Working Title: Student (Cadet) Leadership and Development Coordinator 

Classification Title: Student Service Professional III 

Department Name: Cadet Leadership and Development 

Time Base: Full-time

Pay Plan: 12 month 

Bargaining Unit:  4 (APC)

Employment Type: Probationary/Permanent 

Salary Range:

• Hiring salary is anticipated at $66,480- $68,400 per year commensurate with education and experience.
• CSU Salary Range: $66,480 - $94,716 per year.

Benefits: Premium benefit package includes outstanding health, dental, and vision plans; life and disability insurances; pension (CalPERS); tuition fee waiver; and 14 paid holidays per year. See our benefits website for additional information.

Application Deadline: Open until filled. A review of applications will begin Wednesday, October 15, 2025 and the review period may end at any time thereafter.

Position Summary:  

The Office of Cadet Leadership and Development supports the Corps of Cadets, a structured leadership program at Cal Poly Maritime Academy that guides cadets from their first year through senior leadership roles. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world responsibilities, cadets develop the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed to lead on campus, at sea, and beyond.

Under general supervision of the Director of Cadet Leadership and Development (CLD) and the Assistant Director of CLD, this position facilitates cadet development through training, mentorship, workshops, and experiential learning, helping students build self-discipline, critical thinking, strong character, effective communication skills, and a sense of responsibility. The Coordinator ensures cadet adherence to institutional and maritime regulations, fostering a culture of self-discipline, professionalism, Teamwork and Pride. The incumbent will also participate on the annual training ship summer sea term.

About the Cal Poly Maritime Academy:

Cal Poly Maritime Academy is a campus of the California State University and is the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast. Located on the scenic Vallejo waterfront, the campus serves a student population of approximately 1000 undergraduates and 50 graduate students.

Cal Poly Maritime Academy offers seven baccalaureate degrees in Business Administration, International Strategy and Security, Facilities Engineering Technology, Marine Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering,  Marine Transportation, and Oceanography. The undergraduate curriculum includes licensing programs for future merchant marine, coast guard, and naval reserve officers. Cal Poly Maritime Academy also offers a Master of Science in Transportation and Engineering Management degree, as well as a number of extended learning programs and courses.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Administer instructional sessions to train cadets in formation procedures, inspection in ranks, and uniform and grooming standards.
• Provide information and guidance to cadets to ensure adherence to institutional and maritime standards of conduct.
• Collaborate with the Director and Assistant Director of Cadet Leadership & Development regarding the Random Drug Testing Program for the Corps of Cadets to ensure compliance, attend any necessary training sessions to ensure compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) & U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
• Facilitate and develop various workshops, seminars and programs that support leadership and professionalism training and the development of self-discipline, critical thinking, character, communication, and responsibility of our cadets.
• Create assessments and reporting to track cadet progress and support development and leadership with professional curriculum.
• Represent Office of Cadet Leadership and Development on committees and at events.
• Support recruiting and retention of prospective cadets
• Collaborates across divisions and works directly with Student Affairs to design, coordinate and implement for the Corp of Cadets for orientation.
• Participate in the annual Summer Sea Training aboard the training ship or international experience.
• Provide coaching and counseling to the cadets regarding discipline, leadership development, and shipboard operations.
• Conduct investigations and create reports of non-academic misconduct aboard training ship during Sumer Sea Term and ensure communication with Student Affairs.

Required Qualifications: 

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 course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.

Licensure and Certifications:

• Valid State of California driver’s license is required and must be maintained in satisfactory standing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Marine Credential and TWIC card.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid U.S. passport.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student related matters.
• Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and associated teaching methods.
• Knowledge of leadership education and training.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and cooperative working relationships within a diverse multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent listening and evaluating skills.
• Ability to deliver training and make presentations.
• Ability to apply techniques in motivating and evaluating students.
• Experience in mentorship and team building.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the uniformed services or uniformed academies.
• Military service in an operational or training environment.
• Knowledge of shipboard leadership training.
• Experience in Higher Education.
• Experience with Outdoor Programming.
• Demonstrated experience in counseling college-level students.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
• Ability to work in a structured, uniformed environment of a maritime academy.
• Personal integrity and exhibition of leadership by example.

Special Conditions: 

• Uniform requirements: Wears appropriate uniform and maintains personnel grooming standards as outlined in the University’s uniform and grooming policy
• Shipboard Requirements:   Ability to function successfully in limited living and working spaces, climb ship ladders and stairs and transit narrow hallways, and to perform assigned duties maintain balance while occasionally experiencing rolling motion aboard ship; ability to lift and move moderate weights (up to 50 lbs.) in a safe manner.
• Summer Sea Term Requirements:  Incumbent will be required to participate in summer sea term aboard the training ship. This requires the incumbent to obtain a Merchant Mariners Document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.  This will include a background check, physical and drug test, proof of citizenship or the eligibility to work in the U.S., and a Social Security card.  Each year the incumbent must pass a summer sea term physical exam and drug test to participate on the summer sea term.
• International Experience: Incumbent may be required to participate in the annual International Experience in lieu of or in addition to the annual summer sea term. This requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a valid passport and be able to travel abroad for several weeks.
• Pro-card: The incumbent must maintain a ProCard and travel card in good standing, adhering to all organizational policies and procedures related to their use. This includes timely reconciliation of charges, proper documentation of expenses, and compliance with budgetary and policy guidelines. Failure to manage these responsibilities satisfactorily may result in corrective actions, including disciplinary measures, which could lead to termination of employment. 

Physical, Mental and Environmental Conditions:  

• Up to 40% of the activities involve sitting, standing, squatting, kneeling or walking; involves lifting heavy weight objects limited to 50 pounds; may involve pushing and pulling objects within the weight limits.
• Is around moving machinery
• Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity
• Drives motorized equipment. 

Title IX: Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Maritime Academy 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. Cal Poly Maritime Academy 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.

Cal Poly Maritime Academy 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 Cal Poly Maritime Academy, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Background Check: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, DMV records check, physical and drug screen) 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 satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Mandated Reporter: 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 revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

Designated Position: This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Eligibility to Work:  Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the United States within three days of the date of hire.

Integration: The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the integration of the California State University Maritime Academy with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, effective July 1, 2025. The two campuses will form one academic institution operated as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and all employment positions with California State University Maritime Academy are subject to this transition. Employees hired in the period after the Trustees’ approval on November 21, 2024 and prior to the integration date on July 1, 2025 will have their employment transitioned to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  Employment shall continue to be subject to California State University policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Any changes in organizational structure, reporting relationships, or employment conditions will be communicated as details are finalized.

Application Procedure: Click "APPLY NOW" to complete the Cal Poly Maritime Academy Online Employment Application and attach the following documents: cover letter and resume. 

Disclaimer: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained may be modified or changed.