Job Summary

*This is a temporary, benefited, 3 year appointment with the possibility of extension*

The Student Support Specialist supports San José State University’s commitment to student success and equity by advancing retention and persistence efforts under the CSU Advancing Student Achievement Program (ASAP) grant. The position is responsible for providing culturally responsive services that enhance the educational experiences and promote the success of low-income, first-generation, and underserved Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students, as well as other underrepresented student populations. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Identity-Based Retention Centers, the Student Support Specialist implements proactive outreach and engagement strategies to support students throughout the student lifecycle—including first-year, transfer, and continuing students—in navigating the university, connecting to campus resources, and persisting from term to term. The Student Support Specialist provides guidance on university systems and fosters a sense of belonging and academic success. A key function of this role is to support re-enrollment and ongoing retention efforts by identifying and conducting outreach to students who are not enrolled in subsequent terms. Using tools such as phone banking and student data systems, the Student Support Specialist assesses barriers to persistence, including academic, financial, housing, and basic needs challenges and facilitates timely referrals to appropriate campus services. The position collaborates closely with academic advising units and campus partners to ensure coordinated support, while not serving as a primary academic advisor. The Student Support Specialist contributes to the CSU ASAP grant-funded initiatives and targeted retention strategies, including efforts to improve outcomes for male-identified undergraduate students, and supports data tracking and reporting to strengthen retention outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of CSU ASAP grant initiatives focused on AANHPI and other disproportionately impacted student populations.
• Conduct proactive outreach to first-year and transfer students (with an emphasis on AANHPI, low-income, and first-generation populations) to support successful transition to SJSU.
• Design and implement engagement strategies that increase students’ sense of belonging, connection, and awareness of campus resources.
• Provide students guidance on navigating university systems, policies, and processes (e.g., enrollment, registration, use of campus platforms).
• Maintain accurate records of student participation and engagement for reporting purposes.
• Identify and track students who stop out or do not enroll from term to term using institutional data systems.
• Conduct outreach (including phone banking campaigns, email, and text) to assess barriers to persistence and re-enrollment.
• Support re-engagement efforts by connecting students to appropriate campus services and facilitating their return.
• Serve as a liaison between students and campus partners, including the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE), academic advising units across colleges, financial aid, housing, and basic needs services.
• Ensure timely referrals and warm handoffs to appropriate offices to address student barriers.
• Maintain detailed records of student contacts, outreach efforts, and outcomes using designated systems.
• Analyze trends in student engagement, retention, and stop-out patterns to inform program adjustments.
• Prepare reports and summaries to support grant compliance and institutional decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and respectfully with diverse student populations, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Working knowledge of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI), first-generation, low-income, and other historically underserved college students.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive, asset-based, and equity-minded practices that support student retention, persistence, and sense of belonging.
• Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of student success, retention, and persistence strategies in higher education, particularly for first-year, transfer, and continuing students.
• Ability to conduct proactive outreach and engagement using multiple modalities (e.g., phone banking systems, email campaigns, student information systems).
• Ability to assess student needs and barriers (academic, financial, housing, basic needs) and make appropriate referrals to campus resources.
• Working knowledge of campus resources and ability to navigate and explain university systems, policies, and procedures to students.
• Ability to collect, track, and analyze student data, and prepare clear, concise reports for program assessment and grant requirements.
• Ability to use a broad range of computer applications and systems (e.g., CRM tools, student databases, Google Suite).
• Ability to take initiative, collaborate, and complete projects independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and projects, effectively organize work, and meet deadlines while following safety and confidentiality protocols.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive student information and performing complex tasks.
• Ability to keep supervisor informed of progress toward goals, challenges, and relevant campus partner initiatives.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to plan outreach efforts, events, and follow-up activities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate group workshops, presentations, and student engagement activities.
• Ability to recommend improvements to programs and services using student feedback and data-informed practices.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support student outreach and programming.
• 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 one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field.
• Two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field. A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, or a related field.
• Experience: 1-2 years of experience supporting student retention, persistence, or student success initiatives in a college or university setting.
• Experience working with Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students and/or implementing culturally responsive programming.
• Experience conducting proactive outreach and engagement (e.g., phone banking, case management, CRM systems, or student success platforms).
• Experience collaborating with multiple campus partners (e.g., academic advising, financial aid, housing, basic needs programs).
• Experience developing or facilitating workshops, programs, or student engagement initiatives.
• Experience using data to inform outreach, programming, or retention strategies.

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,083/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,083/month - $7,228/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

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: August 26, 2026 through September 16, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

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 at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

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 Office or 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 at https://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 at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this 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 at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

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.