Position Summary

Are you passionate about helping students navigate their academic journey and feel confident about their next steps? The Academic Advisor in the College of Education’s Office of Student Services (OSS) provides front-line advising and student support to prospective and current students across a range of programs and services. This role is an excellent opportunity for an emerging student services professional to build advising experience while supporting students with academic planning, admissions processes, and connections to university resources.

Working collaboratively with the College’s advising team, the Academic Advisor provides individualized and group advising for College of Education minors, coordinates admissions support for the ACE program, and serves as a welcoming first point of contact for students engaging with OSS.

Key Responsibilities

• Academic Advising: Provide individual and group advising to prospective and current students pursuing College of Education minors, helping students understand academic requirements and develop plans toward successful completion. 
• Admissions Coordination: Coordinate the ACE admissions process, communicate with prospective students about program and application requirements, organize application materials, and facilitate information sessions and admissions workflows. 
• Student Support & Resource Navigation: Serve as a first point of contact for students seeking assistance from OSS, assess their needs, answer questions using established policies and guidelines, and connect students with advisors or other campus resources when appropriate. 
• Front Office & Student Staff Coordination: Support daily OSS operations and provide direction, training, and mentorship to student assistants while coordinating coverage to maintain a responsive and welcoming student service environment. 
• Outreach & Student Engagement: Represent the College of Education at outreach activities and support events such as Explore SDSU, Welcome to the COE, commencement, and community-building programs for College of Education students. 
• Student Communications: Support timely communication of programs, events, and opportunities through OSS social media and other student-facing channels.

Why Join Us?

• Build Your Advising Career: Develop hands-on experience across academic advising, admissions, outreach, and student services. 
• Support Student Success: Help students understand their options, navigate university processes, and make progress toward their academic goals. 
• Gain Broad Experience: Work with prospective and current students at multiple points in their College of Education journey. 
• Collaborative Environment: Learn and work alongside experienced advisors and student services professionals within the Office of Student Services. 
• Make a Meaningful Impact: Contribute to a College committed to preparing future educators and professionals who serve diverse communities.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is 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.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to one day per week, following the one-year probationary period during which on-site presence is required.

Department Summary

The College of Education prepares skilled personnel for positions in teaching, administration, counseling, and other roles in Pre-K-12 schools, community colleges/ postsecondary education, public agencies, child care settings, community agencies, and the entrepreneurial sector. We serve urban, suburban, and rural communities richly diverse in culture, language, and ability/disability through partnerships designed to improve life outcomes of children, youth, adults, and their families. The College has one school, the School of Teacher Education, and six departments—Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education; Child and Family Development; Counseling and School Psychology; Dual Language & English Learner Education; Educational Leadership; and Special Education. There are 85 tenured/tenure-track faculty, with more than 250 lecturers, and 34 full-time staff. We serve approximately 2,200 full-time equivalent undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral students. College programs are accredited by national accrediting organizations in teacher education, school psychology, marriage and family therapy, and rehabilitation counseling. All programs providing credentials for school professionals are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Office of Student Services (OSS) serves the College for marketing, outreach, advising on education and related positions, financial aid, and credential admissions, advising and evaluation.

For more information regarding the College of Education, click here.

Education and Experience

Possession of this knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of one year of experience in professional Student Services work at the entry trainee level. Equivalent amounts of graduate level job‑related education may be substituted for the required 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

• Self-motivation: Able to establish work priorities and complete projects independently and to create good will and solve problems via tactful collaboration.
• Detail oriented: Able to read and interpret transcripts and program standards, and to maintain accurate advising records for students.
• Knowledge: Understands CSU and SDSU general education and other graduation requirements and other university policies and procedures.
• Communication: Strong writing and public speaking skills. Ability to organize and present ideas concisely and effectively in writing and in public speaking venues or one-on-one situations.
• Creativity: Able to think critically and propose creative solutions to problems.
• Interpersonal and Problem-Solving Skills: Able to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully, perceptively, and with compassion; ability to handle effectively a broad range of interpersonal contacts, including those at a higher level and those sensitive in nature. Ability to assess and respond to issues effectively and professionally in working with faculty, staff, administrators, and students.
• Background in at least one of the undergraduate subject areas – literature, history, math, science, visual and performing arts, or child development and a willingness to read and learn about the others is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,482-6342/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $4,482/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

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. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by October 1, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and 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. 

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.

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.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Taylor Smith at tjaress@sdsu.edu.