MESA Engineering Support Services Advisor

Job no: 563123
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Job Summary

The MESA Engineering Program (MEP) is dedicated to increasing the number of high caliber, industry-ready graduates from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds completing degrees in Engineering, Computer Science, and more at San José State University. Since 1983, the MESA Engineering Program has provided empowerment and support to educationally disadvantaged pre-college, community college, and university students seeking to pursue baccalaureate degrees in science, engineering, computer science, and other related degrees. We achieve this mission by providing high-quality co-curricular programs and access to crucial resources. The MEP program at SJSU celebrates everyone's authentic self, their true personality, spirit, and character. We understand that a supportive community of peers and allies is critical to success. It is our belief that diversity is an asset to our growth and development, and that everyone has the potential to achieve excellence.

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Student Success, and receiving work lead direction from the Director for MESA and Student Programs, the MESA Engineering Support Services Advisor will work under general supervision to provide individual and group advising to students in the MESA Engineering Program. The incumbent will also provide leadership in the development, coordination and implementation of life-skills and career services. The advisor will also support college and campus-wide events on behalf of the college, including summer programs for new students.

The College of Engineering is committed to bringing anti-racism practices into services and operations. This position advances strategic initiatives and ensures day-to-day business functions are aligned with the core values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group advising services that facilitate student success, persistence, professional development, and timely degree completion.
• Assist in implementing assigned program tasks related to student professional development, career readiness, life skills, career transition, internship preparation, and financial literacy.
• Assist students with development of basic employment transition plans, including resume/portfolio preparation, interviewing, networking, workplace communication, and professional ethics.
• Provide confidential and accurate advising, support, and guidance to MESA students, including AB540 & DACA (in collaboration with the UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center), first-generation, low-income, transfer, and historically underrepresented students.
• Assist in development of advising resources, online/virtual tools, and workshop materials relevant to the program.
• Develop and lead group services and activities to support students' personal and professional development.
• Collaborate with Career Center, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, Engineering Student Success Center and other campus partners in the development and implementation of targeted, on-going professional development and career development services and activities for undergraduate students in the MESA Engineering Program.
• Initiate and build collaboration with institutional and industry partners to facilitate student access/knowledge of career opportunities.
• Assist in development and implementation of programs and workshops to prepare students for career transition, employer engagement and successful industry experiences.
• Provide event planning support to college-wide diversity and inclusion conferences and workshops including the Annual Women in Engineering Conference, Conference for Engineering Development, summer programs for new students, and visits by high school and community college groups.
• Manage recruitment, selection, training, scheduling, and supervision of assigned Peer Advisors and/or student assistants.
• Provide guidance and leadership to assigned student staff supporting MESA advising, professional development, employer engagement, career events, and internship-readiness activities.
• Maintain accurate service, advising, participation, event, and partnership data and compile statistical reports.
• Assess services/activities and use results to inform future program development.
• Assist with gathering data and preparation of proposals and/or reports to funders as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive information and communications with students, parents, employees, employers, alumni, and external agencies.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for special events.
• Ability to moderate undergraduate student, alumni, and industry partner forums.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required.
• Knowledge of related software applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software, CMS, virtual meeting tools, career platforms, etc.).
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment.
• Ability to handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects.
• Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Ability to collect, compile, analyze, and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.
• Knowledge of career readiness, professional development, internship preparation, employer engagement, and student success practices.
• Ability to plan and conduct workshops related to resumes, interviewing, networking, professional communication, career exploration, professional ethics, and internship readiness.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with campus partners, employers, alumni, faculty, staff, and student organizations.
• Ability to support students through an equity-minded and culturally responsive advising approach.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field.
• Two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field. A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• MA/MS degree.
• One year with direct experience in advising, career services or higher education.
• Experience supporting underrepresented STEM students preferred.

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,083/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,083/month - $7,228/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: November 6, 2026 through November 22, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

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. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university 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). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. 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.

Advertised: November 06, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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