Educational Opportunity Program & Guardian Scholar Retention Advisor

CSUMB; Monterey (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

CSUMB invites applications for the Educational Opportunity Program & Guardian Scholars Retention Advisor position in Monterey. The role provides academic, career, and financial aid advising to EOP and Guardian Scholars students, helping them plan, stay on track, and succeed.

Under the supervision of senior leadership, you will develop student action plans, coordinate mentoring programs, train student staff, and connect students with campus resources to support retention and graduation.

Qualifications

• Professional student services work in advising.
• Experience with advising foster youth and Guardian Scholars is preferred.
• Knowledge of FERPA and campus policies is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal and academic advising to assigned caseload.
• Develop and monitor student action plans to increase academic and social success.
• Refer students to campus support services and counseling.
• Coordinate Guardian Scholars mentoring program with campus partners.
• Assist with outreach and recruitment of EOP and Guardian Scholars.

Skills

Counseling

Academic advising

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree substitution for experience

Job description

• Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California 1

Job Search Category/Discipline

• Student Services 1

Time Basis

• Full Time 1

Workplace Type (Exclude Inst Fac)

• On-site (work in-person at business location) 1

Educational Opportunity Program & Guardian Scholar Retention Advisor

Job no: 561648
Work type: Staff
Location: Monterey Bay
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Classification: Student Services Professional II
Hours:Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA:Exempt

Anticipated Hiring Salary: $5,084* mo.
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.

Priority Screening Date: September 13, 2025
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement , CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University , which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 22 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

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 include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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‑sexed 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.

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 forthinCSUExecutive 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 inCSU 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 theCSUInformation 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 theEmployee 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

CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.

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

EQUALOPPORTUNITYEMPLOYER:

CSUMBis 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.

Advertised: August 28, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open Until Filled