Position Summary

The Assistant Director provides critical leadership to the Basic Needs Center by overseeing and managing all functions related to programming management and center operations. This role ensures the effective delivery of preventive and support services to students facing basic needs and insecurities at SDSU.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the supervision of professional and student staff
• Manage program operations, including reporting requirements, budget oversight, and allocation of funds
• Contribute to strategic planning and program development
• Serve as the primary administrator in the absence of the Director, acting as a campus liaison to ensure the availability and accuracy of Basic Needs Center information, marketing, and education
• Provide substantial administrative support to the Director, including conducting and attending meetings on their behalf
• Coordinate data collection efforts
• Collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies, university departments, and community organizations

This role demands a high level of decision-making, collaboration with campus and community partners, and leadership in implementing initiatives designed to improve student success and retention. A considerable degree of tact and persuasiveness is required to achieve desired outcomes and foster understanding and cooperation.

If you are passionate about supporting students and have strong leadership skills, we encourage you to apply. Join us in making a significant impact on our campus community!

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, 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.  
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Student Financial Resource sub-division, within the Division of Student Affairs & Campus Diversity houses four separate student service offices- the Student Financial Center (SFC), the Financial Aid Office and the Scholarship Office, and the Basic Needs/Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT). This subdivision focuses on delivering student-centered engagement in an environment that is transparent, highly regulated and compliance driven under the leadership of an Assistant Vice President.

The Basic Needs department serves as a multidisciplinary space to house and support campus basic needs initiatives. The space serves as a wellness hub for presentations and workshops and where students can meet with ECRT case managers and community partners to receive one-on-one personalized support for their basic needs. Programming in the basic needs center will address financial wellness, nutrition, and cooking education, CalFresh education and enrollment, and more.

The Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT), housed within Basic Needs, aims to bridge the gap in resources for students experiencing immediate food, housing, or unforeseen financial crises that impacts student success. Using a holistic approach to well-being, ECRT supports students through crisis by leveraging a campus-wide collaboration that utilizes on and off-campus partnerships and provides direct referrals based on each student’s unique circumstances. ECRT empowers students to identify and access long term, sustainable solutions during/throughout their academic career at SDSU.   

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity 

The Division works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures, while facilitating an integrated vision and shared responsibility for prioritizing and advancing institutional goals. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through:

• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;
• Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff and alumni of all backgrounds;
• Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty and staff, including enhancing the learning environment and expanding learning opportunities for all students inside and outside the classroom, and expanding and connecting opportunities for students to participate in transformational experiences;
• Developing leaders who believe in and lead others toward supporting civility, mutual respect and diversity in our society and workplaces; and
• Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position upholds the Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, specifically:

“The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by creating and nurturing a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence designed to facilitate the personal and professional success, growth, development, and well-being of all members of our community. We manifest this commitment through our innovative, strategic and collaborative efforts to develop leaders who believe in and lead others toward practicing civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.”

For more information regarding the Economic Crisis Response Team click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate coursework 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

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Experience working with clients facing basic needs, insecurities and/or crisis intervention.
• Experience working with local community resources.
• Experience in data collection, reporting, and grant writing.
• Experience with legislation compliance and implementation of local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Experience working in a university setting and a knowledge of public institution function and reporting requirements.
• Experience navigating complex budget processes and fund management.
• Experience navigating and maintaining critical partnerships within and outside an organization.
• Experience working with development and fundraising teams and efforts.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $6,019 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. 

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,019 - $8,585 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.  For more information, click here.

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. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on November 12, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by November 11, 2024. 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.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.