Senior Student Academic Success Specialist

Job Summary

The Senior Student Academic Success Specialist (Senior SASS) for the College of Health and Human Sciences will support the enrollment, retention and engagement of first and second-year students. Under the limited supervision of the College Student Success Center Director this individual will develop and implement programming, and provide academic advising and success coaching, to support approximately 200-250 undergraduate students during their first 60 units.
The Senior SASS will have a demonstrated track record of successfully advising a diverse student population, resolving complex advising issues, and will work to ensure that all students have a clear path to achieve academic success. The Senior SASS will be responsible for developing and providing materials, workshops and other programming to support students’ success and progress to degree. The Senior SASS will focus on helping the campus close the equity gap between its varied student communities by building relationships and retaining students to graduation through increased engagement and a sense of belonging to the SJSU community. 

Key Responsibilities

The Senior SASS will:

• Provide holistic academic advising and support to a cohort of students during their first 60 units (freshman and sophomore standing).
• Develop and implement an asset-based and strengths-based approach while using a case management strategy to establish a working relationship that includes regular meetings, careful documentation, tracking of student progress, and assessment of student success.
• Introduce and orient students to their academic requirements (MyProgress, Catalog), academic planning tools (MyPlanner, Roadmap), and campus resources.
• Assist students in creating educational goals and interpretation of policies and procedures in relation to their goals.
• Develop and implement programming efforts and materials to support students’ transition to college, with the goal of enhancing skills and behaviors that facilitate academic success (e.g., time management, study skills, effective communication with instructors, growth mindset).
• Monitor academic progress by leveraging early support systems (EAB Navigate – progress reports) and implement systems that offer timely interventions to support student needs.
• Assist students with navigating University and College processes and procedures, including letters and petitions, schedule changes, academic probation, services related to special needs, etc.
• While most of this support will be provided to first-year students, there may be times when support of continuing students will be required.
• Develop and implement a student communication plan that aligns with university policies, deadlines, events, and specific supports needed at certain times in the semester.
• Participate in college and university-wide programs and events that support student success for frosh and sophomores and minimize equity gaps.
• Provide academic advising during frosh orientation (Sparta Camp).
• Take a lead role in designing and implementing programming efforts and materials to support students’ transition to SJSU, with the goal of enhancing skills and behaviors that facilitate academic success (e.g., time management, study skills, effective communication with instructors, growth mindset, student panel).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge:

• Basic principles of individual and group behavior, and techniques and methods of interviewing/connecting with students for the purposes of effective holistic academic advising.
• Asset-based and strengths-based approaches to academic advising
• The freshman and sophomore experience as it pertains to the following:
• Academic, social and personal skills students need to develop as they transition to college/university life.
• Opportunities and challenges.
• Best practices for academic advising and student success trends.
• Student development theories and principles, retention strategies, and program development.
• Policies: University policies; major, general education, university and system requirements for graduation, change of major policies and procedures.
• FERPA and confidentiality guidelines.
• Academic disciplines, coursework, and requirements for College of Health and Human Sciences.

Skills:

• Strong advising/counseling skills, including demonstrated excellence in active listening and in helping individuals with problem identification, problem solving, conflict resolution, and decision making.
• Effective communication skills (both written and verbal) with individuals/groups. Ability to present clear and concise information.
• Excellent customer-service skills. Advisor notes (documentation) are required to monitor and assess student progress.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required to effectively establish rapport and work with students, staff, and faculty.
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and programming skills.
• Ability to quickly learn and understand complex university regulations/policies and relay information clearly to students, faculty and staff; quickly learn new software applications.
• Effectively use PeopleSoft (student administration database) and EAB Navigate.
• Effectively use software applications such as Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite/Apps (Docs, Sheets, Drive), video conferencing software (Zoom), DocuSign, OnBase, etc.
• Effectively develop and deliver high quality programming to support student success (e.g., workshops, events)

Ability to:

• Establish trust and a strong working relationship with college students.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and commitment to equity.
• Motivate and advocate for students.
• Recognize and refer students to appropriate student services and resources in a timely manner, and keep good working relationships with the units providing these student services/resources.
• Work independently and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and faculty; function as part of a team.
• Be flexible and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Meet deadlines.
• Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Maintain regular attendance and be punctual.
• Be reliable and trustworthy.

Required Qualifications

• 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.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Social Work, Education, or a directly related field.
• Three years of experience:
  • Serving diverse college students in an academic advising/counselor role. Experience working with underrepresented and historically underserved students is highly desirable.
  • Establish trust and a strong working relationship with college students and referring students to campus resources/services, as appropriate.
  • Interpreting and clearly explaining university and college advising policies and procedures.
  • Working with staff, faculty, and administrators from a diverse background.
  • Organizing and leading programming efforts in a college/university environment

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Range: up to $5,250/month
Salary Range: $4,691/month - $6,683/month
San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: November 8, 2021 through November 28, 2021. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
[email protected]
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 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 as a condition of employment. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/  and questions may be sent to [email protected] .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, 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 offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).