African American Student Retention Coordinator

Type of Appointment: Full-time, Probationary

Collective Bargaining Unit: APC – Unit 4

Job Classification: Student Services Professional IV

Classification Salary Range: $5,351 - $7,633 per month

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,351 - $6,112 per month

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, unless notified otherwise

Recruitment Closing Date: Open Until Filled

THE DEPARTMENT:

Cultural retention centers on college campuses make a powerful difference in student learning and retention and fosters an environment that promotes leadership development, critical thinking, a sense of belonging, cultural identity, and academic growth—all components for engagement in the learning process.

This role will work with the Centers for Transformation, Retention, Equity & Empowerment (T.R.E.E.) in building and leading a standalone cultural retention center model and office rooted in student success (critical learning and intersectional identity development, transformative justice, culturally relevant approaches to career readiness, coalition building, and social change).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Student Retention & Support

• Provide performs highly complex professional Student Services work in reviewing the most difficult individual, group or organizational problems, developing and recommending courses of action, and implementing proposed solutions which includes strength-based academic coaching to Black / African American scholars to help students achieve their educational and career goals (i.e., identifying institutional obstacles, clarifying student’s goals, and building a commitment to graduation)
• Utilize a combination of high-level analytical skills and high-level interpersonal skills in working on complex problems from the investigation and analysis stage through the solution and implementation stage to increase Black / African American student scholars’ navigational capital and provide follow-up and advocacy to enhance their university experience as needed
• Utilize CPP Connect (institutional student academic information system) to schedule coaching sessions, assess student academic progress, celebrate academic milestones, and align interest to career exploration (i.e., internships, registered campus organizations, etc.)
• Work with the CARE Center and Integrative Care Network (Case Management Team) to refer and support Black/ African American students facing academic and personal challenges.
• Collaborate with campus partners (i.e., campus research opportunities, study aboard, leadership development) to develop pathways for scholars’ participation in high-impact programs

Program Development, Marketing & Assessment

• Collaborate with campus partners to design and implement programs and initiatives that support the academic success of African American undergraduate student scholars and resolve the most difficult program problems typically involving highly sensitive and complex student group issues or program‑wide organizational matters.
• Responsible for the development and production of marketing materials including but not limited to newsletter, promotional materials website, and social media platforms; identifies center cultural archives
• Review existing and proposed policies, practices and organizational structure and propose changes or develop full revisions as appropriate; conduct studies and surveys and prepare reports with recommendations based on results; provide analysis and guidance in major installations (office ‑wide) of new procedures and systems. Some positions at this level involve in-depth analysis of complex subject matters or fields and the independent development of thorough and extensive written materials for the purpose of developing knowledge and skills of students. Identify and operationalize short- and long-term goals that align with institutional and divisional priorities to increase the persistence, retention, and graduation of African American undergraduate student scholars
• Develop an assessment process that articulates the impact of the programs, services, events aimed to increase persistence, retention, and graduation of African American undergraduate student scholars

Program & Resource Coordination

• Incumbents independently determine level of services and other resources to be provided individuals or groups of students where guidelines and precedents do not exist.
• Knowledge and adherence of State, CPP, Division and departmental policies and procedures that impact operational activities and services
• Develops and nurtures a welcoming, brave, and safe space, while also creating a sense of community and belonging through center’s management.
• Oversees day-to-day operation inclusive of student staff, part-time staff, and center.
• Recruits, trains, and evaluates student staff and part-time staff with a developmental approach.
• Projections, expends, and monitors State, Foundation, and Philanthropic funds in collaboration Dean of Students cluster Budget Analyst; responsible for reconciling monthly purchasing procurement card statements

Department Liaison

• Identify, build, and maintain relationships with affinity African American groups, including recognized student organizations and interest groups to enhance student experience and promote partnerships
• Represent the department and/or unit through services on campus, community, and professional development identified by incumbent and agreed upon with lead/supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent to graduation from a (4) four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related.
• Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent to four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems.

A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job-related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 

• Experience working with an African American student community
• Master’s degree preferably in student affairs, higher education administration, college student personnel, social work, counseling, or a related field.
• The ideal candidate will be experienced, creative, compassionate, and a proven leader who has solid operational knowledge of and demonstrated, documented success in leading and managing the major elements of this portfolio through an anti-racist, student ready, and culturally relevant retention framework.
• Highly desirable qualities include knowledge of and dedication towards best practices, as well as demonstrated leadership ability in working with a range of professional staff, faculty, parents and supporters, senior administrative colleagues, other campus constituents and external organizations.

COVID-19 Vaccination

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who physically access campus facilities or programs to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes obtaining a COVID-19 booster dose, or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11030468/latest .

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California.   The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10899725/latest/ . 

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any criminal conviction history, considering such factors as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. See policy at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//documents/employment-policies/hr2017-17.pdf .  

I-9

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

Conflict of Interest

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.  See policy at https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/faculty-staff/systemwide-human-resources/conflict-of-interest/ .

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) (Include this verbiage when the position being recruited has been designated as a 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 as a condition of employment. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10927154/latest/ .

Smoking

Cal Poly Pomona is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/ . 

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal Poly Pomona Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/campus-safety-plan.shtml .

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at [email protected] . More information is available at: https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//access-accommodations/index.shtml .

EEO

Cal Poly Pomona is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. The university subscribes to the pay transparency nondiscrimination provision and all state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. More information is available at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf and at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor/documents/aa-eeo-doc/policy-statement_2022-aap-for-california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona_confidential_20220127.pdf .