The NCAA Initial Eligibility and Admissions Specialist provides comprehensive services and activities, from pre-admission guidance to initial eligibility coordination, advising, and academic support through to graduation. This role is designed to assist and support student-athletes in achieving high academic success and personal integrity while progressing towards their degree.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct admissions and initial eligibility pre-evaluations for prospective student-athletes
• Track admissions status of incoming student-athletes
• Act as liaison between Enrollment Services and head coaches regarding admission status
• Serve as the primary contact with the NCAA Eligibility Center, providing regular reports on initial eligibility status to head coaches
• Collaborate with SDSU’s Certification Officer
• Coordinate student-athlete housing needs with the Office of Housing Administration, Dining Services, and coaches

Key Functions:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the NCAA Eligibility Center and SDSU’s Certification Officer
• Provide pre-admission guidance and support throughout the student-athlete's academic journey
• Ensure clear communication and coordination with campus and community partners to support student-athletes

If you are passionate about supporting student-athletes and contributing to their academic and personal success, we encourage you to apply. Join us in making a positive impact on our campus community. Apply now!

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits-eligible, temporary position anticipated to end on June 30, 2025 with the possibility of reappointment.
• This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Department of Athletics, utilizing the services of over 150 employees, is responsible for the intercollegiate athletics program at San Diego State University. Currently, there are 18 sport programs, approximately 450 student-athletes, and 17 offices in the department. The offices include the following: The Aztec Club, Administration, Athletic Medicine, Business Office, Compliance, Corporate Sales, Development, Equipment, Event Management/Facilities and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Media Relations, Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services, Ticket Office, and Video.

Student-Athlete Academic Support Services provides a wide variety of professional services and activities ranging from pre-admission guidance and diagnostic testing to admission to the University, through post-graduation. The purpose of the program’s services and activities is to assist and support student-athletes in achieving high academic success and personal integrity while progressing toward a degree objective. Services and activities include a specialized student-athlete orientation, pre-admission counseling, referrals to campus resources, holistic student-athlete development programming, academic improvement sessions, tutoring, and individual academic, competency, and eligibility advising and guidance.

For more information regarding the Athletics Department, click here.

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 these 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, Sport Management, 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.

Key Qualifications

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and/or similar database programs.  
• Total commitment to adherence to NCAA, conference, and institutional regulations. 
• Attention to detail is of utmost importance.  Strong communication skills, both written and oral.  
• Compliance with all NCAA, conference, and San Diego State University rules, policies, and procedures is of paramount importance to the university.  All position responsibilities should be carried out in full compliance with all such rules and regulations.
• Two or more years in NCAA Athletics compliance, certification, and/or academic support if an applicant does not have a Master's or post graduate degree is preferred.
• Equivalent to two years of progressively responsible professional work experience in admissions is preferred.
• Ability to evaluate transcripts for admissions and initial eligibility purposes.  
• Knowledge of NCAA initial eligibility and continuing degree progress requirements.  
• Ability to work with various constituencies in a professional manner.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,276 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: $5,276 - $7,517 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 November 25, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by November 24, 2024. 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 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.