Retention Specialist

California State University; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University Dominguez Hills is seeking a Retention Specialist to advance campus retention initiatives. This role will advise students, develop data-driven retention programs, and collaborate with academic units to close equity gaps and improve graduation outcomes.

The role reports to the Student Success Center and requires experience in student services, strong advising skills, and a focus on inclusive student success strategies.

Qualifications

• Education: Four-year degree with relevant counseling coursework.
• Experience: 3 years of professional student services; master’s may substitute for one year.
• Doctorate may substitute for three years for roles involving counseling.

Responsibilities

• Develop retention programming to foster belonging and academic identity.
• Use data and feedback to design retention initiatives addressing equity gaps.
• Support first-year students via early alert integration.
• Advise a caseload of students with regular advising sessions.
• Collaborate with college student success teams to analyze data and plan interventions.

Skills

Equity-centered advising

Student advising

Data-driven decisions

Communication & collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Counseling or related field

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Job no: 563948
Work type: Staff
Location: Dominguez Hills
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Department Name:Student Success Center, College ofNatural and Behavioral Sciences

Division:Academic Affairs

Classification Title: Student Services Professional III

Classification Salary Range: $5,540 - $7,893 per month

The anticipated salary for this position is $5,540 per month.

The final salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Student Success Director, the Retention Specialist will provide solution centered recommendations in support of campus and system-wide retention initiatives. The Retention Specialist will work in support of the strategic retention program in meeting the mission of the Center, College, and University. The incumbent will research and develop programming around student’s progress towards graduation; provide academic advising to a caseload of students with varying degrees of issues which may impact their academic advancement towards graduation; and collaborate with student success teams to collect, analyze and compile data to develop and review strategies and success indicators.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, identify, and develop retention programming that supports students to develop a sense of belonging, and an academic identity, and to explore strengths, interests, passions, etc.
• Leverage technology to monitor student data and faculty feedback to proactively support students and to develop retention programs and initiatives designed to close equity gaps and achieve student success outcomes.
• Work with academic departments and faculty mentors to support the use and integration of early alert system for first year students.
• Advise a caseload of students to provide significant and frequent advising opportunities, make decisions in individual cases to resolve student problems, and track each student cohort to ensure efficient degree completion.
• Work with college-based student success team to ensure data is inputted, maintained, and used to develop effective strategies and interventions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.

Experience: Equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of assets-based, equity centered advising approaches for individuals and groups.
• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Advise students using culturally responsive, assets-based, and equity-centered approaches individually and in groups on complex student-related matters.
• Ability to analyze and define a problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Maintain effective working relationships with a diverse student body, faculty, staff and with the general public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multilingual skill is desirable.

General Information

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance and State Law.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• California State University Dominguez Hills is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas.
• The CSU system offers a competitive total compensation benefits package for employees and qualifying dependents, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and tuition assistance. It is our goal to compensate employees equitably and fairly. You can access a full description of our benefits here .
• 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.

Closing Statement

California State University, Dominguez Hills, is strongly committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Human Resources Office at [phone].

California State University Dominguez Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

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.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.

Advertised: Nov 10 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Nov 24 2026 Pacific Standard Time