*Internal applicants limited to CSU employees only*

Working Title

Graduate Student Success & Career Development Advisor

SF State University

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons 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 veteran status, or any other protected status.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.

Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State's policy prohibiting discrimination and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling (415) 338-2032 or emailing vpsaem@sfsu.edu.

San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus.  Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University property.

The person holding this position may be 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.

This position may be a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code.  The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Department

Division of Graduate Studies & Career Development

Appointment Type

This is a one-year probationary position.

Time Base

Full-time

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday; from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salary

$5,540.00 - $5,750.00 Per Month ($66,480.00 - $69,000.00 Annually)

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Dean and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Career Development, and in collaboration with the Director of Career & Leadership Development, the Graduate Student Success & Career Development Advisor performs student services work supporting graduate student academic success, persistence, degree completion, career and professional development, doctoral and fellowship preparation.

The incumbent independently provides comprehensive advising to prospective and current graduate students regarding graduate academic policies and procedures, enrollment and degree progress, academic planning, graduation requirements, and strategies that support persistence and timely degree completion. The Advisor works with students experiencing complex or sensitive academic and administrative circumstances; analyzes individual situations; interprets and applies established University and CSU policies and procedures; assists students in evaluating available options; coordinates referrals to appropriate campus resources; and recommends courses of action for management review when matters involve exceptions to policy or require authority beyond the position's delegated responsibilities.

In partnership with Career Development and other campus partners, the Advisor develops and delivers graduate-specific career and professional development advising, workshops, and programming that complement University-wide career services. The incumbent also coordinates assigned advising and administrative for the California Pre-Doctoral Program (Sally Casanova Scholars), Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), and other graduate fellowship or doctoral pathway programs formally assigned to Graduate Studies.

Position Information

Graduate Student Success Advising and Case Coordination

• Independently provide individual and group advising to current and prospective graduate students regarding graduate policies and procedures, enrollment and degree progress, academic planning, graduation requirements, and strategies supporting persistence and timely degree completion.
• Provide advising and case coordination for students experiencing complex or sensitive academic and administrative circumstances. Analyze relevant academic and institutional information, identify available options, explain applicable policies and procedures, assist students in evaluating alternatives, coordinate appropriate referrals, and recommend courses of action when management review is required.
• Review and analyze petitions and requests involving reinstatement, academic notice, withdrawal, leave of absence, continuous enrollment, graduation requirements, and other unusual circumstances. Apply established policies and procedures to individual cases and prepare recommendations when exceptions or decisions beyond delegated authority are required.
• Identify academic and non-academic barriers affecting student progress and connect students with appropriate specialized services, including Financial Aid, Basic Needs, Disability Programs and Resource Center, Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Career Development, and other campus resources. The position provides student-services advising and referral and does not provide clinical or therapeutic counseling.
• Use student information systems, advising platforms, and available student-success data to identify patterns affecting graduate progression and populations that may benefit from targeted advising and outreach. Develop and implement assigned interventions and recommend improvements to advising services and procedures.
• Serve as a procedural and advising resource to Graduate Studies staff, graduate program coordinators, and faculty regarding established graduate policies, procedures, and advising practices.
• Collaborate with academic colleges, graduate programs, and Enrollment Management on targeted outreach designed to increase awareness of graduate education and strengthen prospective students' preparation for graduate study.

