Position Summary

Join a dynamic team shaping the future of student success at San Diego State University!

The Program Director for Orientation and Transition Programs plays a pivotal role in creating a welcoming and inclusive campus experience for new students and their families. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Students for Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs, this position offers the opportunity to lead high-impact initiatives that support student engagement and success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and assessment of orientation and transition programs for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their families.
• Collaborate with departments across the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity and other university divisions to coordinate campus-wide orientation efforts.
• Supervise and mentor the SDSU Ambassadors program, overseeing 125–150 student assistants and leaders.
• Foster a sense of belonging and community for incoming students and families through innovative programming and outreach.
• Represent the university in various capacities, including occasional travel and evening/weekend commitments.

Why You Should Apply:

• Make a meaningful impact on the student experience at one of California’s leading public universities.
• Lead and innovate programs that shape the transition journey for thousands of new Aztecs each year.
• Join a passionate team dedicated to student success and institutional excellence.

Apply now and help shape the Aztec experience!

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. 
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (This position routinely involves travel, evening, and weekend work)
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

New Student and Parent Programs (NSPP), within the Office of the Dean of Students, provides students, parents and families with the preparation, information, and support necessary for student success as they enter the university community and enhance the academic and personal growth of SDSU students through a partnership between parents/families and the university. 

The Office of New Student and Parent Programs accomplishes this through collaborative partnerships with the campus and external communities, while respecting student access and diversity and engaging in assessment and continuous improvement of programs. 

New Student and Parent Programs, supports and enhances student success through Orientation, Transition and Retention initiatives.

• Supports new undergraduate and graduate SDSU students in their transition and retention to University life through quality orientation programs and student development initiatives to set a strong foundation for all students to achieve their academic and personal goals.
• Fosters a sense of community and belonging for SDSU students through their college transition by hiring, training and providing continuous professional development of 120 student leaders, the SDSU Ambassadors, to serve as the official student representatives, tour guides, and orientation leaders of San Diego State University.
• Cultivates a philosophy of partnership with parents and families of SDSU students through transition programs, such as Parent & Family Orientation, New Student and Family Convocation and Family Weekend.
• Fosters a sense of philanthropy and connection for SDSU parents and families through the Aztec Parents Association, the Aztec Parents Fund, and the Aztec Parents Advisory Board.
• Responds to changing student needs and expectations through the evaluation and assessment of new student programs, parent and family programs, resources and services, communications including orientation, transition and retention initiatives

For more information regarding the Office of New Student and Parent Programs, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related. 

Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent to four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems. 

A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job‑related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge or the ability to acquire knowledge of the following software:
  • PC – MS Office –Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Google applications (Mail, Calendar, Drive, Sheets, Docs, Slides, Forms, Chat, etc).
  • Campus Specific Applications including, but not limited to, EAB/SDSU Navigate, my.SDSU, etc.
  • Modern Campus Suite (e.g. Involve, Omni, etc.) 
  • VisualZen/VZO
  • Qualtrics
  • Canvas
  • Canva
  • PeopleSoft
• 5+ years of professional responsible experience working with orientation, transition, or parent/family programs is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,320 - $9,014/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $6,320/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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. 

SDSU 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 SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by August 12, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

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. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.