Educational Opportunity Program & Guardian Scholar Retention Advisor

California State University, Monterey Bay; Monterey (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium benefits

Housing assistance

15 paid holidays

Job summary

California State University, Monterey Bay is seeking a Student Services Professional II to support the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Guardian Scholars. You will provide academic, career, and financial aid advising to assigned caseload, help with referrals, and foster student success.

The role involves developing plans, coordinating workshops, and collaborating with campus units to enhance retention and graduation outcomes for historically underserved students.

Qualifications

• Education as described: four-year college degree or equivalent in behavioral sciences, public or business administration or related field.
• Two years of professional experience in a student services program area or related field; masters may substitute for one year.
• Experience with advising, counseling and coordinating with campus units is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal and academic advising to EOP and Guardian Scholars students.
• Develop action plans, monitor academic progress, and refer to campus resources.
• Coordinate workshops and programs for first-generation and foster youth students.
• Maintain accurate documentation and data on caseloads.
• Supervise student staff and assist with trainings and development.

Skills

Student advising

Caseload management

Data interpretation

Collaborative skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Oracle/PeopleSoft

CSU CMS

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

25Live

Job description

Classification: Student Services Professional II
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $5,084* mo.
Priority Screening Date: September 13, 2025
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

CSU Salary Schedule

• CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.

Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Senior Director of Early Outreach Support Programs and the daily work direction of the Associate Director, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Guardian Scholars Retention Advisor provides student support services to EOP students and Guardian Scholars participants. EOP is designed to improve access and retention of historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. The Guardian Scholars program is a part of EOP and it provides holistic support services for former and current foster youth, wards of the court, unaccompanied homeless youth, and youth under legal guardianship. The EOP and Guardian Scholars Advisor will assist in developing, planning and facilitating opportunities to support the academic success, retention and graduation of EOP and Guardian Scholars participants. The incumbent provides academic, career, and financial aid advising to assigned caseload. Furthermore, this position will make referrals to counseling services and other community organizations to support the growth and development of EOP and Guardian Scholars.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs professional student services work in the areas of personal and academic advising. Meets with EOP and Guardian Scholars individually and in small groups to provide counseling in the areas of academic planning, course selection, adjustment to the university, academic and campus life. Develops, facilitates and monitors student action plans to increase academic and social success. Refers students to academic and student support services. Monitors student academic progress in order to retain students and provide early interventions to those on academic probation or at-risk.
• Uses an asset-based approach to develop, coordinate and implement workshops, activities, and fieldtrips that are culturally-relevant, educational programs and strategies for students who are first in their families to attend college, come from historically low-income backgrounds and under-resourced schools and communities. Collaborates with appropriate campus units and community organizations to develop and implement study skills, career development, academic success and student leadership opportunities that build upon the strengths of EOP and Guardian Scholars students to enhance academic and student success.
• Maintains appropriate documentation of services provided and accurate and up to date electronic files of assigned caseload. Collects and interprets data using student information reports and program surveys and/or assessments.
• Trains and supervises student staff. Supports and maintains good communication with assigned student staff to ensure program goals and activities are met. Assist with student staff trainings and professional development. Helps provide a safe and welcoming environment for Guardian Scholars.
• Coordinates the Guardian Scholars mentoring program in collaboration with on campus and community partners to provide mentor and mentee opportunities. Serves as a liaison to various departments on campus to ensure needs of Guardian Scholars are met.
• Participates in professional development opportunities and activities to continually evolve best practices and stay abreast of innovative and research based best-practices to support EOP and GS students. Actively participate in the Former Foster Youth Higher Education Consortium meetings. Assist in the development of program evaluation instruments, data collection, analyses and reporting of program participants.
• Assists with outreach and recruitment of EOP and Guardian Scholars. Provides pre-admission guidance and support to incoming EOP and Guardian Scholars students. Reviews and interprets documentation that establishes students’ foster youth, legal guardianship or homeless status.
• Support with Summer Bridge and Transfer Bridge programs for incoming EOP/GS students.

Other Functions

• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Working knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior; procedures and activities of the program to which assigned; general knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management. General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.
Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations; use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements; obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data; advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required; recognize multicultural, multi- sexual, and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts; and, rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs of the campus to which assigned. Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job- related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Experience: Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior academic advising or student services experience in a public 4-year university. Familiarity with Title V and CSU General Education requirements. Second language fluency. Experience working with low-income, first-generation college students and current or former foster youth. Working knowledge of FERPA and other federal regulations related to the release of educational records to third parties, general university policies and procedures, and academic program requirements.
Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent student information system; Microsoft Office Professional; Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Forms, etc.); 25Live; intranet drives; and internet browsers and calendaring programs.

Special Conditions Of Employment & Position Designations

• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
• The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
• 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.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position withaccess to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards.
• This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
• Must possess and maintain a valid license to drive in the State of California, pass the Defensive Training Class, and be insurable under the University's liability coverage.

Physical Environment

Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.
The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

Benefits/Perks

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. For more information, visit the Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at [phone] or emailing [e-mail].

All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.

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.

General Information

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E–Verify employer. In compliance with federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, you can view the notice of availability and access the Cal State University, Monterey Bay annual security and fire safety reports at https://csumb.edu/clery/asr-and-fsr-notices-availability/.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.