Alumni & External Relations Specialist 3 (6299U) - Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence (RDI)

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.

The Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence (RDI) is a new multi-disciplinary campus-wide initiative, focusing on advancing the science, technology and education of web3, decentralization and empowering a responsible digital economy. The RDI Center currently includes faculty and students from computer science, finance/economics, and law, and will support 3 pillars: research, education, and community /entrepreneurship. Research areas include foundations for next generation decentralization technologies including scalability, usability, provable security guarantees, auditable privacy, incentive compatibility, systemic stability, and decentralized systems and intelligence, decentralized governance, and
responsible innovation / regulation guidance, etc.

Besides advancing the science, technology and education in this space, responsible innovation is a key aspect of the Center's mission and goals, where the Center will explore new approaches for analyzing and understanding the societal impact of decentralized systems, and help ensure that decentralization technologies will be used in a responsible way
to help protect the welfare of individuals and society, protect privacy, level the playing field and empower innovation, promote fairness, inclusiveness, ethics, and explore legal frameworks to support innovation and regulation compliance. RDI will continue to build upon UC Berkeley's strong foundation and leadership in these areas, as recently recognized and noted below:
#1 university for blockchain in the US,
#1 university overall in the US and
#1 computer science graduate program

RDI will also act as a hub and platform for collaborations globally with other organizations and researchers, as exemplified in leading the first Decentralized Finance MOOC with thousands of students enrolled from over 30 countries. In addition, RDI embraces Open Source, given the spirit of web3 and decentralization technology, and work funded by RDI will in general be in the public domain as publications and open source code. Most recently, the Center became the home for Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator offered in partnership with the Haas School of Business, Berkeley Engineering RDI, and the Blockchain at Berkeley student group.

This position is primarily to support programming activity associated with both the Berkeley RDI Center. Involves activities associated with reaching, serving, and engaging external constituencies through programs, events, products, and services not primarily related to fundraising. Constituencies include alumni, local community, government, as well as the general public. Translates constituent needs and priorities into customized programs to create, enhance, and sustain relationships between the campus and its external constituencies. To manage relationships and communications with the RDI's and the Xcelerator's expert networks and multiple stakeholders, including partners, donors, mentors, teams and students. These networks are comprised of technology firm executives, technical leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs. This set of stakeholders is essential to delivering experiential lectures and learning across all RDI programs. Working with the directors, faculty and other staff, this position manages and maintains consistent communications with this important set of experts and industry leaders. Aspects of this communication and management include: * Maintain RDI's expert networks by working with partner firms, teams in the Xcelerator and various industry expert speakers. Write and edit program communications about the RDI to its expert network and stakeholders. This includes writing of content for social media, newsletters, websites, and all communication outlets. * Working with RDI staff and leadership to leverage the ecosystem of experts and partner firms to support all relevant programming.

This is a 60% FTE (part time), 1-year contract appointment.

The First Review Date for this job is: April 24, 2025 - Open Until Filled

50% Develops and implements programs, events and/or communication strategies designed to inform alumni and other key constituencies of institutional programs, activities, policies, and practices; constituencies may include the general public, prospective students, students, alumni, parents, donors, campus visitors, government and / or community representatives. Under the supervision of the RDI Deputy Director, this position is responsible for operational improvements and external relations for Berkeley RDI and the Xcelerator. This includes assessing new processes and tools, implementing them to create a world-class educational accelerator that involves students and external constituents. Additionally, engages with key stakeholders in the industry to develop and maintain relationships for the purpose of maintaining donor relations and engaging speakers for programming. Collaborats closely with other staff and faculty and Xcelerator teams to ensure objectives and outcomes are being met.

25% Works to ensure a high level of customer service to Berkeley RDI and Xcelerator stakeholders. Works to ensure stakeholders are coordinated and informed of key activities, events and opportunities. Manage high level relationships for Berkeley RDI and the Xcelerator and associated academic and co-curricular programming constituents.

10% May research various topics and gather relevant data to inform unit strategic plans, keeping management informed as necessary and providing input as required. Researches and translates constituent needs and priorities into customized programs to create, enhance, and sustain relationships between the campus and its external constituencies.

10% May mentor less experienced staff members and student interns.

5% Responds to constituent inquiries.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of basic concepts, principles, and procedures of building and maintaining effective relations with alumni, internal and key constituencies.
• Thorough knowledge of the campus, its mission, goals, objectives, programs, achievements, infrastructure and issues of concern.
• Thorough written, verbal and interpersonal communications, tact and political acumen to effectively represent the campus.
• Thorough research, analytical and critical thinking skills, including sound judgment and decision-making skills and skill to correctly identify real and potential problems, advising management as required, and proposing effective strategic resolutions.
• Skill in project management, including event planning and meeting deadlines.

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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,600 to $100,000 ($6,050 to $8,400 monthly) at full time, prorated to $43,560 to $60,000 yearly ($3,630 to $5,000 monthly) at 60% FTE. This is a 60% FTE, 1-year contract position eligible for benefits.

This is a 60% FTE (part time), 1-year contract appointment that is eligible for a flexible work schedule.

This job is part of the Employee Referral Program. If a UC Berkeley employee is referring you, please ensure you select the Referral Source of "UCB Employee". Then enter the Employee's Name and Berkeley E-mail address in the Specific Referral Source field. Please enter only one name and email.

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.

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

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative Action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.