Job Summary

Reporting to the Administrative Services Manager and Executive Assistant to the Dean, the CAFES Advancement Coordinator provides comprehensive administrative oversight and support for the CAFES’ Advancement team.  In this position, the incumbent will support the coordination of efforts associated with Advancement and fundraising activities and college stakeholder engagement. This position provides administrative support to the college’s Assistant Dean of Advancement and External Relations, the Director(s) of Development, and the Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Communications and Student Leadership, and will interface directly with donors, volunteers, University Development and Alumni Engagement staff, department heads, college deans, and others in assisting the college in achieving its advancement and fundraising goals. This position will also provide general administrative support within the Dean’s Office as part of the Dean’s Office administrative services team.

Department Summary

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,200 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands-on learning. Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex, and Marine Transportation facilities at the Solano campus, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment.

Key Qualifications

• Proficiency in identifying, outlining, initiating, and coordinating multiple activities simultaneously in a rapidly changing environment in order to accomplish large-scale, complex projects with a broad, visible impact; setting deadlines with ability to reschedule and distribute work assignments based on shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated success in effective interpersonal interactions at all levels including in highly sensitive interpersonal situations; ability to maintain confidentiality, be personable, a team player and utilize professionalism in dealing with internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to make independent decisions on day-to-day operations of program, with a particular emphasis on interpreting and applying specialized policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively evaluate projects in order to analyze operational and procedural problems and develop, recommend, and evaluate proposed solutions.
• Strong independent judgment and ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures, and use own discretion to act when precedents do not exist, while taking initiative to address problems and develop practical and thorough solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write concisely and clearly, edit and rewrite materials submitted by others, and to revise documents quickly to meet deadlines.  Demonstrated ability to effectively write own reports at an advanced level.
• Thorough knowledge of office methods, procedures and practices; excellent organizational skills with ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously by applying working knowledge of the organization, programs and priorities; ability to be dependable and handle a complex, fast-paced work schedule with frequent disruptions, while giving attention to detail.
• Ability to understand problems from a broader perspective and anticipate the impact of administrative problems and decisions on other areas.
• Ability to meet deadlines with a finished and effective product using negotiation and persuasion skills to achieve results and expedite projects.
• Ability to troubleshoot most office/program administration problems and respond to all inquiries and requests related to program.
• Strong ability to research, review, analyze and present budgetary/financial, stakeholder demographics or other data in a clear and concise manner to various levels of authority in internal and external reports and presentations.
• Strong working knowledge of budget policies and procedures.
• Expertise in office software packages including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software and online communication systems. Thorough knowledge of electronic calendars and e-mail, and query tools such as Ellucian Advance, Reeher, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Mergent Online, etc. 
• Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies, and procedures.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or its equivalent. Type 45 wpm. Five years of general office support or technical experience. Training at a vocational school or full-time college education may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of college education for 6 months of experience.
• Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,367 - $5,649 monthly

Classification Range: $4,367- $6,362 monthly

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.