Position Summary

The Assistant Director of the NRC leads innovative efforts to provide an integrated approach to identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs aimed at improving student outreach, academic success, leadership and professional development, inclusion, retention, and overall student experience, particularly for Native and Indigenous students. This role requires creative leadership, strategic planning, and vision to support the academic and public service mission of San Diego State University.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the development and execution of programs and practices to enhance student outreach and yield.
• Foster academic success, leadership, and professional development among students.
• Promote inclusion and retention initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Division of Student Affairs & Campus Diversity, Division of Academic Affairs, SDSU Auxiliaries, students, staff, and campus/community partners to implement training, programs, and services.
• Serve as a mentor and advisor to students and a resource to faculty and staff on campus.
• Respond to sensitive equity, crisis, and individualized issues related to Native students.
• Work with graduate students, interns, and student assistants to design and deliver programs promoting leadership development, equity, multicultural education, and social equality.
• Address the intersectionality of identities such as gender, race, religion, ethnicity, class, and ability.
• Promote the NRC and raise awareness of Native American and Indigenous excellence and student concerns through events, programs, written materials, and representation on campus-wide committees.

How to Apply: If you are passionate about supporting Native and Indigenous students and have the skills to lead and inspire, we encourage you to apply. Join us in making a significant impact on our campus community. Apply now!

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits eligible, temporary position anticipated to end on June 30, 2026 with the possibility of reappointment.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
•  Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, with advance notice

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity is responsible for the coordination and development of student services and building the inclusive excellence of SDSU's staff and faculty at San Diego State University. Departments include, but not limited to, Assistant Deans for Student Affairs; Career Services; Communications Services; Counseling & Psychological Services; Cultural and Identity Centers; Center for Educational Opportunity Programs, Outreach and Success; Financial Aid and Scholarships; Military Veterans Program; New Student and Parent Programs; Office of the Student Ombudsman; Residential Education; Resource Management; Student Ability Success Center; Student Health Services; Student Life and Leadership; Student Rights and Responsibilities; Testing Services Office; Well-being & Health Promotion; and programming related to Inclusive Excellence.

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity

The Division facilitates the academic and career success, personal growth, and well-being of all students, and works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through:

• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;
• Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all backgrounds;
• Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty, and staff, including enhancing the learning environment and expanding learning opportunities for all students inside and outside the classroom, and expanding and connecting opportunities for students to participate in transformational experiences;
• Developing leaders who believe in and lead others toward supporting civility, mutual respect and diversity in our society and workplaces; and
• Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position upholds the Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, specifically:

“The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by creating and nurturing a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence designed to facilitate the personal and professional success, growth, development, and well-being of all members of our community. We manifest this commitment through our innovative, strategic, and collaborative efforts to develop leaders who believe in and lead others toward practicing civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.”

For more information regarding the Native American Resource Center click here.

Education and Experience

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.

Possession of this 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.

Key Qualifications

• Prior experience in higher education.
• Experience working from Indigenous centered pedagogies, anti-racist, queer, or feminist frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to apply power, privilege, and inequity concepts to create safe working environments for minoritized students, faculty, and staff.
• Knowledge and experience working with diverse populations of Native & Indigenous students.
• Competency in cross-cultural communication.
• Possesses leadership qualities such as: proactiveness, vision, being a self-starter, positivity, and creativity.
• Demonstrated success working on teams and supporting colleagues on collaborative initiatives.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, with advance notice.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,276 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. 

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,276 - $7,517 per month.

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here.

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. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on December 31, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by December 30, 2024. 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. 

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.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate 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 military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.