Job Summary

The Senior Student Academic Success Specialist supports the academic success, retention, and engagement of first- and second-year undeclared undergraduate students through comprehensive academic advising, success coaching, and student-centered programming. Working under limited supervision, the incumbent independently manages a student caseload, develops proactive interventions, and designs initiatives that promote student persistence and timely degree completion. This position serves as a key resource in helping students navigate academic requirements, university policies, and campus resources while fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The role contributes significantly to institutional student success, retention, and graduation goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide holistic academic advising and success coaching to an assigned cohort of first- and second-year undergraduate students.
• Develop individualized academic plans and guide students in understanding degree requirements, academic policies, and university procedures.
• Utilize a case management approach to monitor student progress, maintain advising documentation, and implement timely interventions.
• Design, develop, and deliver workshops, communications, and programming that support student transition, engagement, and academic success.
• Connect students with appropriate campus resources and coordinate referrals to address academic and personal success needs.
• Monitor student achievement using advising technologies and early alert systems to improve retention and persistence.
• Participate in orientation, outreach, and university initiatives that promote student success and reduce equity gaps.
• Build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and campus partners to support student achievement and continuous improvement.
• Assist students with petitions, academic standing issues, schedule changes, and other university processes.
• Support departmental initiatives and perform additional duties as assigned to advance student success objectives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of academic advising principles, student development theory, and student success best practices.
• Knowledge of university academic policies, degree requirements, FERPA, and higher education regulations.
• Strong advising, coaching, interviewing, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer service communication skills.
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse student populations using equitable and inclusive practices.
• Strong organizational, documentation, project management, and programming skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret complex policies and communicate information clearly to students, faculty, and staff.
• Proficiency with student information systems, advising technologies, and Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities while working collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective workshops, outreach, and student success programming.

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

• A master's degree in educational counseling or a related field.
• Experience providing academic advising or student support services to college students in a post-secondary institution.
• Experience utilizing advising, case management, or intervention strategies to support student academic progress.
• Experience coordinating programs, initiatives, or projects within a college or university setting.

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $5,667/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,540/month - $7,893/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: July 24, 2026, through August 9, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

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. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university 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). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. 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.