The GGSC is Hiring a Bridging Differences Program Coordinator!
October 9, 2023
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (GGSC) is currently looking for a Bridging Differences Program Coordinator to help support our fast-growing Bridging Differences program.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume as a single attachment to bridgingcourse@berkeley.edu with the subject line “Program Coordinator Application.” We strongly encourage you to apply by November 10, 2023. The review process for applications will begin on November 13.
About the Greater Good Science Center
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (GGSC) studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. Over more than two decades, the GGSC has provided a bridge between scientists and the public, turning research findings into practical resources that support well-being for all. Since its founding, the Center has highlighted the importance of building social connection not only within communities but across groups, offering practical strategies for overcoming bias and prejudice, expanding one’s circle of care, and promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
The GGSC’s organizational culture prioritizes independence, rigor, and the well-being of its members. Staff members enjoy autonomy and flexibility while working in a culture that encourages teamwork, connection, and collaboration. The GGSC welcomes a diversity of experiences and perspectives to inform its work and strives to operate internally by the values that drive its public-facing programs: empathy, compassion, joy, forgiveness, appreciation, and cooperation. Recognizing that the science we cover has been shaped by systemic biases and inequities, we aim to address and correct for these prejudices whenever possible—a goal on which we elaborate in our Diversity Statement.
About the GGSC’s Bridging Differences Program
Since 2018, the GGSC’s Bridging Differences program has mixed science and storytelling to help address one of the most urgent issues of our time: political and cultural polarization. Drawing on leading science and best practices from the field, the program has highlighted the key research-based principles for fostering positive dialogue, relationships, and understanding across group lines, including lines of race, faith, ethnicity, culture, political ideology, and more. It has disseminated these findings via articles, videos, an online course, a Bridging Differences Playbook, and other multimedia resources.
About This Position
Due to building interest and demand, the GGSC is now hiring a Bridging Differences Program Coordinator, who will support the main activities of the Bridging Differences program—including multimedia content production, trainings, partnerships, and communities of practice—to foster a broader culture of belonging in the United States and beyond.
Working under the supervision of the GGSC’s Bridging Differences Program Director, the Bridging Differences Program Coordinator will have a dynamic role, with tasks that vary over the course of the year, including: 1) managing communities of practice and workshop trainings, 2) assisting the production and wide dissemination of multimedia resources on bridging differences, and 3) supporting partnerships with researchers, organizations, and industry leaders.
This is a full-time (100% time) staff position, providing UC Berkeley’s robust benefits package. It will start with a two-year contract, with the goal of extending well beyond that once additional funding is secured. Remote or hybrid-remote working arrangements are possible.
Responsibilities
Trainings and Communities of Practice
- Organize the logistics for virtual communities of practice (CoP), including scheduling meetings, coordinating with guest presenters, and handling Zoom sessions
- Handle communications with CoP participants, from pre-session outreach to post-session follow-ups and responses
- Contribute to the program design of workshops and CoPs, including by suggesting adaptations to their structure and content
- Create slide decks and other materials for CoP sessions and discussions
- Help build participant surveys for our CoPs, guided by input from our research team
- Coordinate the logistics of occasional talks and workshops by our Bridging Differences Program Director, Senior Fellow, or other members of the program team
- Support the content development of training presentations, including by finding relevant research articles and other materials online
Multimedia Content: Project Management & Distribution
- Assist in the production of Bridging Differences multimedia content for various GGSC platforms, by coordinating schedules, managing budgets, arranging shoots, and liaising with vendors, including film crews and graphic designers
- Research potential authors, organizations and researchers to feature on our Bridging Differences multimedia content
- Publicize Bridging Differences content and activities across the GGSC’s social media platforms to engage a broad audience
- Identify channels (eg., websites, newsletters) and partners (eg., influencers, subject-matter experts), to distribute our content, targeting practitioners and leaders serving diverse communities
- Create editions of the Bridging Differences newsletter and Bridging Differences webpages using pre-established GGSC templates
- Support the GGSC’s Bridging Differences online course on edX by responding to student emails, managing discussion boards, and implementing course updates as needed
Partnerships & Field Building
- Manage communications with organizations and leaders to enhance our Bridging Differences work, and identify those we might want to spotlight
- Stay up-to-date with the work of bridge-building organizations and networks, ensuring the GGSC effectively identifies and shares best practices from the field
- Identify professional networks and associations across sectors—such as government, media, higher education, health care, faith, and philanthropy—interested in bridging differences
- As needed, connect with key organizations to understand their experiences, needs, and interests related to bridging differences, enabling us better serve and support them
Required Qualifications
- Excellent project management skills—including outstanding organization, problem-solving, adaptability, and flexibility
- Exceptional written and oral communication abilities, with attention to detail and consistent follow-through
- Strong interest in bridging differences, including across lines of race, culture, religion, politics, and more
- Commitment to cultivate cultures of belonging that are inclusive and respectful of people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, particularly those who have been historically marginalized
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with a collaborative spirit, particularly for navigating conflict and disagreement, constructively sharing feedback with peers, and nurturing long-term professional partnerships
- Well-versed in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Zoom
- Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience coordinating workshops, trainings, or other professional learning opportunities
- Experience in multimedia production in a project management capacity
- Enthusiasm for translating research findings into compelling multimedia content
- Proficiency in online research, with some experience within academic databases (e.g., Google Scholar, PsycInfo)
- Some experience with graphic design (e.g., Canva or other design software)
- Basic comfort with content management systems (e.g., WordPress), newsletter software (e.g., Mailchimp), survey software (e.g., Qualtrics)
- Ability to travel and attend occasional GGSC in-person events (~2-4 times per year)
- Familiarity with—and affinity for—the Greater Good Science Center’s mission and programs
Salary & Benefits
Annual salary is commensurate with experience, within the range of $70,000 to $80,000. This position also offers UC Berkeley’s wide array of high-quality benefit plans, including comprehensive health plans, a valuable pension plan, and optional retirement savings opportunities. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.htm
To Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume as a single attachment to bridgingcourse@berkeley.edu with the subject line “Program Coordinator Application.” We strongly encourage you to apply by November 10, 2023. The review process for applications will begin on November 13.
