Working Title: Director of Academic Transitions
Classification Title: Student Services Professional IV
Posting Details
Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): March 26, 2023 @ 11:55 pm
Position Summary
Under the general supervision of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the Director of Academic Transitions will provide leadership and direction to programs in Undergraduate Studies that facilitate the academic success of incoming students as they transition to university. These include the Center for College and Career Readiness, the Early Start Program, the First Year Experience and similar programs that may be developed. The Director also coordinates and oversees the structured academic FYE space that offers dedicated academic support and guided lessons to FYE students, assists students in making the transition to university study in academic degree programs, and assess FYE Space programs and services. The Director collaborates with related programs across campus, including Academic Advising, Hornet Launch, Orientation, the Civitas Student Planner project, the Peer and Academic Resources Center and others as appropriate.
FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime compensation)
Recruitment Type: Regular (probationary)
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Knowledge and Abilities:
The following knowledge and abilities as well as those listed at lower levels in the Student Services Professional series are required for appointment to this classification.
Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the program area to which assigned or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge. General knowledge of the policies, practices and activities of Student Services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned; general knowledge of the principles, problems and methods of public administration, including organizational, personnel and fiscal management; general knowledge of advanced statistical and research methods.
Ability to carry out very complex assignments without detailed instructions; advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters; determine the appropriate course of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals and groups in personal interactions of a sensitive nature; reason logically and analyze and solve organizational and operating problems of one or several program areas; plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement administrative or group decisions or recommendations; analyze and define complex organizational, policy or procedural problems, collect and evaluate data, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; understand the roles and responsibilities of others and to gauge relationships accordingly by taking into account the variety of the interrelationships, motivations and goals of the members of the organization served; and establish and maintain effective, cooperative and harmonious working relationships in circumstances which involve the denial of requests or the necessity to persuade others to accept a different point of view.
Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the Experience requirements below.
Experience:
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.
Education:
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
Experience
- Demonstrated success working in an advisory capacity with undergraduate students in post-secondary institutions.
- Demonstrated success working with diverse populations
- Equivalent to three years of experience in professional student services with progressive responsibility
- Success in academic advising demonstrated by academic degree completion
- Demonstrated success providing lead work direction, including student workers
- Demonstrated success managing complex budget with multiple funding sources
- Demonstrated success in grant writing
- Demonstrated success in collaborating with faculty and faculty directors
- Demonstrated success in cross- divisional collaboration
- Demonstrated success working in programs that facilitate transition from HS to college
- Demonstrated success in collaborating with HS counsellors
General Knowledge /Skills/Abilities:
- Working knowledge of the academic practices, procedures, and activities of undergraduate programs, including knowledge of organizing students' programs and events
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with faculty, students, and staff from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds
- Demonstrated ability to effectively organize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced team-oriented environment
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU Administrators and staff, students, private and public agencies and others in committee and student advising and community contacts.
- Demonstrated ability to make decisions independently using sound judgment and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program and service areas
- Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and interpret varied information and data, statistical or narrative form
- Demonstrated ability to develop and apply flexibility, resourcefulness, and creative approaches to unique problems with an understanding of the full academic and university-wide contexts
- Proven supervisory and leadership skills
- Demonstrated history of regular attendance and positive performance evaluations
- Demonstrated ability to assess, both qualitatively and quantitatively, student success programs
- Thorough knowledge of correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation with excellent written and oral communication skills.
Conditions of Employment
Ability to successfully pass a background check
- Experience working with Qualtrics, Canvas, PeopleSoft student budget personnel or other project management and student contact software
- Expertise in MS Office suite
- Experience managing social media channels
- Fluency in a language other than English
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume, cover letter, and diversity statement.
Instructions for diversity statement: Sac State holds diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in its core values. Please include a statement up to 500 words describing your commitment to and experience in building student success in a diverse University setting.
Failure to upload required documentation may lead to disqualification.
About Sac State
Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State’s 31,000 students come not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission: “As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students for leadership, service, and success. Sacramento State will be a recognized leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sac State is dedicated to student success, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, philanthropy, and campus safety.
As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.
To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.
Background Check Disclaimer
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position. One variation of background check required could be a LiveScan screening, which involves submitting fingerprints at a certified LiveScan Service Center.
COVID-19 Vaccine Certification Information:
CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to
hr-empservices@csus.edu
Out of State Employment Policy
Sacramento State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees (up)on date of hire to reside in the State of California.
As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Fire Safety Right-To-know Act Notification:
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery .
The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request at the Police Service Center located in the University Union.
Eligibility Verification
Selected candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.. California State University, Sacramento is a sponsoring agency (i.e. H-1-B Visa).
Note to Applicants:
Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview unless required by collective bargaining agreement.