Associate Director, Graduate Life & Diversity (Student Services Professional Iv)

Position Summary

The Associate Director of the Office of Graduate Life and Diversity, supports the day-to-day operations and oversight of staff, student employees, volunteers, and interns. The Associate Director collaborates with office leadership, student staff, and campus/community partners to implement training, programs, and services of the office. The Associate Director has responsibility for providing consultation, guidance, mentorship, leadership, and support, through programming and advising efforts.

The Associate Director in this position also provides support of retention, academic excellence, and enhancement of graduation rates. The Associate Director is responsible for the completion of program- related tasks or projects assigned by the appropriate administrator.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position anticipated to end on or before June 30, 2025, 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.

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; Basic Needs Center/ECRT; Career Services; Center for Educational Partnerships, Outreach and Success; Digital Marketing and Creative Services; Counseling and Psychological Services; The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs, Outreach and Success; Financial Aid and Scholarships; Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center; New Student and Parent Programs; Office of the Student Ombudsman; Residential Education; Resource Management; Student Disability Success Center; Cal Coast Student Financial Center: Student Health Services; Student Life and Leadership; Student Rights and Responsibilities; Testing Services Office; Well-being & Health Promotion; Cultural Centers; and programming related to Inclusive Excellence.

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity

The Division works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures, while facilitating an integrated vision and shared responsibility for prioritizing and advancing institutional goals. 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 Office for Graduate Life and Diversity department click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a 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 the below required 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.

Key Qualifications

• General knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior with experience advising and/or counseling staff as well as students in an academic and/or co-curricular setting.
• 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.
• Experience in event planning, coordination and implementation of programs and activity.
• Ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.
• Effective interpersonal skills required to build and maintain cooperative working relationships among diverse individuals and groups leading to a strong ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work and student advising and community contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas.
• Basic experience in program development of student organizations and activities, leadership programs, cross-cultural centers, and student academic success centers preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,732 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: $5,732 - $8,176 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 November 9, 2023. To receive full consideration, apply by November 8, 2023. 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.