Senior Community Director

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

Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP) is the first introduction to the UC Berkeley campus for incoming students. As such, we ensure the maintenance of a safe and comfortable place for students to live; nourishment of their bodies, minds and hearts; and access to campus resources, including programs designed to nurture their children. Graduate & Family Living (GFL) is a part of the RSSP portfolio, providing critical services to approximately 2500 residents of the family housing unit and approximately 1200 individual graduate students in four graduate student facilities. The GFL team serves as the primary contact for residents and family members in community engagement, wellness, conduct and community standards, critical incidents/emergency response, and safety/security concerns.

Position Summary

The Senior Community Director (SCD) resides in Graduate & Family Living and is charged with providing support to the academic mission of the university by contributing to the students out-of-classroom experience. The incumbent oversees an area of approximately 200-250 households including undergraduate and graduate students who have family support responsibilities and 150-300 single graduate students. Community support includes supporting the family members of the student to assist the student in completing their academic goals. The SCD supervises 3-6 student or part-time employees to implement the GFL experience model. The SCD is involved in developing, implementing, and assessing programs, activities, and processes for residential students, adult family members, and children. The SCD addresses sensitive and emergency situations within the residential community, including participating in the on-call duty rotation. The SCD maintains liaison relationships with departmental, divisional, and campus partners. This position is a live-in position that includes an unfurnished apartment.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: June 25, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Supervision and Training

• Supervise 3-6 student paraprofessional and part-time employees.
• Participate in student, part-time, and professional staff selection processes.
• Execute semi-annual staff training and ongoing professional development activities designed to provide additional training and team building within your direct reports and across GFL.
• Provide employees with formal performance evaluations, feedback, and performance management.
• Meet bi-weekly with each staff member to conduct goal setting, issues review, and ongoing feedback.
• Conduct regularly scheduled staff meetings.

Community Development

• Oversee personal, social, and academic development of community members (e.g., developing programs to support academic success and social engagement; attending community meetings; facilitating community safety, and maintaining visibility).
• Create, advise, and implement community-based programming model.
• Meet regularly with key partners (e.g., RSSP, CAPS, OPHD, UCPD, CSI, Basic Needs) to build and support the operations of the community.
• Encourage living/learning environment through evaluation of student needs and assessing and providing programming and resources from across campus (e.g., Student Parent Project, ECEP, Graduate Division).
• Coordinate and facilitate orientation to the community for students and family members.

Crisis Management and Residents of Concern

• Enforce policies and procedures.
• Facilitate conversations with students, staff, residential family members, and emergency contacts in conduct and crises.
• Ensure timely and thorough completion of the conduct process, incorporating community approach and restorative practices.
• Consult Assistant Directors, Community Standards, Berkeley Housing Team, facilities management (onsite & P3), or other professional staff on conduct actions.
• Participate in SCD on-duty rotation to provide immediate response, consultative support, and crisis intervention to residents in graduate and family housing in 5 locations.
• A response may include responding to resident (e.g., students, family members, children) behavior that is inappropriate, in violation of policy, or negatively impacts others; providing referrals to campus and community resources; consulting with mental health support services; acting as a mediator to deescalate conflict; follow up on residents of concern; and document all contacts according to policy and process guidelines.
• Assist in the direction of paraprofessional and part-time staff and ensure the reporting of information in a timely and appropriate fashion.
• Work closely with colleagues from undergraduate Residential Life, RSSP, Dean of Students, Students Affairs, Graduate Division, UCPD, Fire Marshal, and city fire and police to implement and evaluate crisis response, emergency response, and safety issues (e.g., fire, criminal activity, earthquake).
• Function as a Campus Security Authority under Clery Act and under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Act (CANRA) to report observed/suspected abuse of children, dependent adults, and elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies.

Leadership and Administration

• Participate in and co-chair departmental committees by providing structure, direction, and feedback to the group and further the priorities of the department.
• Regularly update supervisor and team members on progress.
• Oversee department- or system-wide initiatives or collateral assignments.
• Work closely with the leadership team to develop strategy and implementation.
• Collaborate with team members and community partners to gather feedback, provide cross-support to initiatives, and implement community-wide programs.
• Represent GFL on campus committees and work groups.
• Build and maintain positive professional relationships across the department and campus.
• Manage assigned programmatic budget.

Partnerships

• Establish and maintain positive partnerships with other campus teams that impact GFL directly (e.g., RSSP, ResLife, Grad Division, UCPD, CAPS).
• Outreach and build relationships with GFL staff on other college campuses to inform our work with multiple perspectives and ideas.
• Nurture relationships with community non-profits, business partners, and citywide stakeholders (e.g., Section Club, Albany/Emeryville police and fire departments).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• At least 2 years of full-time, professional Residence Life experience.
• Knowledge of student development theory and child development theory or restorative practices.
• Knowledge of University processes and procedures and/or ability to learn.
• Knowledge of advising and counseling techniques and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Supervisory skills such as hiring, training, and providing feedback to student staff.
• Demonstrated experience in judgment and decision-making, problem-solving and organizational skills in a student life environment.
• Skills in active listening, critical thinking, negotiation, problem solving, reasoning, organizing, written and verbal communication, and multitasking.
• Knowledge of risk assessment principles and the ability to evaluate risks and likely consequences.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which may include staff, faculty, and student populations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and/or ability to learn.
• Understanding of University rules and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of Student Affairs/Student Life specialization.
• Comfortable engaging in high-level decision-making and navigating ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, ethnic studies, social work, or related field and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience with Public-Private Partnerships.
• Experience chairing committees.
• Experience working with large residential communities, and autonomous style-work environments.