Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the Student Success Counselor provides holistic support for the program participants under Cal Poly Scholars, EOP, TRIO Achievers, and other similar program participants. The Student Success Counselor offers support services to program participants and holds a high level of responsibility for the smooth transition and retention of first-generation and low-income students at Cal Poly. The incumbent is charged with the monitoring of program participants’ student success through student persistence and graduation rates. First-generation and/or low-income support (such as Cal Poly Scholars, EOP, and TRIO Achievers) programs are highly visible programs that combine access, academic support, holistic advising and supplemental financial assistance to make higher education possible for students who have the potential to succeed, despite poor preparation and limited resources. Proactive counseling, retention objectives, and program planning assist with the timely progress toward degree attainment for program participants.

Participating in these programs allow students access to counselors so students can utilize a wide array of enhanced supports that promote student success, self-advocacy, diversity, equity and inclusion awareness, co-curricular involvement and timely progress toward their degree, career/graduate school planning and university graduation.

Department Summary

Within the division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Residential Student Experience, Equity and Transition (RESET) provides comprehensive programs that offer transition and retention services to students. These programs include Cal Poly Scholars, Career Services, Center for Military Connected Students, Disability Resource Center, Educational Opportunity Program, Residential Student Experience, TRIO Achievers, and Upward Bound.

Key Qualifications

• General knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and trends of higher education, as well as general knowledge of policies, procedures and practices of providing student services support to first-generation and/or low-income students.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduate from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques.
• Equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student service 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.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $69,804 - $77,951 Per Year

Classification Range: $66,480 - $94,716 Per Year

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.