrative and technical assistance on special projects as assigned by the Dean and Assistant Dean; researches, gathers data, compiles and summarizes issues, policies, and topics; reaches out internally and externally to obtain background, briefing, and meeting materials; assists in preparing, editing, and modifying documents including research reports, manuscripts, presentations, and proposals; prepares, edits, and modifies briefings.
• Participates in the development and implementation of efficient and effective systems for managing information, projects, and communication to ensure accurate and timely responses; functions as a gatekeeper to assure prioritization of the Dean’s time.
• Responds to a wide variety of inquiries from faculty, staff, and students. Uses multiple computer applications to support key administrative functions. Manages the Dean’s task list and follow-up activities to ensure timely project completion. Has primary responsibility for managing and scheduling the Dean’s calendar. Prioritizes the Dean’s time by triaging critical situations as they arise. Collects and prepares information for use in discussions and meetings. Ensures accurate and frequent communication among the Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Deans to support project management. Records minutes or notes of meetings as required. Handles the details of a variety of matters on behalf of the Dean. Drafts briefing documents for the Dean, as well as correspondence and other general communications. Develops and manages a database of contacts, initiatives, and assignments; assists with copying, mailing, and filing.
• Collect, organize, and maintain data for short- and long-range planning initiatives.
• On behalf of the Dean, plans and directs complex events, symposia, receptions, and forums programs. Establishes location, negotiates contracts for catering, set-up, equipment, transportation, and other logistics.
• Serve as backup Building Coordinator.
• Participates in professional development.

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with, or comparable institutional knowledge of, the organization's processes, protocols, and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal regulations such as FERPA.
• Thorough knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs.
• Solid analytical / problem-solving skills.
• Political acumen and sensitivity to differing perspectives and political circumstances at all levels of the organization, the Office of the President, and external constituencies, and/or the ability to learn.
• Strong service orientation and the ability to work proactively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate effectively with staff, faculty, students, alumni/donors, distinguished visitors, government officials, and external constituencies, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, sufficient to represent the Dean and the School with the greater campus community.
• Ability to meet deadlines and to respond to questions in a timely manner.
• Comfort and experience working in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Must demonstrate ability to write and edit well.
• Ability to multitask with demanding timeframes.
• Ability to work successfully with a team and under own initiative.
• Ability to use high-level discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Diplomacy, professional appearance and demeanor, and excellent attendance.
• Available for some evening and weekend activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Training.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

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 $78,930.91 – $102,095.18 (stepped rates). The full pay scale for this classification is $78,930.91 - $126,961.76.

• 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 expected to work primarily onsite.
• 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.

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.