Program Coordinator, Undocumented Student Services - 140897

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego seeks a Program Coordinator to lead the Personal and Career Experience (PACE) program for AB 540 and CA Dream Act students, coordinating holistic guidance, mentorship, and financial support opportunities.

You will work closely with the USS Program Manager on developing, implementing, and evaluating professional development initiatives, while supervising student staff and coordinating services for undocumented students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a service delivery unit.
• Knowledge of learning theories and training models.
• Knowledge of college student development and pedagogical theories related to first-generation and students from under-served backgrounds.
• Knowledge of strategies in critical thinking, reading, writing, note taking, test taking, time management, and goal setting.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making.
• Problem solving skills with the ability to analyze situations, identify existing or potential problems, recommend solutions, and determine/implement procedures to accomplish effective resolution.
• Develops knowledge of specific learning theory, learning styles, affective issues, academic issues, and socio-cultural issues in applying academic support for students.
• Develops knowledge of current and theoretical models that influence the application and delivery of academic services (e.g., discipline specific; student-population specific).
• Demonstrated competencies working with undocumented students and students with mixed-status families.
• Multicultural competencies; knowledge and experience working and interacting effectively with diverse groups of staff, faculty, and student populations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and validate the needs, experiences, and concerns of undocumented and students with mixed-status families and issues facing low income, first generation, underrepresented and/or underprepared students in higher ed.
• Oral and written communication skills; interpersonal and presentation skills. Demonstrated presentation skills and experience conducting workshops, group facilitation, and seminars.
• Ability to communicate information in small and large group settings.
• Demonstrated skill reading, analyzing, and explaining complex and detailed documents related to undocumented students, including federal and state law regulations. Skill to articulate program descriptions and requirements to a variety of individuals with broad educational, cultural, and language backgrounds.
• Proficient computer skills including databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and web-based systems.
• Skills in utilizing effective social media outlets to publicize events and programs to increase attendance and participation.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of current local, state, and federal policy and law impacting undocumented immigrants.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of college students.
• Experience developing partnerships and cultivating collaborative working relationships with internal and external constituencies including local, state, and national organizations focused on serving undocumented and immigrant groups.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the services and resources available to undocumented students.
• Demonstrated skills in service orientation, organization, active listening, and critical thinking. Proven organizational ability to prioritize tasks and produce timely results in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities using initiative, sound judgement, and independent thought while maintaining a high level of professionalism, precise attention to detail, and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in establishing objectives, setting priorities, and working with others in support of departmental objectives and goals.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervising student staff, motivation, and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of current and future professional development and networking programs.
• Identifies, implements and evaluates high-impact innovative opportunities that foster community belonging and growth: develops program goals and objectives, monitors and tracks expenses, and prepares periodic reports of activities.
• Facilitates individualized student consultations to provide holistic guidance, referrals, and support strategies for students.
• Assists with the coordination of basic needs initiatives and programs.
• Facilitates training on a variety of topics to support student success.
• Recruits, trains and supervises paid and volunteer student staff.
• Under the guidance and direction of the USS Program Manager serves as a lead as needed on special projects and event committees performing related assignments.
• Supports the day-to-day operations of Undocumented Student Services, which serves to enrich the student experience and support the retention and success of students who are undocumented at UC San Diego.

Skills

Learning theories

Pedagogical theories

Communication skills

Problem solving

Program coordination

Supervising student staff

Multicultural awareness

Public speaking

Data literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Databases

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Web-based systems

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 8/28/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The USS Program Coordinator works closely with the USS Program Manager to provide and coordinate holistic support services and programs designed to enhance the educational experience for undocumented and mixed-status family students at UC San Diego.

The Program Coordinator is the lead for the Personal and Career Experience (PACE) program, an inclusive fellowship that is unique to UC San Diego and provides AB 540 & CA Dream Act undergraduate students opportunities to participate in an experiential learning opportunity comprised of mentorship, professional development and financial support.

Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of current and future professional development and networking programs. Identifies, implements and evaluates high-impact innovative opportunities that foster community belonging and growth: develops program goals and objectives, monitors and tracks expenses, and prepares periodic reports of activities. Facilitates individualized student consultations to provide holistic guidance, referrals, and support strategies for students.

Assists with the coordination of basic needs initiatives and programs. Facilitates training on a variety of topics to support student success.

Recruits, trains and supervises paid and volunteer student staff.

Under the guidance and direction of the USS Program Manager serves as a lead as needed on special projects and event committees performing related assignments. Supports the day-to-day operations of Undocumented Student Services, which serves to enrich the student experience and support the retention and success of students who are undocumented at UC San Diego.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience in a service delivery unit.

• Knowledge of learning theories and training models. Demonstrated knowledge of college student development and pedagogical theories related to first-generation and students from under-served backgrounds.

• Knowledge of how learning skills issues apply to a research institution.

• Knowledge of strategies in critical thinking, reading, writing, note taking, test taking, time management, and goal setting.

• Skills in judgment and decision-making.

• Problem solving skills with the ability to analyze situations, identify existing or potential problems, recommend solutions, and determine/implement procedures to accomplish effective resolution.

• Develops knowledge of specific learning theory, learning styles, affective issues, academic issues, and socio-cultural issues in applying academic support for students.

• Develops knowledge of current and theoretical models that influence the application and delivery of academic services (e.g., discipline specific; student-population specific).

• Demonstrated competencies working with undocumented students and students with mixed-status families.

• Multicultural competencies; knowledge and experience working and interacting effectively with diverse groups of staff, faculty, and student populations.

• Demonstrated ability to identify and validate the needs, experiences, and concerns of undocumented and students with mixed-status families and issues facing low income, first generation, underrepresented and/or underprepared students in higher ed.

• Oral and written communication skills; interpersonal and presentation skills. Demonstrated presentation skills and experience conducting workshops, group facilitation, and seminars.

• Ability to communicate information in small and large group settings.

• Demonstrated skill reading, analyzing, and explaining complex and detailed documents related to undocumented students, including federal and state law regulations. Skill to articulate program descriptions and requirements to a variety of individuals with broad educational, cultural, and language backgrounds.

• Proficient computer skills including databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and web-based systems.

• Skills in utilizing effective social media outlets to publicize events and programs to increase attendance and participation.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of current local, state, and federal policy and law impacting undocumented immigrants.

• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of college students.

• Experience developing partnerships and cultivating collaborative working relationships with internal and external constituencies including local, state, and national organizations focused on serving undocumented and immigrant groups.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the services and resources available to undocumented students.

• Demonstrated skills in service orientation, organization, active listening, and critical thinking. Proven organizational ability to prioritize tasks and produce timely results in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities using initiative, sound judgement, and independent thought while maintaining a high level of professionalism, precise attention to detail, and accuracy.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently in establishing objectives, setting priorities, and working with others in support of departmental objectives and goals.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervising student staff, motivation, and evaluation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Fluent in English and any other language.

• Master's degree from an accredited four year university in higher education, student affairs administration, counseling education, student development, leadership, or related field.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Evening and weekend hours may be necessary.

• This position is a mandated reporter of known or suspected child abuse or neglect, according to the California law, Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).

• Position is expected to work onsite 3 - 4 days per week and as needed due to programming or other operational needs.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: Unclassified - No data available

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).