Access Control and Security Specialist (Administrative Analyst/Specialist Exempt II)

San Diego State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

CalPERS Retirement

Health Coverage

Education Support

Optional Offerings

Campus & Community

Job summary

San Diego State University seeks an Access Control and Security Specialist to oversee electronic access control, CCTV security, and mechanical key operations for university housing. You will provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure secure access for students, staff, guests, and campus partners across SDSU campuses.

This full-time exempt role coordinates with University Police, IT, Facilities, vendors, and housing staff; mentors student assistants; develops procedures and training

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and relevant experience in access control.
• Advanced proficiency with access control software and CCTV systems.
• Strong IT skills and ability to troubleshoot security systems.
• Experience in higher education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee electronic access control and CCTV operations.
• Manage access for housing facilities and coordinate with vendors.
• Lead system projects and modernization with campus partners.
• Develop procedures and training resources for security operations.
• Audit and maintain mechanical key distribution.
• Provide direction to student assistants.

Skills

Access control systems

Electronic locking systems

IT skills

CCTV management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Access Control and Security Specialist (Administrative Analyst/Specialist Exempt II)

Job no: 561555
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time, Safety, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking a highly organized and technically skilled Access Control and Security Specialist to oversee electronic access control, CCTV security, and mechanical key operations for university housing. This role provides strategic and technical expertise while supporting secure and reliable access for students, staff, guests, and campus partners across the San Diego and Imperial Valley campuses.

Key Responsibilities

• Electronic Locking Systems
• Manage electronic access for residential facilities, including access schedules, Wi‑Fi enabled locks, temporary credentials, and system configurations.
• Troubleshoot access control issues, coordinate system updates and repairs, and oversee vendor support.
• Conduct system audits, maintain user access, and develop recommendations to improve security and system performance.
• Recruit, train, and provide daily work direction to student assistants supporting access control and CCTV operations.
• Oversee the campus CCTV network through audits, troubleshooting, repairs, and security enhancement recommendations.
• Respond to critical access and security system issues and coordinate with University Police, IT, Facilities, and vendors.
• Access Management Strategic Planning
• Serve as Housing Administration’s subject matter resource for electronic access control and lead system projects and modernization initiatives with campus partners and vendors.
• Develop standardized procedures, workflows, and training resources to strengthen security, consistency, and operational efficiency.
• Mechanical Key Administrative Support
• Manage mechanical key distribution, tracking, auditing, and recovery for students, staff, vendors, and residential front desks.
• Coordinate academic year and summer conference key operations while providing guidance to housing staff responsible for key administration.

Why Join Us?

• Manage access and security systems supporting thousands of students, staff, and guests.
• Collaborate with Housing, University Police, IT, Facilities, vendors, and other campus partners.
• Lead projects that strengthen campus security and improve access control operations.
• Apply technical, leadership, and problem‑solving skills in a high‑impact university housing environment.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• This is a full‑time (1.0 time‑base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• 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 Division of Business and Financial Affairs is responsible for ensuring a safe, productive campus environment while providing the highest quality service in support of academic excellence through thoughtful stewardship of financial, technological, infrastructure, and human resources at San Diego State University.

The Office of Housing Administration (OHA) is a self‑funded operation responsible for planning, providing, and administering housing operations, services, and facilities with over 100 employees and more than 150 student assistants. With an annual operating budget exceeding $159 million, OHA provides housing for over 9,000 students, live‑in professional staff, and faculty across 25 residential buildings totaling more than 2 million square feet of residential facilities. OHA also operates SDSU‑IV housing at the Imperial Valley campus. OHA manages the operation of residence halls, apartments, and conference and event spaces. In partnership with the Residential Education Office (REO), OHA supports the educational mission of the university while providing the business operations for all housing‑related functions, ensuring a high‑quality environment that enhances the student educational experience.

For more information regarding the Office of Housing Administration (OHA), click here.

Education and Experience

Entry to this classification requires general knowledge and skills in the applicable administrative and/or program field with a foundational knowledge of public administration principles, practices, and methods. This foundation would normally be obtained through a bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.

Key Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency with access control system and access control software management.
• Experience with electronic locking systems including online, Wi‑Fi locks, and offline locks, or any combination of electronic access control systems.
• Strong technical and IT skills are essential.
• Experience with CCTV camera systems management.

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced ability to manage access software and integration.
• Intermediate knowledge of CCTV security camera management.
• Working knowledge of auditing assets including mechanical keys, electronic access, and CCTV security cameras.
• Ability to learn how to troubleshoot and re‑core mechanical keys.
• Experience in higher education.

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

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

Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 1 ($5,797 per month).
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,797 - $8,445 per month (Step 1 – Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Sophia Faulk at [e-mail].

Advertised: Aug 28, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled