Senior Student Academic Success Specialist - 3 positions

California State University, Chico; California; On-site; USD 61,826 - 88,085; Full time

Job summary

San José State University is seeking a Senior Student Academic Success Specialist to support first- and second-year undeclared undergraduates via advising, coaching, and student-centered programs.

The role manages a caseload, develops proactive interventions, and designs initiatives to promote persistence and degree completion while collaborating with faculty and campus partners.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field with relevant counseling coursework.
• Three years of professional student services experience; master's degree may substitute for one year.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic academic advising to first- and second-year undergraduates.
• Develop individualized academic plans and guide degree requirements.

Skills

Advising skills

Coaching

Problem solving

Communication

Equity & inclusion

Documentation

Education

Master's degree in Counseling

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Student information systems

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Senior Student Academic Success Specialist - 3 positions

Job no: 559825
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

The Senior Student Academic Success Specialist supports the academic success, retention, and engagement of first- and second-year undeclared undergraduate students through comprehensive academic advising, success coaching, and student-centered programming. Working under limited supervision, the incumbent independently manages a student caseload, develops proactive interventions, and designs initiatives that promote student persistence and timely degree completion. This position serves as a key resource in helping students navigate academic requirements, university policies, and campus resources while fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The role contributes significantly to institutional student success, retention, and graduation goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide holistic academic advising and success coaching to an assigned cohort of first- and second-year undergraduate students.
• Develop individualized academic plans and guide students in understanding degree requirements, academic policies, and university procedures.
• Utilize a case management approach to monitor student progress, maintain advising documentation, and implement timely interventions.
• Design, develop, and deliver workshops, communications, and programming that support student transition, engagement, and academic success.
• Connect students with appropriate campus resources and coordinate referrals to address academic and personal success needs.
• Monitor student achievement using advising technologies and early alert systems to improve retention and persistence.
• Participate in orientation, outreach, and university initiatives that promote student success and reduce equity gaps.
• Build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and campus partners to support student achievement and continuous improvement.
• Assist students with petitions, academic standing issues, schedule changes, and other university processes.
• Support departmental initiatives and perform additional duties as assigned to advance student success objectives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of academic advising principles, student development theory, and student success best practices.
• Knowledge of university academic policies, degree requirements, FERPA, and higher education regulations.
• Strong advising, coaching, interviewing, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer service communication skills.
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse student populations using equitable and inclusive practices.
• Strong organizational, documentation, project management, and programming skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret complex policies and communicate information clearly to students, faculty, and staff.
• Proficiency with student information systems, advising technologies, and Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities while working collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective workshops, outreach, and student success programming.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution, where such are job-related.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree in educational counseling or a related field.
• Experience providing academic advising or student support services to college students in a post-secondary institution.
• Experience utilizing advising, case management, or intervention strategies to support student academic progress.
• Experience coordinating programs, initiatives, or projects within a college or university setting.

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $5,667/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,540/month - $7,893/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .