Position Summary

The Assistant Program Director leads the day-to-day student support operations for Project Rebound, helping justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated students persist, thrive, and successfully reenter the university community. This role oversees a coordinated, tiered support model involving Student Success Mentors, Graduate Assistants, and MSW/MFT interns while managing case support, staff development, student advising, and program improvement.

Working closely with the Program Director and campus partners, the Assistant Program Director ensures students receive timely, appropriate, and connected support. The role is ideal for a collaborative and adaptable student affairs professional who can balance compassion with clear boundaries, guide complex student situations, and help strengthen systems that promote retention, belonging, and degree completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Project Rebound’s tiered student support model, coordinating the work of Student Success Mentors, Graduate Assistants, interns, and professional staff.
• Oversee student intake, assessments, case management, documentation, progress monitoring, risk identification, referrals, and escalation for complex student needs.
• Supervise, train, coach, and support student staff and interns through onboarding, case reviews, regular check-ins, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Build collaborative support systems with campus partners such as Academic Advising, Counseling and Psychological Services, Financial Aid, Career Services, and Basic Needs.
• Develop and coordinate retention-focused programs, workshops, mentoring initiatives, University Seminar activities, and other efforts that support student engagement, persistence, leadership, and graduation.
• Use case management information, student feedback, engagement trends, academic progress, retention data, and key performance indicators to assess program effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Support justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated students as they pursue their educational goals.
• Help strengthen a growing program focused on student success, belonging, and degree completion.
• Work with campus partners who are committed to equity, access, and inclusive student support.
• Bring your ideas and experience to a role with opportunities to support staff, improve programs, and make a meaningful impact.

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.  
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego

Department Summary

Project Rebound at San Diego State University supports prospective and enrolled students who have been formerly incarcerated, involved with the criminal justice system, or otherwise impacted by it as they pursue higher education. Through partnerships with community colleges, correctional and reentry facilities, transitional housing centers, and community organizations, Project Rebound helps students navigate enrollment, registration, academic planning, and financial aid. The program also provides ongoing coaching, professional development, leadership opportunities, and community engagement to promote student success and build connections between higher education, justice transformation, and the broader community.

For more information regarding Project Rebound, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field; including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related. Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required.

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

Key Qualifications

• Bring progressively responsible experience in student services, case management, advising, counseling, or a related support area.
• Apply strong knowledge of student development, individual and group behavior, and student success practices.
• Provide thoughtful case management, including student intake, assessments, documentation, referrals, and follow-up.
• Build supportive relationships with students from diverse backgrounds, including those impacted by incarceration and reentry.
• Supervise, coach, and support student staff, interns, and graduate assistants while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Develop and coordinate programs, workshops, events, and services that respond to student needs.
• Analyze information and student data to identify needs, track progress, and recommend meaningful improvements.
• Communicate clearly and collaborate effectively with campus partners, faculty, administrators, and community organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting formerly incarcerated students or working in reentry, restorative justice, advocacy, or educational access programs.
• Experience with student advising, case management, program management, or staff supervision in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of policies and regulations affecting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
• A master’s degree in counseling, social work, higher education, student affairs, leadership, or a related field; cross-cultural communication skills and relevant lived experience are also valued.

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: $5,540 - $7,893/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $5,540.00/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 November 30th 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 Tyler Emery, temery@sdsu.edu.