CSU Doctoral Pathway and Fellowship Program Coordination Support

• Coordinate administrative functions for the California Pre-Doctoral Program (Sally Casanova Scholars), Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), and other graduate-specific CSU or institutional fellowship programs formally assigned to Graduate Studies.
• Maintain annual program calendars, established procedures, applicant information, and program records; conduct information sessions and applicant workshops; advise prospective and current applicants regarding program requirements and application preparation; and facilitate faculty mentor identification and participation.
• Coordinate assigned program expenditures, reimbursements, travel, and other award-related transactions in collaboration with appropriate fiscal staff and in accordance with established University and CSU policies and procedures.
• Track applications, participation, nominations, awards, and scholar/fellow outcomes; maintain shared program records and documentation; and prepare semester, annual, and required CSU reports.
• Maintain and annually update, for management review and approval, a fellowship and scholarship responsibility matrix identifying programs for which Graduate Studies serves as primary administrator, coordinating partner, or referral resource.
• For international, research, financial-aid, college-specific, or other fellowship and scholarship opportunities administered by another campus unit, provide appropriate referral, outreach, and liaison support rather than primary program administration.

Graduate Professional Development and Career Collaboration 

• In partnership with Career Development, develop, coordinate, and deliver graduate-specific career and professional development advising and programming that complement University-wide career services.
• Provide individual and group career development advising distinctive to graduate students, including career exploration and planning; doctoral and faculty-career preparation; academic and non-academic CV/resume development; articulation of advanced disciplinary and transferable skills; research communication; professional writing; networking; interview preparation; and transition from graduate education to professional employment.
• Assist graduate students in identifying educational and vocational goals, evaluating career options, recognizing skills and experiences relevant to those goals, and identifying appropriate University career-development resources.

Communications, Outreach, and Program Assessment 

• Develop and coordinate communications for assigned graduate student success, career development, doctoral pathway, and fellowship functions in alignment with Division priorities and supervisory direction.
• Create and maintain accurate web content, email communications, FAQs, guides, workshop materials, presentations, and other student facing information in coordination with appropriate Division and University communications partners.
• Represent Graduate Studies at orientations, graduate fairs, campus presentations, webinars, workshops, and other approved outreach activities.
• Collect and analyze advising, participation, referral, and outcome data; prepare periodic reports; identify trends and student needs; and recommend program, communication, or process improvements for management consideration.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform other duties consistent with the Student Services Professional III classification and the operational needs of the Division.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities: The following knowledge and abilities, as well as those listed at the lower levels in the Student Services Professional series, are required for appointment into this classification. 

Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.  General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the program area to which assigned; general knowledge of individual counseling techniques; general knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned.

Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned. Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student‑related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature;  interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals. 

Experience: 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, 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. 

Education: 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. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, career development, public administration, education, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of graduate education, academic advising, student success, career development, or a related student-services function at a CSU campus or other institution of higher education.
• Knowledge of career advising and development practices.
• Knowledge of doctoral pathway, fellowship, scholarship advising.
• Experience developing and delivering workshops, presentations, outreach, graduate professional-development programming, or fellowship/doctoral-preparation activities in collaboration with faculty and campus partners.
• Experience maintaining program procedures, calendars, records, reporting systems, and shared documentation that support consistent program administration and continuity.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across organizational units, exercise sound professional judgment within established responsibilities, and recognize when matters require consultation or escalation.
• Experience using PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, EAB Navigate or comparable advising platforms, CRM or email-campaign tools, Handshake or comparable career technology, Microsoft 365, and web content-management systems.
• Experience collecting and analyzing student-success data to identify trends, assess services, and recommend improvements.

Environmental/Physical/Special 

Standard office environment with extended computer, keyboard, telephone, and video-conferencing use. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for workshops, events, or program deadlines.

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must be able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the United States within three business days of their date of hire.

Benefits

Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions.  SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employees.

Additional Information

*Internal applicants limited to CSU employees only*

SF STATE IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (i.e. H1-B VISAS).

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU).  CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California.  Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exceptions.  While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.

Pursuant to Education Code Section 89521, the CSU is required to contact the current and/or former employer(s) of an applicant in the final stages of the recruitment process and make a reasonable attempt to obtain information regarding any prior misconduct by the applicant within the last seven years.

CSU strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/.

The Human Resources office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (415) 338-1872.

Please note that this position, position requirements, application deadline and/or any other component of this position is subject to change or cancellation at any time.