Counseling Assistant

University of California; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo County seeks a Counseling Assistant to staff a high-volume counseling and orientation office, greet the public, schedule appointments, and maintain records.

Under supervision, you will manage scheduling software, prepare reports, assist with student success activities, and help coordinate counseling department events. Applicants should have a high school diploma, clerical experience, and strong communication; bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Two years increasingly responsible clerical experience including daily contact with the general public.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (oral and written).
• Associate Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist the public, students, and staff seeking counseling and orientation services.
• Schedule student appointments using department established scheduling software.
• Prepare correspondence, labels, flyers, and notices as necessary.
• Maintain calendars and schedules in the scheduling system.
• Provide reports from scheduling software to chair, dean, and director.
• Assist with counseling, orientation, and student success activities.

Skills

Clerical skills

Scheduling software

Customer service

Office management

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Scheduling software

Job description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision of a Student Services Dean or Director, perform a variety of clerical duties involved in scheduling counseling appointments, provide a welcoming presence, organize and manage the Counseling Department scheduling and check in area, assist in the implementation of the Student Support and Success Program core activities, and perform other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Counseling Assistant is distinguished from other classes in that the incumbent is responsible for running a high volume office that carries out Student Support and Success Program core activities, performs clerical duties related to scheduling appointments and providing assistance with departmental activities and events, which requires knowledge of college and statewide regulations, and the ability to give accurate information to students utilizing independent judgment in a variety of situations which require tact, discretion, and courtesy.

Incumbents in this position support student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by creating an office environment that allows students, staff and faculty to conduct District business in an effective and efficient manner thus increasing the access and success of students.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work

Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

• Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
• The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
• Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
• We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Greet and work with the public, students, and college staff as they seek to access counseling and orientation services;

• Disseminate information about counseling and orientation services;
• Interpret college policies and procedures and provide instruction to the public, students, faculty, and staff as related to counseling and orientation services;
• Prepare correspondence, labels, flyers, brochures, and notices as necessary;
• Assist in development of outreach on and off campus to increase the awareness of counseling and orientation services;
• Answer multiple phone lines and assist caller or forward as appropriate;
• Receive email inquiries regarding appointments and reply or forward as appropriate;
• Open and classify incoming mail and other information;
• Schedule student appointments using department established scheduling software;
• Provide students with appointment reminders by utilizing the appointment reminder functions of scheduling software or by another method deemed appropriate;
• Create and maintain calendars, schedules, and other functions of department established scheduling software;
• Provide chair, dean, and/or director with reports from scheduling and tracking software;
• Prepare student files (records and transcripts) in preparation for student appointments with counselors;
• Update, notes, contact records, and other student tracking data in scheduling software and student information system;
• Maintain referral list of on and off campus support services;
• Recruit, orient, train, and oversee student employees;
• Work independently with a minimum of supervision;
• Assist with counseling, orientation, and student success activities;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Process forms, as needed, distributing to appropriate departments;
• Maintain accuracy of information through attendance at staff meetings and workshops;
• Participate in IPPR Process;
• Assist counseling department faculty and staff with clerical tasks; and
• Perform other related duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

• Graduation from high school or equivalent;

Preferred

• Associate Degree;
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (oral and written).

Experience:

Required

• Two years increasingly responsible clerical experience including daily contact with the general public.

Preferred

• Previous student support position in secondary or higher education setting.

Knowledge of:

• Office management techniques and organizational skills;
• Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
• Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and
• District policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Operate a word processor, computer terminal and file scanner;
• Work independently with minimal supervision;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; and
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; and
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds; and
• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

License and Certificates

(current within the last year or must be continuously current)

Required

• Valid driver's license and eligible to obtain California driver's license upon hire

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two public safety offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.