Job no: 503158
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Temporary, Full Time, Student Services

Position Summary

The College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) is one of eight instructional units of San Diego State University. The College is comprised of ten diverse departments and schools: the departments of Aerospace Studies, Military Science and Naval Science; the schools of Art, Design and Art History, Communication, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Journalism and Media Studies, Music and Dance, Public Affairs, and Theatre, Television and Film as well as ten research centers. The College is staffed by 49 positions comprised of administrative, clerical and technical staff in addition to approximately 260 tenured/tenure-track faculty and lecturers serving over 5,000 majors.

The Dean’s Office is responsible for the creation, implementation and continued support of the instructional, research, and development processes in the College.

The PSFA Learning Specialist and Academic Coach (LSAC) serves as a staff member in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts assigned to the office of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Under general supervision, the position assists and empowers PSFA students as they return to campus in this COVID-transition year to achieve academic success and social adjustment through a variety of activities. These activities include, but are not limited to. teaching learning and cognitive skills for education, conducting academic success coaching, designing and implementing workshops, seminars, and similar activities to support students’ success with the academic demands of higher education while they are still navigating the impacts of COVID.

The Learning Specialist and Academic Coach will support students within the policies and practices of both the College of PSFA and SDSU. The Learning Specialist and Academic Coach will also assist in the establishment of a new PSFA academic support center to include training and coordinating peer and graduate student tutors and mentors.

The LSAC serves as a collaborative team member in the College to support student success, as directed by the Assistant Dean. The incumbent will also serve as a liaison to, and collaborate with, campus student services offices such as Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Ability Success Center, Economic Crisis Response Team, CARES Team, among many other offices in support of our PSFA students.

Some evening and weekend hours will be required.

For more information regarding PSFA Dean’s Office, click here.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, temporary position anticipated to end on or before May 31, 2022, with the possibility of reappointment. This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

Education and Experience

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.

Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required.

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.

Specialized Skills

• Experience in advising, tutoring, and curriculum advising diverse students along the academic spectrum including, promising students, students in the middle or high achieving students.
• Active listening skills.
• Ability to assess individual impairments on learning.
• Program development.
• Excellent organizational, and leadership skills within a diverse community.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective relationships with demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration with students, administration, and the campus community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or post-graduate degree in a related field (e.g. education and learning, learning sciences, cognitive neuroscience, educational psychology, teaching credential, counseling).
• Three years’ experience working in higher education academic resource centers.
• Two years’ experience tutoring or assisting learning related to many PSFA academic programs (communication(s), media, public affairs, fine arts & performing arts, hospitality and recreation management).
• Demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students.
• Experience in fostering or has demonstrated commitment to underrepresented student success.
• Knowledge of a variety of academic disciplines in terms of course requirements and career paths.
• Ability to use initiative to plan and implement program activities and improvements.
• Experience in database tracking and management.
• Excellent communication and customer-service skills: strong interpersonal skills and effective public speaking capability, ability to organize and present ideas concisely and effectively in a multiple channels; able to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully, perceptively, and with compassion; ability to handle effectively a broad range of interpersonal contacts, including those sensitive in nature.
• Excellent organizational skills, be detail and goal-oriented and able to multi-task. Must be able to adhere to strict deadlines and have a demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information and records.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $4,691 per month. CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,691 - $6,683 per month. Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on August 2, 2021. To receive full consideration, apply by August 1, 2021. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.

Applicants with disabilities and applicants who require assistance completing an application may contact Meracle Cothron at mcothron@sdsu.edu.

Advertised: Jul 19, 2021 (4:00 PM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled