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.
• General knowledge of methods and problems of organizational and program management, research and interview techniques, and the principles of individual and group behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through on actions having implications with regard to other departments, colleges, and the university.
• Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• 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: $60,996 - $66,612 Per Year

Classification Range: $60,996- $86,736 Per Year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly 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. Cal Poly 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.

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

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly 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. 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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 or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.