Job Summary

Under direction of the Director for Engineering Student Services and with a dotted line report to the Assistant Vice Provost for University Advising, the Retention Advisor performs a variety of complex assignments which require coordination and planning with other areas of the University (e.g., Residential Life, Student Life and Leadership, Career Services, Student Academic Services, College Advising Centers, etc.). The incumbent must maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of students, faculty, staff and the public (e.g. parents) by employing various interviewing and counseling techniques.

The Retention Advisor must make decisions and collect data, within established parameters, that impact student groups (e.g., students in academic difficulty, students off track to graduate, etc.) as well as individual students and recommend changes to existing policies/practices as appropriate.

Department Summary

University Advising, a division of Academic Affairs, is responsible for the integration, facilitation, coordination, synthesizing, enabling, and fostering of outcome driven efforts that support student success (e.g., retention, persistence, and graduation). The Assistant Vice Provost develops the vision and provides the leadership to ensure consultation and successful collaboration between administrators, faculty, staff, and students both within the division and externally. University Advising is committed to supporting a campus-wide student-centered approach and providing consistent communication related to advising. Working collaboratively with the Director for Engineering Student Services as well as the advising staff, together the units develop and implement programs to support the academic success of Cal Poly students.

Engineering Student Services, a division of the College of Engineering, seeks to enhance academic success by providing student support services, by working in partnership with departments, industry, and students. Our programs include the Engineering Advising Center, Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP), Engineering Tutoring Lab, and the International Exchange Program (IEP).

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field.
• Ability to accurately assess the current and future academic needs of students in the areas of academic support, leadership, career development, service, interpersonal skills and diversity awareness.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine student related matters; ability to be sensitive to individuals and groups; keen insight and understanding of cause and effect relationships that exist on campus.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds

Education and Experience

• 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. 
• Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the required knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education on a on a year‑for‑year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $58,092 - $63,444 annually

Classification Range: $58,092 - $82,444 annually

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.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. 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.

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 positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.