Program Specialist

University of the Pacific; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, invites applications for a Program Specialist. Full-time position funded through June 30, 2028, focusing on retention, community engagement and leadership within CIP and Stockton Scholars.

The role develops mentoring programs, builds community partnerships, and supports underrepresented students with proactive coaching and programming, reporting to the Director, Community Involvement Program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Two (2) years of experience related to providing support and referral services to students, facilitating programs, supporting mentorship programs for peers and youth, and providing resources and information to underrepresented students in the local community.

Responsibilities

• Leads retention support services to CIP/SS participants by providing guidance, mentorship and advocacy to ensure improved retention and persistence.
• Develops and implements first year mentoring to promote student development, encouraging college engagement and leadership opportunities.
• Creates new and identifies existing pipelines and outreach opportunities in the local community, develops programming to support educational access, and presents workshops on CIP and SS in local schools.
• Leads student engagement in community education and outreach with CIP CHASING TRANSFER SUCCESS program, incl. pilot at Stagg, training mentors and developing curriculum for underrepresented 9th–12th graders.
• Lead programmatic efforts independently to support student identity and leadership development.
• Implements after hours programming and represents the program and the institution on and off campus.

Skills

Program support experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Program Specialist

Full Time · 12 months · Stockton

Open Date: 09/16/2026 • Close Date: 10/16/2026

Work performed during normal business hours, additional evening and weekend hours may be requested to support program projects and initiatives. Light travel within local community required.

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Primary Purpose

Reporting to the Director, Community Involvement Program, the Program Specialist will develop services and initiatives around retention, community engagement and leadership with the Community Involvement Program (CIP) and Stockton Scholars (SS) at Pacific; leading collaborations with Stockton Scholars for a strong cohort model and leading these CIP/SS students to provide mentorship in Stockton high schools promoting education and transitions into college. The Program Specialist serves as a belonging specialist supporting the retention of CIP students through intrusive collegiate coaching, resiliency, and well‑being focused outreach, intrusive advising and developmental support. As a member of the Division of Student Life, works to advance student development and retention; promotes diversity, inclusion and respect; and empowers students to thrive.

This position is funded for three (3) years only, through June 30, 2028.

Pacific offers full‑time employees a unique opportunity to live on our beautiful campus at below‑market rental rates - helping you save time and money on your commute.

Essential Functions

• Leads retention support services to participants of the CIP program and SS at Pacific by providing guidance, mentorship and advocacy to ensure improved retention and persistence.
• Develops and implements first year mentoring to promote student development, encouraging college engagement and leadership opportunities.
• Creates new and identifies existing pipelines and outreach opportunities in the local community, communicating with the Assistant Director CIP; develops appropriate programming to support the mission of promoting educational access, and presents educational workshops on CIP and SS in local schools.
• Leads student engagement in community education and outreach with a college preparatory iteration of CIP CHASING TRANSFER SUCCESS program beginning with developing a pilot program at Stagg. Preparation includes training and supervising mentors, and developing curriculum specific to underrepresented 9th‑12th graders encouraging higher education.
• Lead programmatic efforts independently to support student identity and leadership development.
• Implements after hours programming without supervision and representing program and the institution both on and off campus.
• Generates program assessment data and shares it monthly with the Executive Director.
• Is an engaged member of the Pacific community and performs relevant service such as committee membership. Active supporter and collaborator with Stockton Scholars.
• Assists the Director in creating and developing student programming. Participates in department, division, and University activities and events as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

This position serves as Campus Security Authority (CSA) as outlined by the Clery Act. CSAs have federally mandated responsibilities to report crimes that are reported to them.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision‑making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio‑cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio‑economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Two (2) years of experience related to providing support and referral services to students, facilitating programs, supporting mentorship programs for peers and youth, and providing resources and information to underrepresented students in the local community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Education, Counseling or related field.
• Experience supporting underrepresented, first generation college students.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence and the ability to successfully work with diverse constituencies including first-generation, low‑income and/or disabled students from a variety of racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong organizational, writing, interpersonal and technological skills.
• Demonstrated skill in database management, recording, tracking, analyzing and reporting of data.
• Demonstrated understanding of social justice issues, and sensitivity to concepts related to diversity, access, equity, and multiculturalism in higher education.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to the educational benefits of diversity in a University setting and how individuals from diverse backgrounds enhance overall student learning.
• Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to work effectively in a collegial and collaborative manner with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Possess and utilize effective interpersonal skills and sound judgment necessary to interact with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, and members of the local community.
• Effective communication skills and demonstrated ability to present professionally, express ideas clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing, especially the ability to simplify detailed information and articulate complex ideas in a manner that is easily understood.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and evaluate educational and informational programs.
• Demonstrated skill in developing strong partnerships with academic and administrative departments, student organizations, and community groups.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Analytical skills to evaluate program requirements, information, or problems in an objective manner and provide logical conclusions.
• Ability to understand and apply database concepts and use electronic media for correspondence and research.
• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work requires sitting for extended periods of time. Moderate standing and repetitive use of hands and wrists while using computer keyboard. Infrequent walking, climbing stairs, stooping, bending, kneeling and reaching. May be requested to lift up to 25 lbs.

Work Environment/Work Week/Travel: Work performed in a standard office environment. Work performed during normal business hours, additional evening and weekend hours may be requested to support program projects and initiatives. Light travel within local community.

Valid driver's license required. Incumbent must also be able to meet the University's fleet rules and be eligible to drive for University business. The University and its insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.

Hiring Range

$70,304 - $73,000. We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Background Check Statement

All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.

AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.

Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement

University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.