Administrative Support Assistant

San Diego State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Retirement plan

Health coverage

Tuition waiver

On-campus resources

Job summary

San Diego State University is seeking an Administrative Support Assistant to enable smooth departmental operations, graduate program administration, and event coordination from a centralized front office.

This role supports budget tracking, purchasing, and communications with students, faculty, and external partners, while handling logistics for seminars and special events. A high school diploma with office experience is typical; familiarity with budgeting and procurement policies is valued.

Qualifications

• Fundamental written and verbal communication skills; ability to learn office technology systems.
• Experience in an office environment is typical for entry-level roles.
• Familiarity with budgeting, purchasing, and basic financial reporting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative and front-office support, including phone and visitor assistance and calendar management.
• Support graduate program administration, admissions, onboarding, and materials coordination.
• Coordinate department seminars and events; manage room setup, IT coordination, and travel arrangements.
• Process travel requests and reimbursements; track expenditures and funding allocations; assist with financial coordination.

Skills

Procurement budgeting

MS Office & Google Workspace

University procurement policies

Coordination with departments

Basic graphics programs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Graphics software

Job description

Location: San Diego

Position Summary

The Department of Economics at San Diego State University is seeking a highly organized and motivated Administrative Support Assistant to join our team. The position supports day-to-day departmental operations, graduate program administration, event coordination, budget and purchasing activities, and serves as a critical point of contact for students, faculty, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Support: Provide primary day-to-day administrative and front-office support, including customer service, phone and visitor assistance, departmental communications, student assistant coordination, records and calendar maintenance, room scheduling, syllabi and meeting documentation, supply and equipment coordination, mail/shipping, facilities support, and assistance with student evaluations, data collection, reporting, and other departmental projects.
• Graduate Program Support: Support graduate program administration with inquiry responses, maintaining program information, processing student forms and documentation, coordinating communication among students, faculty, advisors, and the Graduate Office, and assisting with graduate employment, recruitment, admissions, onboarding, orientation, comprehensive exams, promotional materials, website updates, and student success activities.
• Event Support: Provide administrative and logistical support for department seminars, monthly Brown Bag events, boot camp activities, and related events, including scheduling, hotel reservations, conference room setup, IT/audiovisual coordination, visitor coordination, and event setup and cleanup.
• Budget and Purchasing Support: Process travel requests and reimbursements, track expenditures and funding allocations, support compliance across state, foundation, and other funding sources, and assist with Research Foundation grants, disbursements, stipends, purchase requisitions, labor distributions, documentation, payments, and personnel-related financial coordination.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time‑base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated non‑exempt under FLSA and is 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.
• This position is approved for one day of telecommuting after an initial training period, with onsite work in San Diego.

Education and Experience

Entry to this classification requires fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation; an ability to understand standard office procedures; an ability to operate standard office equipment; an ability to learn office technology systems; an ability to perform basic mathematical calculations; and typing and keyboard skills.

These entry qualifications would normally be obtained through completion of a high school program or its equivalent and some experience in an office environment.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in procurement, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Experience working with university procurement policies and procedures, particularly within a higher education environment.
• Experience coordinating with university departments, research foundations, external agencies, or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Gmail and Calendar).
• Experience with basic graphics programs.

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

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 3 ($3,709).
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $3,565 – $5,092 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.

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.

Supplemental Information

Apply by August 2nd, 2026, 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 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 Justin Phung at [e-mail].

Advertised: Jul 17, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled