Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of the Center for Student Organizations & Activities, the Student Life Advisor for Student Organizations and Activities has primary responsibility for providing consultation, guidance, mentorship, leadership, support, and coordination, through programming and advising efforts, to student organizations, and developing and supporting co-curricular opportunities, events, and programs to enhance student engagement, pride, and sense of community. Under the direction and supervision of the Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the coordination of outdoor space.

The Student Life Advisor is responsible for completion of program-related tasks or projects assigned by the appropriate administrator. The Student Life Advisor in this position also provides back-up generalist support to other program coordinators within the Office of the Dean of Students, including (but not limited to) the Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life, the Glazer Center for Leadership and Service, the Center for Commuter Life, Well-being and Health Promotion, Campus Assistance, Response, Engagement, and Support (CARES), SDSU Connects, and Student Life programs that support retention, academic excellence and enhance graduation rates. Evening and weekend work are routinely part of this position.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. 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. Ability to work evenings and weekends regularly, during the first five weeks of the fall semester.

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity is responsible for the coordination and development of student services and building the inclusive excellence of SDSU's staff and faculty at San Diego State University. Departments include, but not limited to, Assistant Deans for Student Affairs; Career Services; Center for Educational Partnerships, Outreach and Success; Communications Services; Counseling and Psychological Services; Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs; Financial Aid and Scholarships; Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center; New Student and Parent Programs; Office of the Student Ombudsman; Residential Education; Resource Management; Student Ability Success Center; Student Health Services; Student Life and Leadership; Student Rights and Responsibilities; Testing Services Office; Well-being & Health Promotion; Cultural Centers; and programming related to Inclusive Excellence.

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity

The Division works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures, while facilitating an integrated vision and shared responsibility for prioritizing and advancing institutional goals. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through:

• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;
• Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all backgrounds;
• Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty, and staff; and
• Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position upholds the Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, specifically:

“The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by creating and nurturing a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence designed to facilitate the personal and professional success, growth, development, and well-being of all members of our community. We manifest this commitment through our innovative, strategic, and collaborative efforts to develop leaders who believe in and lead others toward practicing civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.”

The Office of the Dean of Students is a department within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity. The Office of the Dean of Students promotes student growth and leadership development through teaching, advising and intentional personal interactions. The Office of the Dean of Students staff encourage and facilitate opportunities for students to connect and engage in the campus community while striving to provide a safe and inclusive campus environment. In addition, the office supports the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students in serving as Liaison to the College of Education for the purposes of coordinating Graduate Student Assistants and Graduate Interns from the Masters’ Degree in Postsecondary Educational Leadership, Specialization in Student Affairs.

Through participation in the activities within the Office of the Dean of Students, students are connected to the University through an array of structured and informal learning opportunities. Students are encouraged, supported, and empowered to pursue academic success, personal growth, an understanding of diverse human experiences, and compassionate activism on and off campus.

For more information regarding the Center for Student Organizations & Activities, click here.

Education and Experience

Possession of the knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

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. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Experience advising and/or counseling students in an academic and/or co-curricular setting.
• Ability to multitask with day-to-day changes in priorities.
• Ability to effectively handle and complete several ongoing projects and activities in a work environment characterized by frequent interruptions.
• Ability to effectively use Google Suite, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create and analyze reports, manage data, resource materials and presentations.
• Working knowledge of or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of university policies, procedures, rules and regulations and their application to student organizations, student activities and expression, and student governance structures preferred.
• A Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Counseling, or Social Work is preferred.
• One year of experience in university-based student activities, student development, leadership education, or civic education/community service programs is preferred.
• Ability to design and implement programs and services to meet identified student needs and campus needs.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate descriptions of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze the problem, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals, groups, or organizations.
• Ability to assist in identifying program goals and assist with developing long range objectives to meet those goals.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and evaluate student-oriented events and programs.
• Working knowledge of basic principles of student development theory as it applies to both individuals and groups.
• Ability to work with an ethnically and culturally diverse student population.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and trustworthy professionalism with staff, faculty, and students.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to conduct basic research.
• Ability to demonstrate respect and sensitivity towards cultural differences.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends regularly, especially during the first five weeks of the fall semester.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $4,610 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.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,610 - $6,556 per month.

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on May 24, 2023. To receive full consideration, apply by May 23, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.

CSU Vaccine Policy: The California State University has established a policy requiring faculty, staff, and students accessing campus facilities to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To access the SDSU campus, you must be fully up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster if you are eligible for one, or request a medical, religious, or off campus exemption, as applicable.

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 and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, 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 SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.