Job no: 499033
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences and receiving work lead direction from the Director of Student Success Center, the Student Retention and Graduation Specialist will work independently under limited supervision to provide academic advising and related student services for undergraduates in all majors in the College, and to significantly improve the College’s 4-year graduation rate for freshmen and 2-year graduation rate for transfers and to close identified achievement gaps. The specialist will provide leadership and coordination of advising and programs in support of student retention, including proactive outreach and support to targeted student populations who do not meet established benchmarks. These efforts will be informed and supported by the research literature and established best practices, program assessment, data analysis and interpretation, and written reports as needed. Finally, the specialist will serve as a liaison to departments in support of their efforts to improve student outcomes and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and coordination of advising initiatives and programs in support of increasing student retention and graduation rates and reducing achievement gaps.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean, Director, and colleagues to facilitate the design and implementation of a strategic retention and graduation program that will significantly improve the college’s 4-year graduation rate for freshmen and 2-year graduation rate for transfers and to close identified achievement gaps.
• Develop and conduct complex student service advising sessions, both individually and in group settings, as demanded by the needs of identified student groups, e.g., underrepresented students, first-generation students, probationary, disqualified, etc.
• Prepare, implement, and assess intervention plans to proactively support the success of students who are academically at-risk based upon academic standing and/or who do not achieve particular benchmarks, including satisfactory GPA, credits earned, major progress, and general education progress.
• Train peer advisors in the areas relevant to their assignment, coordinating their activities, assessing their individual effectiveness.
• Prepare communications such as announcements and newsletters to promote student success programs, events, activities, and initiatives.
• Provide academic advising and related student services for undergraduates in all majors in the College.
• Provide advising services consistent with CSU, SJSU, and College of Social Sciences policies and procedures. Services may also include management of an assigned caseload in support of the College’s mandatory advising initiative.
• Advise students individually and in groups on topics, such as general education requirements, filing petitions, academic and educational planning, graduation procedures, remediation, and academic probation and disqualification, etc.
• Aid students in improving students’ successful educational strategies such as effective study habits, time management skills, and supportive educational environment development.
• Regularly compile, summarize, and report (oral and written) data elements and metrics in support of the Center’s retention and graduation efforts.
• Serve as a liaison to the departments to support the accurate interpretation and implementation of state, system, and campus academic policies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced experience with advising students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters; recognizing multicultural, multi-sexed and multi‑aged value systems and working accordingly.
• Knowledge of student database management system (MySJSU) and the degree audit software (MyProgress).
• Knowledge of retention strategies and data-driven methods of identifying students who may be at risk of not continuing their education.
• Knowledge of research and observation techniques for the purpose of recording, classifying, and interpreting factual information; and working knowledge of the techniques and methods of interviewing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Ability to gather and analyze data, to reason logically, draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to make verbal or written recommendation/presentations based on these data.
• Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions.
• Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, supervise, and organize programs, activities, and groups.
• Ability to multi-task and work accurately and efficiently within the time constraints and deadlines required of the position.
• Excellent customer service and public relation skills.
• Capacity to handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects and perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment.
• Ability to advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience in advising college students
• Experience with policies, practices, and activities of academic advising and student support services
• Experience developing and providing workshops or other educational experiences
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,900/month - $5,100/month
Hiring Range: $4,204/month - $5,989/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: February 22, 2021 through March 14, 2021. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).

Advertised: February 22, 2021 (9:00 AM) Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Open until filled