Transition Success Counselor, Guardian Scholars Program

The California State University; California (MO); On-site; USD 66,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University, San José campus seeks a Transition Success Counselor to provide non-clinical guidance to current or former foster youth, wards of the court, and unaccompanied homeless youth. You will conduct meetings, refer students to campus and community resources, and deliver workshops in collaboration with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities include life-skills coaching, assessments, goal setting, and crisis management to support retention and success.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, with upper division or graduate coursework in counseling or related areas.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. A master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Experience with foster youth, homelessness, or first-generation students is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic life skills coaching to Guardian Scholars students as they transition to and through university.
• Conduct assessments, crisis management, goal setting, and transition plan meetings.
• Monitor progress through check-ins and proactive outreach; document challenges and referrals.
• Serve as liaison to Academic Advising, faculty, and support services; coordinate with external partners.
• Develop, implement, and assess Trauma-Informed programming and advocate for foster youth.

Skills

Holistic student support

Counseling techniques

Crisis management

Group facilitation

Written & verbal communication

Confidentiality

Stakeholder collaboration

Program assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field

Master’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology or related field

Tools

Maxient database

Canvas

Oracle/PeopleSoft

CSU Common Management System

Google Workspace

Excel

Job description

Job no: 560037
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Student Services

Under the general supervision of the Director of the Guardian Scholars Program, the Transition Success Counselor is responsible for providing non-clinical, academic and personal guidance to students who identify as current or former foster youth, wards of the court, youth under legal guardianship and unaccompanied homeless youth as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The incumbent will: conduct one-on-one and group meetings; submit referrals to campus and community resources based on student needs by working with county representatives; and provide workshops for the Guardian Scholar student population. The Transition Success Counselor will work collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders to create opportunities that support the retention, persistence and overall success of Guardian Scholars students. Traditionally, the Transition Success Counselor will also act as a liaison between the Guardian Scholars Program and government organizations and remain informed of all legislation impacting foster youth at the child welfare level.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide holistic life skills coaching to support Guardian Scholars students’ personal and social development as they transition to and through their university journey.
• Conduct assessments, crisis management, goal setting, and transition plan meetings for assigned students and support them in identifying individualized goals.
• Monitor the progress of Guardian Scholars students in the caseload with check-ins, scheduled meetings, or proactive outreach and communication, responding to students’ questions, concerns, and needs.
• Maintain records and summary reports of student interactions including documenting student challenges, referrals provided to the student, and any necessary or required follow-up.
• Serve as GSP liaison and provide support, advocacy, intervention, and referrals to students as it relates to Academic Advising, Faculty concerns, and connecting with other support services/programs/centers on campus.
• Manage Early Support alerts related to basic needs support for students in GSP - provide timely phone, email, and in-person outreach.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and assessment of Trauma Informed programming to assist former foster youth and unhoused students in their transition from high school and community college.
• Work closely with foster youth programs, foster youth consortiums, the Chancellor's Office, local school districts, and community agencies and participates in foster youth advocacy and advisory councils.
• Attend conferences/meetings and maintain a working knowledge of developments/legislation on issues addressing current and former foster youth, access and equity programs, and academic advising.
• Remain informed of all legislation impacting foster youth at the child welfare level and inform other Guardian Scholars personnel of new policies and procedures relating to foster youth at the child welfare level that may have an impact on current and prospective Foster Youth Guardian Scholars participants.
• Assist graduating Guardian Scholars with their post-graduation plan for housing, employment, internships and graduate school.
• Assist students in searching for graduate opportunities and with the completion of graduate school applications including gathering necessary documents, financial resources for application fees, connecting students to liaisons who serve former foster youth and unhoused students.
• Support the Guardian Scholars Director and Program Coordinator with recruitment, hiring, training, directing, supervision, and evaluation of student employees and interns.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of and skill in working with historically underserved student communities.
• Knowledge of multicultural and identity development and frameworks for related diversity training.
• Knowledge of local and national community organizations that support current and former Foster Youth and unhoused student population (i.e. John Burton, McKinney Vento Liaisons, Pivotal, The Hub, etc).
• Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of assessment techniques and ability to develop cohesive reports.
• Ability to use a broad range of computer skills and software.
• Ability to take initiative, collaborate, and complete projects.
• Ability to prepare various documents including operations manuals and procedures, program and activity schedules, proposals, and monitor budgets.
• Ability to conceptualize program functions and procedures and implement those relevant to improving program efficiency.
• Apply judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality in performing complex tasks.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to advise potential students, parents, and high school and community college staff individually and in group settings.
• Ability to apply high-level analytical skills to take effective action while independently carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to promote, organize and facilitate group meetings.
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple work priorities and organize various projects and to follow safety and confidentiality protocols.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

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

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or other related field.
• Three or more years of professional experience in higher education or student affairs.
• Experience working with students who have experienced foster care, out-of-home placement, and/or homelessness, and are first-generation.
• Ability to cultivate a sense of belonging amongst students; advise students and connect them with relevant resources.
• Ability to be inclusive of a diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the public; and ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Working knowledge of the Maxient database system, Canvas, Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent student information system; and Google Workspace and calendaring programs.
• Experience with (i.e. PeopleSoft, FileMaker Pro, Excel Spreadsheet) or comparable databases.

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,540/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.

Application Procedure

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: July 22, 2026 through August 9, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found athttps://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent [e-mail] .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Officeor report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

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.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing athttps://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email [e-mail] .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing athttps://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of the report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email [e-mail] .

Campus Security Authority

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Jul 22 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: