Job Title

Prospect Researcher

Classification

Research Technician I

AutoReqId

551532

Department

Central Development

Division

Vice President, University Advancement

Salary Range

Classification Range $3,680 - $6,628 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $3,680 - $4,000 per month)

Appointment Type

Temporary

Time Base

Full Time

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours. This is a temporary position to end on or before June 30, 2026 with a possibility of renewal on an annual basis if funds and/or program needs exist.

About CSUF

Standing on 241 acres in the heart of Southern California, the University was founded in 1957 and has grown into a population of over 40,000 students. As Titans, we believe that diverse perspectives deepen our understanding. We are committed to giving students the support they need to graduate, while responding to California’s revolving work force needs. At Cal State Fullerton we strive for continual improvement of students, staff, faculty, and administrators through orientations, training programs, and professional development opportunities. As part of the Titan Community, you have access to many campus facilities and services including but not limited to the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana, the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton, cultural events and performances in the Clayes Performing Arts Center, Cal State Fullerton Athletics sports events, Titan Recreation Center, and the Employee Wellness Program.

Job Summary

It is an exciting time to join Cal State Fullerton as we are an in demand comprehensive University that is driven to shape the future of education and foster a vibrant community of diverse students, faculty, staff, and administrators who uphold values of inclusive excellence, free speech, and an environment free from discrimination. We are continuously seeking individuals from various career disciplines that share the University’s mission and core values. We warmly welcome you to consider joining the Titan Community where minds expand and opportunities flourish.  

About the Position: 

A strong foundation of supporters is essential to enhancing academic innovation, empowering students, transforming campus structures and enriching the community. Through gifts large and small, Cal State Fullerton elevates the potential of our remarkable students. The office of Central Development is dedicated to increasing community, tradition, and contributions to the University by working together with the campus community. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Prospect Researcher (Research Technician I). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to diversity, openness, flexibility, integrity.

Under the general direction of the Director of Prospect Management and Strategy, the Prospect Researcher supports University Advancement by conducting in-depth research, analysis, and reporting on individuals, corporations, and foundations to inform fundraising strategies and enhance donor engagement. Focuses on analyzing existing constituent data to identify new prospects, preparing research on assigned prospects, and supporting strategic fundraising initiatives, including campus-wide comprehensive or capital campaigns.

The Prospect Researcher collaborates closely with Advancement leadership and the Development team to ensure fundraisers are equipped with accurate, actionable, and timely information. Requires skills in research, data analysis, and interpretation to help build and maintain strong prospect pools and to guide data-driven fundraising strategies. The Prospect Researcher is responsible for prospect portfolio distribution and other prospect report distribution to University Advancement staff. Responsibilities also include gathering, compiling, and analyzing prospect research data, assisting in the coordination of prospect identification, donor prospect reporting and analysis, general office coordination and travel and procurement card tracking. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university including the completion of a course in statistics. Relevant experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. One year of experience in technical research or statistical work. One year of graduate study in the social sciences, economics, mathematics, statistics, public administration, business administration, or engineering may be substituted for the required experience.

Working knowledge of methods used to prepare research reports. Ability to assist with gathering and analyzing of research data, and with the compilation of data for reports and summaries. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports. Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to create and edit publications and proposals and distribute communication via social media.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU 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 complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.  

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with research and ability to perform complex data analysis. Experience using ResearchPoint, LexisNexis, and WealthEngine. Work experience in nonprofit or public organizations that receive donated funds, and an awareness of how those funds are solicited, allocated, and used. Knowledge of creating research biographical profiles, both general and detailed. Ability to maintain files and records. Ability to maintain confidentiality of prospect information and development records. Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and RE software. Familiarity with engagement scoring, machine learning approaches to donor modeling, or network analysis.

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

Must be able to work annual commencement ceremonies.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Individuals interested in advancing the University’s strategic goals are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.  

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration. 

California State University, Fullerton is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e., H1-B Visas).

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU-represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9. This position may be subject to changes resulting from this implementation, in alignment with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Hiring Preference

On-Campus CSUEU Employees