General Advisor and Retention Specialist (Student Services Professional III)

Position Summary

Under the leadership of the Associate Director of Student Success the General Advisor and Retention Specialist (GARS) plays a vital role in supporting the academic and personal development of residential students at SDSU. This position is ideal for professionals who are passionate about student success mentorship and creating inclusive engaging learning environments.

As a key member of the Residential Education Office the GARS will design and implement advising programs that promote scholarship leadership citizenship and campus involvement. This role also provides essential support to departmental initiatives aimed at improving retention and graduation rates.

Evening and weekend availability is expected as part of our commitment to meeting students where they are.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide academic and holistic advising to students living in SDSUs residential housing
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources as needed
• Develop and deliver engaging workshops and presentations both in-person and online
• Support students navigating academic advisement course selection and degree planning
• Offer personal guidance related to self-awareness growth and academic probation
• Collaborate with the Office of Advising and Evaluations and individual colleges to ensure curriculum alignment
• Supervise STAR Centers and undergraduate peer advisors to promote timely graduation
• Recruit train and evaluate peer advisors and tutors
• Partner with campus departments to connect students with high-impact opportunities (e.g. internships study abroad research)
• Participate in Residential Education programs and complete assigned projects

Why You Should Apply

• Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to student success and equity
• Make a meaningful impact on students academic journeys and personal development
• Gain experience in a collaborative student-centered environment
• Enjoy professional growth opportunities within a respected institution

Help shape the future of SDSUs residential student experience. Were excited to meet candidates who are ready to inspire guide and lead.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base) benefits eligible temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30 2026 with the possibility of reappointment.
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday Friday 8:00 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 Residential Education Office is designated as the University department responsible for planning and administering Residential Education programs and services including those in traditional residence halls and apartment complexes. The Residential Education Office serves to enhance student life and success through a comprehensive living-learning experience that provides academic and personal support contact with faculty educational programs community activities student leadership development and multicultural learning opportunities. The department is part of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity/Dean of Students sub-division.

The Residential Education Office strives to provide safe and supportive on campus living learning communities where diverse students are challenged to develop holistically; as scholars citizens and leaders.

Residential Education staff members are dedicated to providing curricular and cocurricular experiences to develop and enhance residents academic success awareness and appreciation of diversity and civic responsibility.

Residential Educations values are a set of core beliefs that guide our work with students colleagues faculty and other constituents. While contributing to the goals of the University and the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity staff members of the Residential Education Office strive to:

• Achieve excellence in all that we do.
• Address students as unique individuals with multidimensional needs and unlimited potential for personal development.
• Promote integrity accountability responsibility respect and collaboration.
• Promote the connectedness between curricular and co-curricular learning.
• Embrace celebrate and educate on issues related to diversity.
• Develop communities that embrace civic responsibility life-long learning and healthy lifestyles.
• Maintain balance and perspective serving as sound role models for others.
• Innovate evaluate and refine programs to best meet the needs of the changing student population.

To accomplish these objectives Residential Education employs approximately 18 Residence Hall Coordinators 231 paraprofessional team members a central office staff of 18 and a variety of student assistants.

For more information regarding the Housing & Residential Education department 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 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 masters 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

• A masters degree in higher education student affairs counseling or a related field is preferred.
• Three or more years of professional experience in higher education/student affairs is preferred.
• Understanding of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act with regards to the maintenance of academic and judicial records of individual students.
• Understanding of reporting responsibilities outlined as a Responsible Employee and Campus Security Authority under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Act.
• Ability to learn and acquire knowledge of Title V CSU policies and procedures and University rules and regulations and their application to student organizations student activities and express and student governance structures.
• Familiarity with academic advising practices.
• Organizational and programming skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills required to build and maintain cooperative working relationships among diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to understand develop and effectively monitor fiscal budgets.
• Ability to speak before all groups of students and possess the skills necessary to deal with sensitive and confidential issues.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Salary is based on your experience education and qualifications within the departments budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5540 - $7893/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $5540/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays vacation and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical dental and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash life and disability insurance legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library campus events employee groups and volunteer and social activities.

• Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

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.

SDSUs 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.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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 Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs 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.

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

Supplemental Information

Apply by September 9 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis and 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 persons identity and authorization to work in the United States which are consistent with the provisions of theImmigration 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.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at .