Working Title: Director of First Star Sacramento State Academy

Classification Title: Administrator I

Posting Details 

Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): Sunday, June 22, 2025 @ 11:55pm PT

Hiring Preference
Not Applicable

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Associate Dean, Student Affairs, Student Engagement and Success, the Director of First Star Sacramento State Academy (FSSSA) is charged with directing and developing programs that aim to provide the academic support, enrichment, resources, and encouragement needed to assist current foster youth in becoming competitive college applicants to enroll and succeed in college.

The Director provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for the First Star Sacramento State Academy (FSSSA), driving initiatives that strengthen community partnerships, enhance student recruitment, and increase retention of current and prospective students. Serving as the principal architect of outreach and engagement strategies, the Director develops and executes long-range plans to build sustainable alliances with schools, community organizations, and stakeholders that align with FSSSA’s mission to expand educational opportunities for foster youth.

In a key leadership capacity, the Director reports to and serves as the lead designee for the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Student Engagement & Success. In this role, the Director shapes and advances high-impact initiatives aimed at preparing foster youth for college access and success. This includes the creation and implementation of strategic planning frameworks, policy guidance, and data-informed processes that support program growth and student achievement.

The Director also provides executive oversight and direction to program staff, fostering a culture of professional development, accountability, and innovation. In addition, the Director leads coordinated communications and support strategies for student participants and their extended support networks (i.e., social workers, therapists, attorneys, school staff, wrap team, etc.) and First Star National to ensure a cohesive, student-centered approach across all touchpoints.

The Director also leads new emerging initiatives in support of advancing a culture of excellence in recruitment, retention, and graduation efforts for current foster youth. In this role, the Director is charged with providing leadership, guidance, and supervision to program staff, student assistants, and special consultants.

FLSA:  Exempt (not eligible for overtime)

Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,135 per month - $7,437 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,135 per month - $12,288 per month

Best-in-class Benefits: Click here to learn more

CSU Total Compensation: Click here to learn more

Salary Grade/Range:  1

Recruitment Type: Temporary (At-Will). Position is ongoing contingent on external funding.

Time Base: Full-Time

Pay Plan: 12 months 

Work Hours: Monday - Fridays, 8am-5pm. Occasional weekend and evening hours will be required.

Department Information 

The Sacramento State First Star Academy for Foster Youth at California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) is a collaborative effort by California State University, Sacramento; First Star Inc.; the Sacramento County Child, Family, and Adult Services Department (DCFAS), and other local stakeholders.
https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/engagement-success/first-star-academy.html

1. Bachelor’s Degree in related field from an accredited university.
2. Five (5) years of professional experience working with vulnerable student populations, preferably foster youth, first-generation, and low income students, or other related work experience.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience applying strategic planning concepts, theories, and practices, including organizational models, and best practices.
4. Experience developing and implementing policies, protocols, strategic planning, and goal setting.
5. Management skills; ability to recruit, hire, and professionally develop staff and managers to create highly productive teams.
6. Thorough knowledge and understanding of program intervention models and “best practice” trends that promote student success.
7. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills to effectively correspond with constituents, the campus, and the community and to leverage key partnerships.
8. Strong customer service philosophy for both internal and external constituents and a thorough understanding of the in-depth needs of students from underserved communities.
9. Experience with K-12 outreach, support, program, and collaborative planning with equity stakeholders and leaders in the K-12 sector.
10. Ability to understand and implement program components emerging from the Sacramento State and California State University strategic plans.
11. Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with executive leaders, faculty, staff, students, caregivers, and community members.
12. Experience developing and managing budgets.
13. Experience working with a diverse population including communicating with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic, and educational levels. Also effective in communication in individual or large group settings, as well as from subordinate staff to senior and executive level administrators.
14. Skills in working independently and in solution-oriented ways exercising sound professional judgment and program planning expertise.
15. Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.
16. Ability to work weekends and evenings.

Preferred Qualifications 

1. Master’s Degree in related field from an accredited university.
2. Experience with successful fundraising, grant writing, request for proposals, and community contract processes for targeted populations.
3. Experience working with AmeriCorps and College Corps programs.
4. Seven (7) or more years’ progressively responsible experience in student success and/or student services.
5. Experience developing reports and tracking mechanisms to document case management, engagement, advising, recruitment and retention to provide evidence of equity, services, and support for students served.
6. Experience managing staff in a collective bargaining work environment.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Failure to upload required documentation may result in disqualification.

You will also be prompted to respond to a set of supplemental questions as part of your application.

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State is a Hispanic and AANAPISI serving institution with about 31,000 students coming not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:

“As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming, caring, and inclusive leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching, research, scholarship and creative activity; justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement, and wellness and safety.

As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued.  Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning. 

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.

Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html.

The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/learning-development/support/csu-learn.html.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Fire Safety Right-To-know Act Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request from the Office of Clery Compliance & Training by emailing clery@csus.edu.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance & Training as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Background Check Disclaimer

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Effective May 2023, per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all California State University, Sacramento employees who are accessing office and campus facilities 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. 

Out of State Employment

Sacramento State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees (up)on date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Eligibility Verification

Candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (ie. H-1-B Visa).

Note to Applicants:

Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview unless required by collective bargaining agreement.