Job Summary

Under the general direction of the CAFES Associate Dean, this position works very closely with Department Heads, the CAFES Advising Center lead advisor and the University Advising Retention advisor in all areas of student academic and administrative advising; assists with the development and implementation of college and department policies as they pertain to student matters; implements university academic policies; monitors students’ progress through a variety of circumstances; and participates in coordination of CAFES events regarding advising, orientation, and counseling. This position also acts as an advising resource and subject matter expert for Department Faculty Advisors.

Department Summary

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) consists of nine academic departments, approximately 150 faculty, 60 staff and 3,800 students with 15 majors. The main purpose of this position is to provide academic advising, counseling, and related services for current, and former returning undergraduate student, supporting one or two departments within the college. This position provides individual and group counseling to students about course selection and development of academic plans, with academic problems, students with special needs, and students from under-represented populations in conjunction with specialized campus programs. Students are counseled about how to change their major, expected academic progress (EAP), academic probation (AP) and disqualification (DQ), and works with counselors from across the University as appropriate. This position will also oversee and coordinate at least one student success support programming within the college (MAP Center, Transfer Program, AP/DQ, website and social media management, as well as future programming needs that arise.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated customer service skills, including a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to provide individual and group advising and counseling on complex student-related matters.
• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• General knowledge of individual counseling techniques and developmental principles, research and interview techniques, and the ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to advise students on academic requirements and provide course planning through graduation.
• Knowledge of student development theory, including CAS standards and its application to higher education including how to assess student needs (academic, personal, social) when assisting with educational and career goals.
• Ability to determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.  Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related filed, including or supplements by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
• Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,544 - $6,496 monthly

Classification Range: $5,540 - $7,893 monthly

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

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 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 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 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, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly 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. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.