OPT Partnerships Associate Jobs

INTRODUCTION

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.

DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW

Located within the world's finest public university and one of the most diverse regions in the nation, the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare strives to transform the systems that perpetuate poverty and social disadvantage. Berkeley Social Welfare develops effective leaders and scholars committed to solving complex social problems; produces, disseminates, and utilizes research to improve social-service delivery and policy through critical thinking and evidence-based knowledge; and prepares the next generation of culturally-competent social workers, researchers, and teachers dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of our society.

This position will be located within the Berkeley School of Social Welfare, in the Bay Area Social Services Consortium, and the Mack Center on Public and Nonprofit Management in the Human Services. The mission of the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC) and the Mack Center on Nonprofit and Public Sector Management in the Human Services is to expand the knowledge base and capacity of nonprofit and public sector human service organizations by conducting practice research with our agency partners, providing professional development programming, and facilitating regional convenings promoting information sharing and mutual support. This work involves sustained collaboration among County public-sector Executive Directors, Managers, and Supervisors through professional development programs that provide leadership training for mid-level managers and supervisors. In addition, the collaboration includes university researchers, Deans and Directors, and public-sector researchers who jointly develop research agendas, design and implement studies, translate research findings into policy agendas, and program reforms.

Position Summary

The BASSC Research Coordinator & Partnerships Director provides leadership and oversight for the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC). This position is responsible for high-level oversight, coordination, and conduct of practice research activities for BASSC. Additionally, the BASSC Research Coordinator & Partnerships Director manages agency partner relations, providing leadership and oversight of staff functions, including planning, organizing, arranging, and facilitating regular meetings and retreats for BASSC Partners. These partners include county human services agency executive directors, deans and directors of Bay Area schools of Social work, and a range of staff across these groups who come together to address cross-regional policy and program issues. This position reports to the Mack Center Director, who also serves as the BASSC faculty director.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The First Review Date for this job is October 5, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

35%

• Lead practice research activities, including gathering and analyzing qualitative or quantitative data; preparing and summarizing information and/or recommendations, engaging with practice research partners and other stakeholders to co-construct interpretation of research results.
• Leading or overseeing development of protocols and systems needed to engage in research activities such as IRB applications, amendments, or renewals; participant recruitment and consent; secure storage of administrative data, etc.
• Collaborate with BASSC team members, BASSC Agency and University Directors, and their designated staff, to ensure research projects are coordinated and linked effectively with other BASSC work, including workforce development activities, e.g., via supporting translation of results into content for professional development programming.

40%

• Lead project planning and partner engagement activities, including leading planning, overseeing, and executing quarterly high-level executive meetings and other meetings as needed.

Specific tasks may include: Lead various forms of meeting coordination, event coordination, project calendar management, and high-level administrative support; Improve and develop technical and other systems, and interpret, monitor, and analyze information regarding policies and procedures, as well as provide recommendations.

• Provide reporting at BASSC meetings and represent BASSC research at committee and external stakeholder meetings.
• Provide support to meeting co-chairs for meeting agenda preparation, facilitation, and the arrangement of special guest speakers.
• Oversee the coordination and logistics of practical support at meetings (e.g., selecting menu options, ordering food, and overseeing event plans such as room setup, audio/visual needs, interfacing with hotel/conference facilities, etc.).

15%

• Disseminate BASSC practice research via reports, manuscripts, presentations, or other deliverables and collaborate with BASSC team and agency partners to develop new initiatives informed by study results, including analysis of opportunities for collaborative initiatives with community partners and as appropriate, sponsored research with third-party partners.

10%

• Serves as work lead for BASSC staff, Student Research Assistants, and Graduate Student Researchers: assigns and reviews daily work, provides day-to-day guidance and training, and provides feedback to the supervisor for performance reviews.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Knowledge of county human service agencies, including a nuanced understanding of organizational structures, services provided, and client, community, and workforce characteristics.
• Previous experience working in county human services or related settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with agency partners, community stakeholders, study participants, and individuals with a wide range of racial, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience collecting and analyzing social science data, utilizing qualitative and/or quantitative methods, including surveys, focus groups, and qualitative interviews.
• Experience with program evaluation.
• Proficient in the use of Qualtrics, Google Forms, and/or other tools for data gathering; experience with quantitative analytical software such as STATA or R; and/or qualitative analytical software, such as Dedoose, NVIVO, or Atlas.ti.
• Broad academic knowledge and applied background in social services research, proven by successful planning, initiation, execution, and reporting of previous investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, research, and synthesize large amounts of data and/or other information with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, prioritize projects, and meet the demands of a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
• Adaptable to quickly changing priorities.
• Ability to problem solve, troubleshoot, and use sound judgment in responding to complex issues and concerns.
• Active listening, critical thinking, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong ability and willingness to work collaboratively with a small team within a larger University setting, and the ability to learn to flexibly and independently manage tasks, and collaboratively share information to support the collective work of the Consortium. This may mean problem-solving on a wide range of topics and working with a wide range of individuals with sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and care.
• At least one year of full-time experience working on social science or health research projects.
• Ability to take initiative and solve problems independently while understanding when to seek guidance from a manager or others.
• Proficient in the ability to multitask with demanding timeframes while maintaining a calm, capable, and pleasant demeanor with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and professionally with multiple internal stakeholders, external partners, and consultants; requires political acumen, strong relationship management skills, and attention to confidentiality.
• Able to travel up to 20% time and work occasional evenings.
• Prior experience training and/or supervising staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience submitting and maintaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols for human subjects research.
• Prior experience with overseeing or managing meeting coordination and logistics (e.g., with hotel/conference facilities).
• Master's or PhD in public health, social work, public policy, or another related area.

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 $96,075.00 - $143,000.00.

This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.