Administrative Support Assistant II

The California State University; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University, San Diego State University, invites applications for an Administrative Support Assistant II in the Department of Political Science. You will support faculty, advisors, students, and department programs in a collaborative academic environment.

Responsibilities include front desk support, coordinating calendars and events, assisting with communications, budget items, and graduate program tasks, with telecommuting up to one day per week after training.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a university setting is preferred.
• Customer service experience in an office setting.
• Experience greeting and communicating instructions and information to customers.
• Experience with basic graphics program is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide front office and customer service support, including answering phones, assisting visitors, managing department communications, and helping maintain consistent office coverage.
• Maintain departmental calendars, records, files, contact information, meeting materials, and other administrative systems while supporting day-to-day office operations.
• Coordinate logistics for departmental events, commencement, and program activities, including room reservations, technology, catering, communications, and event materials.
• Support department websites, social media, Canvas announcements, mailing lists, and other communications that keep students and the campus community informed.
• Assist with faculty allocations, event purchases, travel reimbursements, inventory, and routine financial and payroll documentation under established procedures.
• Assist with graduate admissions by maintaining application records, tracking materials and progress, preparing files for committee review, and responding to general inquiries.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and day-to-day coordination of work-study and student assistants.

Skills

University environment experience

Office customer service

Customer communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Basic graphics program

Job description

Job no: 562514
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 7 - CSUEU - Clerical and Administrative Support Services, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

Position Summary

Are you an organized, service-oriented professional who enjoys working in a collaborative academic environment? The Department of Political Science is seeking an Administrative Support Assistant II to provide day-to-day administrative support for faculty, advisors, students, and department programs. This position serves as an important point of contact for the department, helping keep office operations, events, purchasing, communications, and graduate program processes running smoothly.

Working closely with the Department Chair, Administrative Support Coordinator II, faculty, advisors, and students, the Administrative Support Assistant II will gain broad experience in university administration while supporting a diverse range of departmental activities. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys helping others, managing details, and contributing to a busy academic office.

Key Responsibilities

• Office & Front Desk Support: Provide front office and customer service support, including answering phones, assisting visitors, managing department communications, and helping maintain consistent office coverage.
• Administrative Coordination: Maintain departmental calendars, records, files, contact information, meeting materials, and other administrative systems while supporting day-to-day office operations.
• Event & Program Support: Coordinate logistics for departmental events, commencement, and program activities, including room reservations, technology, catering, communications, and event materials.
• Communications & Outreach: Support department and program websites, social media, Canvas announcements, mailing lists, and other communications that keep students and the campus community informed.
• Budget & Purchasing Support: Assist with faculty allocations, event purchases, travel reimbursements, inventory, and routine financial and payroll documentation under established procedures.
• Graduate Program Support: Assist with graduate admissions by maintaining application records, tracking materials and progress, preparing files for committee review, and responding to general inquiries.
• Student Employee Support: Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and day-to-day coordination of work-study and student assistants.

Why Join Us?

• Build University Experience: Gain broad exposure to academic administration, student services, events, communications, and department operations.
• Work with Faculty & Students: Support a diverse academic community and interact with faculty, advisors, graduate students, and undergraduate students throughout the department.
• Develop Transferable Skills: Strengthen your organization, communication, customer service, technology, and administrative skills in a professional setting.
• Support Meaningful Programs: Contribute to events, academic programs, and student opportunities within Political Science and related interdisciplinary programs.
• Join a Collaborative Team: Work alongside experienced university professionals while developing your knowledge of higher education operations.

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

• Full-time, benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• 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 eligible for telecommuting up to 1 day per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

Department Summary

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is dedicated to advancing the study of human expression, culture, language, history, governance, and creative practice. Through innovative teaching, research, and community engagement, the College prepares students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage responsibly in a complex global society.

CAL supports a wide range of academic departments, interdisciplinary programs, centers, and initiatives that foster intellectual inquiry, cultural understanding, civic engagement, and ethical leadership. The College is committed to inclusive excellence, academic rigor, and collaborative partnerships that connect scholarship to public life.

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

• Experience working in a university setting is preferred.
• Customer service experience in an office setting.
• Experience greeting and communicating instructions and information to customers.
• Experience with basic graphics program is preferred.

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 3 ($3,709 per month).
• 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.

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.

Supplemental Information

Apply by October 14, 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 theImmigration 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 SDS