Member Resources Coordinator

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

The Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC) is a 90-year-old student-governed and operated, non-profit affordable housing cooperative near the University of California at Berkeley.  Our mission is to provide quality, low-cost, cooperative housing to students who otherwise might not be able to afford a university education.  The BSC houses 1200 students in 17 room-and-board houses and 3 apartment complexes (ranging in size from 17 to 259 students).  We provide numerous leadership opportunities to students, who perform the majority of the day-to-day functions, working alongside a professional staff of 28 to operate the organization.  To learn more about the BSC please visit our website at www.bsc.coop.  

JOB DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW

The Member Resources Coordinator is responsible for connecting members with resources. They are responsible for executing New Member Orientations and other events. Under the direction of the Cooperative Experience Manager, they are responsible for appropriately addressing and providing support to members with concerns related to mental health, alcohol/substance abuse, sexual harassment/assault, and conflicts in the unit.

The Member Resources Coordinator works closely with members, member leadership,  the Cooperative Experience Manager, Member Education Coordinator, and Mediation and Conduct Committee Liaison and senior management in order to achieve overall organizational objectives. They must have the ability and desire to work with members in a member-controlled cooperative environment.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Acts as the primary liaison to House Managers, Social Managers, and Health Workers, fulfilling the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Central-Level Support and Supervision of Unit-Level Managers Policy

   1. Trains these unit-level managers and provides consistent support throughout the semester.

   2. In collaboration with the Mediation and Member Review Coordinator and Member Education Coordinator, engages in conflict resolution between members and/or managers and that member concerns relating to discrimination and harassment are promptly addressed and resolved

2. Oversee the development and execution of New Member Orientations for BSC members, under the direction of the Cooperative Experience Manager and ETCom.

   1. Develops and provides programming and educational materials to ensure that all prospective and current members are effectively trained and provided with ongoing education in cooperative values and practices, focusing on the mission of the BSC, the Anti-Oppression Policy, rights and responsibilities of membership, the requirements to cooperatively run the individual housing units, and democratic self-governance.

   2. Coordinates the central-level New Member Orientation (NMO) process at the start of each contract period (in conjunction with Member Resources member staff) to ensure that all new BSC members receive basic orientation to the cooperative.

   3. Develops templates, tools, and resources to aid units in performing effective unit-level New Member Orientations that complement the central-level NMO and provide additional information pertinent to their particular unit/community.
      
      
      

3. Acts as the primary liaison to Finance Managers, House Managers, and Social Managers, fulfilling the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Central-Level Support and Supervision of Unit-Level Managers Policy.

   1. Engages in conflict resolution between members and/or managers and that member concerns relating to discrimination and harassment are promptly addressed and resolved.

4. Works in conjunction with and directly supervises the Member Resources Assistant to achieve departmental goals.

   1. These resources include but are not limited to: the BSC Emergency Grant, other financial and basic needs resources, conflict mediation, member advocacy, disabled access support, emergency services planning, party safety programs, member event planning, etc.
      
      
      

5. Oversees the training and support for the BSC Health & Wellness Program by collaborating with the Tang Center/UC resources, ordering health supplies, and directly supervising Health Worker Coordinator’s execution of the program.
   
   
   

6. Oversees the training, supervision, and support for BSC party safety programs and event planning.

   1. Develops and provides training for Social Managers each term, ensuring that party policies, party safety/security, anti-oppression, consent, anti-discrimination, harm reduction, and emergency response are stressed.

   2. Regularly reviews party forms and security plans with units to ensure that parties are well planned, compliant with policy, appropriately themed, and safe.

   3. Works in conjunction with and directly supervises the Social Manager Coordinator to achieve these and other departmental goals.
      
      
      

7. Under the direction of the Cooperative Experience Manager, act as one of the first points of contact for members with concerns regarding members’ health and well-being (e.g. mental health issues, alcohol/substance abuse issues, sexual harassment/assault, stress eating disorders, general health issues, etc.).

   1. Be open, accessible, approachable, and responsive to members who may have concerns or need support.

   2. Provide members information about internal and external resources that may be helpful.

   3. In collaboration with the Member Education Coordinator, work directly with the external organizations and experts to provide unit-level managers and members with proactive training on how to identify and respond to such issues and coordinate appropriate response, resources, and follow-up for specific member concerns.

   4. Strives to be accessible to all BSC members/managers and works to increase communication and visibility, (e.g. by potentially holding office hours, attending house dinners/councils, attending monthly manager meetings, etc.).
      
      
      

8. Under the direction of the Cooperative Experience Manager, implements specific plans for organizational readiness in emergency planning and preparedness.

   1. Oversees unit-level emergency preparedness planning, by providing training/support and ensuring that house managers fulfill the duties outlined in the BSC Emergency Preparedness Plan.

   2. Ensures that the Member Resources Assistant regularly inventories and restocks emergency preparedness kits at the unit and central-level.
      
      
      

9. Promotes organizational commitment to anti-discrimination and inclusion through education, program planning, and policy implementation.
   
   
   

10. Any other duties consistent with the mission of the BSC as they may be assigned from time to time by the Cooperative Experience Manager.
    
    
    

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED FOR JOB PERFORMANCE

1. Excellent management/supervisory skills.

2. Excellent interpersonal and verbal/ written communication skills.

3. Ability to multi-task, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

4. Ability to cope with, mediate, and resolve conflict.

5. Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment and in stress or crisis.

6. Intermediate skill in managing the effective use by others of computer applications to achieve business results (Microsoft Office, business database programs, online business applications, email, etc.)

7. Desire and ability to work with members in a member-controlled cooperative environment.

8. Basic knowledge of personnel policy and practices.

9. The ability to work independently on sensitive, confidential and often complicated issues with tact and political acumen.

10. Ability to develop familiarity with, have respect for and apply consistently, a complex set of organizational policies dealing with the areas of responsibility for this position.

11. Ability to analyze problems/issues, gather data and information, evaluate and recommend alternative solutions, or effect solutions with a tolerance for ambiguity and change, when necessary.

12. Dedication to creating a cooperative, collaborative, creative and highly productive work environment.

13. A mission driven approach to work, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the BSC and its specific mission of providing affordable, quality, cooperative housing to a population that needs help in order to afford higher education.

ENTRANCE LEVEL EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION REQUIRED

1. Bachelor’s degree or minimum of 4 years of navigating college/university student resources particularly in a residential setting and working with university students.

2. Significant experience organizing and leading trainings and familiarity with best practices in adult learning pedagogy and curriculum development.

3. Expertise in providing support, resources, and appropriate response to the many and complex issues faced by populations of college students, (e.g. mental health, alcohol/substance abuse, other health and wellness issues, sexual harassment/assault, etc.).

4. Significant experience working with a college/university student population, particularly in a residential setting.

5. Familiarity with the special issues faced by, and the resources available to, students with a wide range of disabilities.

6. At least two years of management and supervisory experience, including multiple student employees.

7. An equivalent amount of education and/or experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

1. Undergraduate degree, advanced degree or significant continuing education and/or related certifications.

2. Experience in conflict mediation and/or restorative justice.

3. Previous experience living or working in a democratic, member-controlled, and/or cooperative environment.

4. Experience working with the BSC’s target demographic groups, including but not limited to:

●     Low-income students

●     Students of color

●     Disabled students

●     Queer and trans students

●     Previously incarcerated individuals

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to sit for long hours and sustain long hours of computer and keyboard use.

2. The ability to work evenings on a somewhat regular basis is required.

3. Willingness and ability to carry an emergency telephone and respond to emergency calls.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time salaried (exempt) position, with compensation based on prior experience and skill level. The starting salary range is from $73,382.40 to $80,891.20 annually. Benefits include annual cost-of-living increases, annual performance-based raises and/or bonuses, health and dental insurance for employee and dependents, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, long-term disability & life insurance, 403b plan.

TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, you must submit the following with the application process: your resume, a cover letter summarizing your qualifications (required), and a list of three professional references to our Career Center. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

THE BSC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The BSC encourages applications from those formerly incarcerated, people of color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and women.