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 makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.
Departmental Overview
The Disabled Students Program (DSP) promotes an inclusive environment for students with disabilities. We equip disabled students with appropriate accommodations and services to achieve their individual academic goals. We are dedicated to supporting disabled students and collaborating with the campus community to remove barriers to educational access. We believe that an accessible environment universally benefits everyone. DSP also has responsibility for fiscally managing a Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services federal grant. The DSP Scholars Student Support Services (SSS) Learning Specialist works in a challenging and complex environment where DSP's services to students are legally mandated by federal and state law and therefore must be provided even as the student need for these services increases each year.
Position Summary
The DSP Scholar Learning Specialist plans, develops, and implements programs, processes, and activities for DSP Scholars SSS students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state law to assure their access to the academic and campus environment. Working within an interdisciplinary team, this position coordinates Department of Education grant-required services for students with disabilities, providing direct services to 250 students and managing an academic advising caseload of 125 DSP Scholars SSS students.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is October 22, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
Student Academic Support
- One-on-one tutoring, coaching, and academic support to students who require assistance with study skills, time management, test preparation, and other academic challenges.
- Manage a caseload of 125 students and provide academic support to 250 students through virtual and in-person workshops and in group settings.
- Assist the DSP Scholars Director with the hiring and training of six or more peer academic coaches and tutors.
- Under the direction of the DSP Scholar Director, recruit participants by participating in on-campus recruitment events, completing interviews, and creating student success plans.
- Work independently and collaboratively, and have the ability to keep clients' information confidential; work flexible hours (occasional evenings and weekends) as required.
Learning Strategies and Assessment
- Collaborate with Disability Specialist and other student support services to design and implement strategies that support students with diverse learning styles and abilities, including those with learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health disabilities, or other academic barriers.
- Provides student learning and outcomes assessment evaluations for all contacts and DSP Scholar programming.
Workshop Development and Implementation
- Organize and lead workshops on study skills, test-taking strategies, time management, reading comprehension, and writing skills for students in both group and individual formats.
- Design and develop new initiatives, leveraging evidence-based practices and creative problem-solving to meet the evolving needs of our diverse student populations.
Collaborative Partnerships
- Work closely with Disability Specialists, academic advisors, counselors, and other student services staff to identify students who may benefit from academic support and ensure appropriate referrals are made.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders as a thought partner to design and implement innovative strategies that enhance student learning and success.
- Help build positive relations within the team and external parties, including collaborating with key campus stakeholders such as the Residential Academic Centers, Academic Departments, Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, and other Student Support Services (Transfer Classic SSS and STEM).
Program Support and Administration
- Provide a welcoming and safe environment for students and staff to succeed in the DSP Scholars program.
- Support students, staff, and faculty by attending and participating in campus events.
- Maintain accurate record-keeping of the student's counseling and coaching sessions and prepare reports about their activities.
- Work with the Student Support Service Coordinator to produce a monthly newsletter and coordinate use of the Slottman Hall Unit One for program activities and operational hours.
Technology and Reporting
- Promote and assist students in using assistive technology tools (e.g., text -to-speech software, screen readers, note-taking tools) to enhance their academic performance.
- Track and monitor students academic progress, document tutoring sessions, and provide regular reports to the Director and administration on student outcomes and support effectiveness.
- Provide administrative support to the DSP Scholar Program and create necessary evaluative reports.
Communications and Web Maintenance
- Work with the Student Support Service Coordinator to create fliers/announcements, upload pictures, and ensure all program information stays current, relevant, and up to date.
- Work with the Director and the Student Support Service Coordinator to keep the DSP Scholars web pages current, accessible, and uniform.
Student Advocacy and Professional Development
- Serve as a resource and advocate for students in navigating academic challenges and seeking the appropriate accommodations and support resources available at the university.
- Develop and implement strategies to actively engage students in their learning process, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
- Utilize a variety of approaches, including personalized support, interactive activities, and continuous feedback, to maintain student motivation and retention throughout their academic journey.
- Stay current with best practices in learning support, educational technology, and student success strategies. Attend relevant workshops, conferences, and training sessions to enhance your professional knowledge.
Required Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of learning theories, educational psychology, and instructional strategies for diverse learners.
- Familiarity with assistive technology and adaptive learning tools.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population and collaborate across departments.
- Compassionate and patient approach to working with students with varied academic needs and backgrounds
- Strong ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize student support activities.
- Ability to inspire and encourage students to reach their academic potential.
- Proficiency in using learning management systems and other educational software.
- Minimum two years of relevant experience working with students with multiple disabilities, preferably in a post-secondary education setting or equivalent.
- Prior professional experience with program development, implementation, assessment and reporting.
- Direct experience with coordination of academic support programming for students with disabilities, preferably in a post-secondary setting.
- Experience as a learning specialist, providing academic support to students with learning differences.
- Direct experience and proven ability to provide programming, advisement, retention, and outreach for low income, first-generation, and students with disabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and supervise student academic coaches.
- Demonstrated experience in and ability to meet multiple deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced team environment with competing priorities.
- Knowledge of federal and state laws such as FERPA, HIPAA, ADA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act laws.
- Demonstrated advanced computer proficiency and analytical skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and enterprise systems and programs.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a unique, complex, academic, student-focused environment.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, and ability to build and maintain effective relationships at all levels within the University and with outside agencies as well.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate student needs and campus responsibilities to faculty, staff, and students throughout the organization.
- Demonstrated cultural proficiency in connecting with and serving students from varying cultural backgrounds.
- Must function proficiently in both a Mac and PC environment.
Education / Training
- Advanced degree in education, counseling, psychology, academic advising, student development, special education/teaching, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field, and/or equivalent experience or training. (Required)
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 range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $76,230.00 - $86,683.00.
- 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 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 covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for Student Services and Advising Professionals (SV). More information is available at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/resources/employment-policies-contracts/bargaining-units/sv-student-services-and-advising-professionals/contract/
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.
