J.S.D. Academic Advisor (5141C), Berkeley Law #89828

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Departmental Overview

The Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) is Berkeley Law's most advanced law degree, preparing its graduates to excel in careers in teaching and legal scholarship anywhere in the world. Our J.S.D. program emphasizes independent research and writing leading to the completion of a dissertation of publishable quality, representing a significant contribution to a candidate's field of study.

Position Summary

The J.S.D. Academic Advisor exists to support the students in the Law School's Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) program as they complete coursework and independent legal study, and to meet their unique needs as a small cohort who are also scholars working in different fields. At Berkeley Law, the J.S.D. enrolls international scholars who plan to return to their home countries and enter legal academia as an expert in their chose field of study. It is typically a three year degree program, and while at Berkeley Law the J.S.D. students require specialized academic advising to ensure they are moving through the program on track to meet the three year timeline and to meet all degree and graduation requirements. (Like other doctoral programs, the J.S.D. culminates in the student writing a dissertation of publishable quality and making a significant contribution to their field.) This position also exists to serve as the single point of contact for J.S.D. students as they engage with other campus offices such as BIO (for visa issues), housing, financial aid, and Graduate Division and to address other issues related to program enrollment and completion should they arise. In particular, the Advisor will support students around financial aspects of program completion. The J.S.D. Academic Advisor will consider options to increase student engagement and to meaningfully integrate J.S.D. students into the broader Law School to ensure they have access to all of the academic resources available to them while studying here. Finally, this position will represent the program externally such as providing information to prospective applicants, facilitating review of applications, and broadly publicizing the program, its students, and post-graduate outcomes.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is November 20, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising & Support

• Provides specialized academic advising to J.S.D. students on program policies, curriculum requirements, degree progess, and institutional issues.
• Monitors and evaluates student academic progress and advises students on appropriate educational choices, course planning, and decisions for timely degree completion.
• Ensure students are on track to complete the J.S.D. program in accordance with timelines, including progress toward dissertation completion and submission.
• Reviews doctoral dissertations and meets with students to provide feedback and guidance.
• Advises students with academic progress challenges, identifies potentional barriers, and develops or recommends appropriate strategies and resources to address or remediate those challenges.
• Interprets academic policies and procedures and recommends appropriate actions to faculty and program leadership at the Law School as it relates to academic conduct, discipline, or other student concerns that require further review.
• Connects students with appropriate faculty, library resources, campus services, and other academic or student support resources to facilitate successful progress through the program.
• Maintains appropriate records of student advising and academic progress in accordance with institutional policies and practices.

Academic Planning

• Contributes to curricular and academic planning for the J.S.D. program in collaboration with the faculty, department leadership, and Asstistant Dean of Academic Planning.
• Develops and participates in orientations, workshops, information sessions, and other programs to inform students of various curriculum pathways, degree requirements, academic milestones, and available resources.
• Stays informed about developments in the curriculum, interest areas, faculty specialities, and other relevant information to assist J.S.D. students in determining their course progression(s) or to provide other related academic advising.
• Identifies recurring student needs or issues related to academic planning and communicates recommendations to appropriate program or academic leadership.

Financial Review & Advising

• Reviews and evaluates students financial needs and advises students regarding available funding resources and financial aid processes.
• Advises the Faculty Director on the equitable allocation of financial support and funding.
• Partners with and advises the Faculty Director of the Robbins Collection in the review and selection process for the Robbins-funded fellowships supporting J.S.D. students.
• Coordinates with the Financial Aid Office to facilitate accurate and timely processing and posting of student awards and funding.
• Advises students experiencing changes in financial circumstances and assists them in identifying appropriate campus or program resources and potential funding options.

Coordination and Communication

• Serves as a primary point of contact for J.S.D. students regarding academic, enrollment, financial, and program-related questions and coordinates with appropriate Law School and campus offices to facilitate resolution of student needs.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with internal departments, including Admissions, Student Advising, Financial Aid, Facilities, and other Law School units, as well as campus partners such as Berkeley International Office (BIO) and Graduate Division.
• Stays abreast of institutional, regulatory, and program changes or developments that may affect the program and/or J.S.D. students, particularly matters affecting international students' ability to study in the United States; communicates relevant information to students and program leadership.
• Collaborates with standing committees, faculty, and other stakeholders to address student or program issues and coordinates communication and follow-up as appropriate.

Outreach & Recruitment

• Plans and conducts informational sessions, workshops, orientations, and other outreach activities providing guidance to both current and prospective students.
• Provides prospective applicants with information regarding program requirements, application procedures, curriculum, funding opportunities, and other program-related matters.
• Supports recruitment and admissions activities, including facilitating communication with prospective applicants and coordinating information needed for application review.
• Develops and maintains informational materials and communications that accurately represent the J.S.D. program, student experience, academic opportunities, and post-graduate outcomes.
• Supports efforts to increase student engagement and strengthen the integration of J.S.D. students into the broader Law School academic community.
• Represents the J.S.D. program in appropriate internal and external settings and promotes awareness of the program and its academic opportunities.

Additional Duties

• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Engages in professional development and training opportunities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of academic advising, coaching and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of and/or ability to learn University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn department / school / college policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Strong problem identification and solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), and the ability to employ active listening skills, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising, and counseling skills.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and discretion while maintaining a high level of confidentiality. Knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the principles of student record confidentiality, privacy, and appropriate information disclosure.
• Demonstrated ability to provide a high level of customer service and responsiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to handle frequent interruptions and still meet multiple deadlines.
• Experience developing and giving presentations to students; the ability to present information in a manner that is appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, video conferencing platforms. Ability to learn new computer programs and software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• 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.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Thorough understanding of advising strategies particular to the international student population.
• Understanding of and/or ability to learn campus processes and partners across the university in departments that will serve students in the program, and in particular, those that serve international students (or the ability to quickly develop and deploy this understanding).
• Ability to provide meaningful feedback and guidance to enrolled students on their dissertation proposals and dissertation drafts.
• An understanding of the J.S.D. degree and its place in the larger legal education ecosystem.
• Strong public speaking, presentation development and delivery, and overall communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing programs that serve students, ideally graduate students.
• Familiarity with the principles of curriculum development (in partnership with other stakeholders) including pedagogical considerations, theories of student development, and the needs of students pursuing careers in academia.
• Experience working with international students in graduate degree programs.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
• Advanced degree in related area, such as a Juris Doctor, a Master of Law (LL.M), and/or equivalent experience/training. (Preferred)

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 $38,250.00 - $43,680.00 at 50% FTE ($76,500 - $87,360 @ 100% FTE).

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a 50% part-time (20 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.