Senior Student Academic Success Specialist - 3 positions

The California State University; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 61,826 - 88,085; Full time

Job summary

San José State University seeks a Senior Student Academic Success Specialist to support first- and second-year undeclared undergraduates through advising, coaching, and student-centered programming. You will manage a caseload, develop proactive interventions, and design initiatives to promote persistence and timely degree completion.

Under limited supervision, the role engages with faculty and staff to connect students with campus resources, monitor progress with advising tech, and deliver

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college with related coursework.
• Three years of professional student services work experience; master's/doctorate substitutions allowed.
• Knowledge of counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution is desirable.
• Experience with advising, case management, or intervention strategies is beneficial.

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, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor student progress using a case management approach and maintain advising documentation.
• Design, develop, and deliver workshops and programming that support student transition and engagement.
• Coordinate referrals to campus resources and monitor retention metrics to close equity gaps.

Skills

Academic advising

Student development

FERPA knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Case management

Workshop design

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Student information systems

Advising technologies

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 .