Housing Accommodations Strategist (7398U) - #79388

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

UC Berkeley Housing is responsible for all applications, assignments, contracts, and billing for both single-student and family university-owned/affiliated housing properties during the academic year and summer. Our mission is to provide the campus community with homes that provide a foundation for the successful acclimation to their academic UC Berkeley experience while meeting the departmental/divisional fiduciary expectations of high-level occupancy. Off- Campus Housing Rental Services specifically assists students, faculty and staff in making informed choices concerning their living arrangements, and it also operates rental listing services for students, faculty, and staff. UC Berkeley Off- Campus Housing Rental Services functions as a bridge between the campus and the community at large, collaborating with the City of Berkeley housing officials and property owners. UC Berkeley Housing is situated within the larger RSSP cluster.

Residential and Student Services Programs (RSSP) is part of the Division of Student Affairs under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor. RSSP provides and manages student housing, custodial and maintenance services, renewal projects, self-operated dining services, campus ID card as well as early childhood & education services for students, faculty, and staff.

Position Summary

UC Berkeley Housing is the unit that manages all inquiries, applications, contracts and billing for new/continuing undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral and faculty constituents interested in living on campus. Our mission is to provide the campus community with a successful transition to campus and their academic careers, while meeting department fiduciary responsibilities by maintaining maximum occupancy in residential facilities. New master leases and public private partnerships (P3s) have increased available housing inventory and housing assignments coordinated by UC Berkeley Housing adding new complexity to our business processes and policies. UC Berkeley Housing is the largest revenue-generating unit in Residential and Student Services Programs.

Strong customer service and responsive but consistent accommodation processes are critical to both the campus reputation and current and future revenue generation.

The purpose of the Housing Accommodations Strategist for UC Berkeley Housing is to oversee the efficient and effective management of the housing accommodations process and the housing assignment process for students with disabilities. The role is responsible for understanding and analyzing the business processes and relevant legislation, creating and maintaining training materials to ensure consistent application of relevant policies and procedures, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending technological solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness. The role involves ensuring that housing assignments for students with disabilities are properly handled, coordinating with various stakeholders to create and maintain accessible housing facilities, and implementing systems and processes to support a smooth housing experience for these specific student populations. The Housing Accommodations Strategist works in a challenging and complex environment where housing services to disabled students are legally mandated by federal and state law and therefore must be provided in a timely manner even as the student need for these services increases each year.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 07/24/2025.

Responsibilities

Provides analyses for complex data, systems and resource projects working directly with all levels of managers.

• Researches, monitors and analyzes regulations, legislation, research literature and UC policies for impact on the organization or initiatives.
• Researches and summarizes best practices in the field.
• Proposes, leads and/or participates in policy and planning committees and working groups related to housing accommodations.
• Provides strategy development for organizational initiatives to increase ADA access in campus housing.
• Continuously monitors, positively impacts, and keeps departmental leadership informed regarding the effective and efficient work flow processes related to housing accommodations.

Manages housing accommodations workflows, StarRez inventory, and document imaging systems.

• Creates and maintains request forms, databases, student-facing secure upload website, and API interfaces and processes for secure document upload and storage.
• Performs software testing and updates for Imagine software for the department.
• Manages the ADA mobility and communication unit databases and ensures maximum occupancy and full compliance with all laws and regulations regarding the assignment of accessible spaces.

Researches and analyzes processes, procedures, policies and organizational structures in order to develop and/or implement changes and to provide consultative services regarding housing accommodations to department administrators.

• Develops strategic goals by researching and recommending system/module improvements, works with campus partners to determine needed functionality for the evolving campus environment.
• Adds and removes ADA bed spaces into the StarRez database.
• Responsible for collaborating with SAIT, Residential Life, Facilities Managers, the Disabled Students' Program, and Disability Access and Compliance to maintain effective business practices and policies.

Conducts post-implementation analysis to determine the need for further enhancements, finer distinctions and/or additional process/policy components.

• Gathers, analyzes, prepares and summarizes business and user needs, documents requirements, creates and maintains user manuals, and revises existing system logic difficulties as necessary.
• Continually upgrades the Housing Accommodations program to meet the needs of the campus.

Develops policies, proposals, training, and recommendations to support the strategic direction of Housing Accommodations.

• Determines levels of access to document imaging software needed by the various users and trains each specifically to their view access and functions they can perform.
• Creates easy to read manuals (complete with visual examples) for staff reference along with leading in-person training sessions on an annual and on-going basis.
• Upon implementation of upgrades/new modules, will ensure all users are trained on the changes.
• Creates complex specifications for systems to meet user requirements.

Researches and drafts complex proposals, reports, briefings, executive summaries for Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of UC Berkeley Housing Administration to present to the Office of President, Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

• Designs and runs various reports for occupancy, demographics, applications, rates and overall housing accommodations statistics.
• Validates data and prepares summaries.
• Collaborates with units to establish need and frequency of reports.
• Provide departmental leadership with housing-related assessment data requests.

Performs ad hoc, analytical studies on a wide variety of policies, programs and issues which are complex in nature.

• Applies technical expertise and business analysis concepts to identify, evaluate and define complex systems, scope and objectives through research and fact-finding combined with an understanding of applicable business systems and industry requirements.

Monitors and analyzes changes in external regulations, legislation, and UC policies for impact on the Campus as it relates to housing.

• Recommends changes in Housing policy to maintain compliance with UC, state and federal requirements.

Coordinates efforts with a variety of external and internal contacts including Graduate Division, the Disabled Students' Program, SAIT, Summer Conference Housing, Student Parent Center, SA Comms, and SA Cashiers.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of StarRez, a housing management software, or other computer application programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey policy analysis findings, present recommendations, and prepare clear and concise policy reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management skills sufficient to accomplish activities within time/resource constraints.
• Strong skills in analyzing, researching and synthesizing large amounts of data for preparing sound and relevant proposals/analyses.
• Ability to perform consistently in an environment of competing demands, frequent interruptions, and fluctuating priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, build relationships, and facilitate consensus among stakeholders with a variety of perspectives and interests.
• Proficiency in analyzing complex systems, identifying process improvements, and designing effective and efficient solutions to meet business needs.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn the campus's technological infrastructure.
• 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.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in working with students with multiple disabilities.
• 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 knowledge of procedures for assessing and determining disability accommodation issues.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws such as FERPA, HIPAA, ADA, FHA, California FEHA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act laws.
• Proficient in Google Suite/Microsoft Suite
• Master's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn department processes and procedures.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in working with students with multiple disabilities, preferably in a post-secondary education setting.

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 $89,250.00 - $103.800.00.

• This is a 4-year, full-time (40 hours/week), contract appointment that is eligible for UC benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

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

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.

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.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.