Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director of External Relations, the Program Assistant performs varied administrative duties to provide support for commencement, parent and supporter engagement programs and other activities associated with the department. This includes administrative and fiscal support, maintaining budgets, oversight of student assistants, execution of university commencement ceremonies and events, and supporting successful outcomes that effectively engage students, parents and families, alumni and friends. This position is part of a team that develops and supports initiatives for Student Affairs that supports the educational mission, vision, and values of Cal Poly.

This is a full-time, 6-month temporary position with possibility of extension and is eligible for full benefits, including medical, dental, vision and CalPERS retirement.

Department Summary

The Division of Student Affairs promotes student success throughout the Cal Poly experience by providing Learn by Doing opportunities, delivering innovative student-centered programs, supporting personal growth, encouraging lifelong connections, and empowering all students within a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.  External Relations is the unit responsible for providing meaningful engagement for external stakeholders of Student Affairs such as parents, supporters, alumni, donors, and organizational partners of the university. This entails management of the university’s official commencement ceremonies, cultural commencement events, parent and supporter advisory councils, parent volunteer programs, parent engagement programs, commencement operations and policy committees, and a variety of flagship events and programs designed to engage these stakeholders in a meaningful way with the university. 

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills: ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or its equivalent. Type 45 wpm. Four years of general office support or technical experience. (Training at a vocational school or full-time college education may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of college education for 6 months of experience).

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $46,376 - $56,624 Per Year

Classification Range: $46,368 - $72,864 Per Year

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.