"Community Engagement Specialist (5152C), Intercollegiate Athletics - 83556"

About Berkeley

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 Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 300 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include more than 850 student-athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

The Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development aims to be a national model for athletic departments. The Cameron Institute is guided by The California Way framework, which positions student-athletes to perform to their full potential and thrive for a lifetime. We are currently seeking a Community Engagement Specialist who will work within the department's Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development.

Position Summary

The Community Engagement Specialist is primarily responsible for supporting individual student-athletes and teams in identifying and cultivating meaningful community engagement partnerships, projects, and experiences within campus and the larger East Bay community. In addition, the Community Engagement Specialist will contribute to the recruiting process, work directly with the coaching staff(s) they are assigned, and engage in best practices under the Cameron Institute's vision. The Community Engagement Specialist will work closely with the Director of Community Engagement to support the implementation of the vision for community engagement within Cal Athletics.

The Community Engagement Pillar builds a culture of community-minded service within Cal Athletics through reciprocal partnerships and a clear, meaningful engagement framework-connecting every Cal team to a purpose-driven partnership and providing engaged learning experiences that help student-athletes develop the knowledge, skills, perspective, and lifelong commitment to civic engagement beyond graduation.The Community Engagement Specialist is primarily responsible for managing and advising the holistic development of Cal student-athletes.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/22/2026.

Responsibilities

Student-Athlete Advising & Service Learning Facilitation

• Build resources to support the capacity and readiness of student-athletes and teams to engage in meaningful community service opportunities and respond effectively to service requests (this includes developing curriculum modules/protocols, facilitating training and reflection sequences to prepare student-athletes to engage with confidence, and competence within the community, including guided reflection on positionality, privilege, inclusion and community partnerships.
• Support Cal In the Community Educ. 144 Class for credit.
• Assist with student-athlete field site placement, orientation facilitation, and class sites in the community.
• Provide individualized support to coaches and teams to establish short- and long-term partnerships, projects, and service opportunities. This includes conducting interest/needs assessments, as well as subsequent project development and/or partnership matches between community-based organizations and teams based on team interests and community needs.
• Meet with individual student-athletes regularly who have an idea or desire for service to manage and update their development plans (e.g., articulate signature strengths, project plan, plan for community collaborations).
• Support the effectiveness of Student-Athlete Led Organizations (SALO's) and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This includes maintaining effective and streamlined annual processes and programming, as well as advising protocol as needed.

Special Initiatives & Community Events

• Support the development and implementation of meaningful, community-driven annual Cal Athletics-wide partnerships, projects, and annual service opportunities/events, including the Cal Athletics Reading Challenge, Community Field Day, Golden Buddies Football Clinic, and others as assigned.

Partnerships

• Maintain and forge strategic partnerships with campus partners (e.g., Berkeley School of Education, Public Service Center, Blum Center, American Cultures Center, etc.) to integrate student-athletes into UC Berkeley programs.
• Maintain and develop strategic and aligned relationships with external organizations to advance initiatives in sport exposure, access, and early literacy.
• Maintain and develop strategic and aligned relationships with internal Cal Athletics departments (e.g., marketing, ticketing, events, etc.) to collaborate and advance community initiatives with student-athletes and teams.
• Travels throughout the Bay Area to meet with potential partners and build relationships to support the Cameron Institute.
• May include driving student-athlete(s) to community engagement opportunities.

Operational Support

• Maintain and support the implementation of the Community engagement platform, 'Helper Helper'.
• Helper Helper is used to house Cameron Institute and community service opportunities and events, and create a streamlined system for student-athlete sign-up and attendance tracking.
• Support the operational procedures of the Community Engagement Pillar. This includes maintaining the contact database, risk assessment inventory and waivers, event operations, and other needs as defined
• Support the implementation and evaluation of community engagement programming and opportunities.
• Regularly evaluates all programs and systems to ensure they support The California Way and our mission of providing a world-class experience.

Communications and Outreach

• Build connections and maintain relationships with values-aligned campus and community partners. This includes developing MOU's, and regular communication and reporting.
• Support effective, streamlined, and clear communication strategies to build awareness and excitement around community engagement opportunities for student-athletes and teams through different communication and social media platforms (i.e, Instagram, X, Email)
• Support the development and maintenance of the Community Engagement digital 'hub' and website. This includes maintaining team and project highlights, and the most current information about the Community Engagement Pillar.

Other duties as assigned, including professional development

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Strong knowledge of and/or can quickly learn common University-specific computer application programs.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Thorough knowledge of Student Affairs/Student Life specialization.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Abilities in project management, problem identification and reasoning skills.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Exceptional organizational skills, project management skills, and time management skills, with the ability to manage a project from inception to completion.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to follow procedures and community engagement-specific processes.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders.
• Commitment in social justice, deep belief in the importance and value of community-centered service and university-community partnerships.
• Desire to thrive, grow, and innovate in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience organizing effective events that include multiple stakeholders.
• Prior student-athlete development experience.
• Strong advising/counseling skills to help others perform to their full potential.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present in small and large group settings and adapt messaging to multiple audiences
• Curriculum development and facilitation experience; ability to develop training.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including self-awareness, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work effectively in teams while also operating independently.
• Competency in common computer application programs, including Google Suite.
• 2-3 years of experience in Student-Athlete Development, Student Affairs, or Community Engagement.
• Represent the Cameron Institute and Cal Athletics at department and team-specific functions, both on and off campus.
• Scheduling flexibility as nights and weekends may be required to assist in recruiting and team-related activities, including travel.
• Ability to reliably travel to and from the primary work location and other designated sites as required to fulfill job responsibilities.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in developing successful reciprocal and sustained community-campus partnerships and community engagement.
• Competency in Adobe applications.
• Master's degree in 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 $80,000.00 - $88,000.00

• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.