Academic HR Analyst 3 (7715) - Astronomy

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The Department of Astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley is a world-renowned academic unit dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and discovery in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. Located in Campbell Hall, the department offers robust undergraduate and graduate programs that provide comprehensive instruction and hands-on research opportunities across a broad range of areas, including theoretical and observational astrophysics, infrared, optical, and radio astronomy, galactic dynamics, high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, and star and planet formation. Faculty, students, and researchers collaborate closely to advance understanding of the universe through innovative research, data analysis, instrument development, and scholarship, while also contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives across campus and partnering research units. The department fosters a collaborative, inclusive academic environment that supports student success, scientific exploration, and public engagement in the astronomical sciences.

The Academic Human Resources Analyst 3 provides high-level academic personnel support for the Department of Astronomy and, as assigned, supports academic personnel administration for CalTeach and other departments within the Math & Physical Sciences (MPS) Division. Approximately 50% of the position is dedicated to the Department of Astronomy, which serves as the home department for this role, with approximately 25% allocated to CalTeach and an additional 25% supporting MPS divisional needs, all under the general direction of the Astronomy Department Manager. The position is responsible for administering, developing, and applying academic personnel policies and procedures for Senate and non-Senate faculty and other academic appointees, including recruitment and appointments, academic reviews and advancements, compensation and salary administration, leaves and sabbaticals, faculty equity, awards and recognition, work-authorization and visa matters, and academic personnel records management. The role serves as a primary resource on academic HR policy interpretation, ensuring compliance with systemwide, campus, and divisional requirements, and acts as a strategic advisor to department leadership on moderate to complex academic personnel issues. The position works closely with the Mathematical & Physical Sciences Dean's Office, Academic Personnel Office, Berkeley Regional Services, and other campus partners to support accurate, timely, and compliant academic personnel administration.

The First Review Date for this job is: February 26, 2026 - Open Until Filled

35% Academic Personnel Case Administration & Faculty Lifecycle Management

• Manages the full cycle of academic personnel actions for Senate and non-Senate faculty, including appointments, reappointments, recalls, promotions, merits, advancements, leaves, sabbaticals, and separations.
• Determines and assembles required materials for academic case review and corresponds directly with faculty to solicit documentation and required submissions.
• Prepares, drafts, and submits complete academic personnel cases in coordination with the Department Chair and Department Manager, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with campus and systemwide policies and timelines.
• Integrates course evaluation summary data into academic cases and uploads materials into AP Bears and related academic personnel systems.
• Drafts correspondence, case summaries, and reports on behalf of the Department Chair.
• Reviews departmental recommendation letters for accuracy in salary components, appointment data, and compliance with academic personnel guidelines.
• Tracks faculty career progression and manages annual updates to academic personnel records, including faculty leave records and sabbatical eligibility.
• Administers faculty awards, recognition activities, and related nomination processes, advising faculty on eligibility, timelines, and documentation requirements.

25% Academic HR Policy Interpretation, Advising & Strategic Consultation

• Provides strategic advice and consultation to the Department Chair and Department Manager by analyzing and interpreting systemwide and campus academic personnel policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Counsels Senate and non-Senate faculty and other academic staff concerning moderate to complex work-related issues, including compensation, academic appointments, leave eligibility, benefits considerations, faculty equity, and faculty advancement.
• Analyzes and interprets policy and procedural changes and advises department leadership on impacts to departmental practices and academic personnel administration.
• Participates in faculty meetings and departmental committees to provide academic HR guidance and policy interpretation.
• Maintains direct working relationships with the Dean's Office, Academic Personnel Office, Berkeley Regional Services, and other campus partners to resolve complex academic HR issues and ensure compliance with policy and contractual requirements.
• Advises faculty on short-term visiting scholar and volunteer appointments and works with HR partners to ensure documentation and approvals are complete and accurate.
• Serves as the primary departmental resource on academic HR policy interpretation, ensuring compliance with systemwide, campus, and divisional requirements.

20% Faculty Recruitment, Searches & Academic Reviews

• Coordinates and administers faculty and academic staff searches for Senate and non-Senate titles, including drafting search plans, placing advertisements, and ensuring compliance with affirmative action and equal opportunity requirements.
• Serves as the point of contact for AP Recruit and related systems; maintains and tracks applications and conducts initial screening of submitted materials.
• Provides guidance and support to search committees throughout the recruitment and review process, including developing tools to streamline voting and review activities.
• Coordinates candidate recruitment logistics, including travel arrangements, itineraries, and related onboarding activities.
• Serves as liaison with departments involved in shared searches or appointments to ensure consistency, coordination, and timely completion of academic search and review processes.

15% Academic HR Operations, Systems & Records Management

• Liaises with Campus Shared Services and Berkeley Regional Services on academic personnel actions, including appointments, reappointments, leaves, payroll, and related transactions.
• Manages and maintains academic personnel records in compliance with records retention, privacy, and audit requirements.
• Manages annual updates to faculty information in AP Bears and related academic HR systems.
• Coordinates with the Dean's Office Budget Officer regarding faculty start-up, retention, and related funding as it pertains to academic personnel actions.
• Advises faculty and department leadership on work-authorization and visa-related matters (e.g., H-1B, J-1) in coordination with campus partners.
• Utilizes campus systems and tools (e.g., AP Bears, AP Recruit, UCPath-related reports) to track deadlines, ensure data integrity, and support accurate academic personnel reporting.

5% Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Ability to analyze complex and nuanced academic personnel policies and apply them to a wide range of faculty and academic staff situations, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional guidance and strategic advice to department leadership, faculty, and academic staff on academic personnel matters, including appointments, advancements, compensation, leaves, and faculty equity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, accurate, and confidential correspondence, case materials, and reports on behalf of department leadership.
• Ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion, integrity, and adherence to records management, privacy, and data protection requirements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to independently prioritize multiple academic personnel actions and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced academic environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills to identify issues, assess risk, and develop practical, policy-compliant solutions to moderate to complex academic HR challenges.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with campus partners, including the Dean's Office, Academic Personnel Office, Berkeley Regional Services, and other central units.
• Ability to adapt to changing policies, procedures, and systems and maintain current knowledge of academic personnel rules, deadlines, and best practices.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and cultural competence, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

• Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply and interpret University of California, campus, divisional, and departmental policies and procedures governing academic personnel administration.
• In-depth knowledge of systemwide academic personnel policies, Academic Personnel Manual (APM), collective bargaining agreements applicable to academic titles, and campus academic review and recruitment processes.
• Proficiency with academic HR and campus systems such as AP Bears, AP Recruit, UCPath-related reports, CalAnswers, and standard office productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office).

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 $82,800 to $105,000 yearly ($6,9000 to $8,750 monthly); the full salary range for this title is $82,800 to $149,800 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

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 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.