Early Support Specialist

Researches best practices and trends on the national and local levels as they relate to early alerts interventions.

Implements program enhancements to improve student outcomes and progress to degree.

Partner closely with college advising staff (retention and graduation specialists, coordinators, and advisors), academic departments, primary and supplemental advisors, Enrollment Services, and Health and Wellbeing staff to develop alerts, case management workflows and business processes.

Manages and maintains the tracking of student persistence and monitoring progress to degree.

Reports on strategies utilizing assessment data, program information, student persistence numbers, graduation rates, and other student success markers. Trains professional staff, and student staff on advising models developed.

Serves as a resource and referral for professional staff, faculty, and student advisors regarding program implementation and logistics.

Early Support Specialist (ESS) will be responsible for ensuring that faculty receive the appropriate training to effectively complete the progress reports and issue early alerts.

Leverage the work that CPP has been doing to identify "success markers" or courses that have historically had an adverse impact on persistence from the first to second year.

The success markers will be programmed into CPP Connect, which will help the ESS to identify students who have completed, are enrolled in, have an upcoming, or have missed a success marker course.

Coordinate with the course faculty, advisors, and the Learning Resource Center to ensure that students who are currently enrolled in success marker courses are actively engaged in tutoring and supplemental instruction to increase the students' likelihood of completing the course successfully.

For those students who have upcoming or missed success markers, the ESS can partner with the appropriate college advisor to ensure that these students are enrolled in the correct course.

Support the assessment/analysis of intervention effectiveness data and report findings to different audiences (i.e., advisors, retention and graduation specialists, associate deans, deans, student affairs leadership, etc.) Special Projects: Summer Completion Grant, Centralized Campaigns. Support the Senior Coordinator of University Advising with students in unique situations - reentry, inactive, etc.

Student Staff and Intern Supervision and Training

• Works with the Executive Director of University Advising, Associate Director of Student Success Advising, and the Senior Coordinator of University Advising to: Recruit, hire, train and supervise graduate student staff interns on receiving, triaging, and disseminating alerts and cases.
• Provide training on interpreting University policies, advising and administrative procedures, student development theory, transition issues, advising skills and techniques, and workshop presentations.
• Coordinate office staffing and scheduling of student staff. Intervene with any complex student issues that require professional attention.

General Advising

• As needed, provide timely, focused advising to all students to ensure they stay on track to graduation and are able to successfully navigate university policies and procedures to meet their academic and career goals.
• In advising, utilize a combination of high-level analytical and interpersonal skills as well as independent judgement when developing effective and creative solutions to student problems.
• Assists with the Bronco Advising Center's drop-in general advising, available to all undergraduate students.
• Use E-advising tools including CPP Connect/EAB, Degree Progress Report and semester conversion tools to advise students and educate them on academic planning.

Miscellaneous

• Serve as an active member of the College and University Advising community.
• Regularly participate in Academic Advisor Council and attend its meetings, as well as advisor trainings, webinars, and workshops.
• Participate in supplemental advising committees and working groups, as appropriate.
• Provide robust documentation of advising interactions, interventions, and programming via CPP Connect and other available tools.
• Summarize all information in annual reports and provide data-informed recommendations for improvements.
• Utilize reporting tools such as CPP Connect, CSU Dashboards, and Tableau to identify students in need of support and track progress toward improving their academic outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree - 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.
• Combination - 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.
• Possession of these 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.
• The following knowledge and abilities, as well as those listed at the lower levels in the Student Services Professional series, are required for appointment into this classification. Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior. General knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends of the Student Services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the program area to which assigned; general knowledge of individual counseling techniques; general knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned. Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned. Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student‑related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature; interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership, College Student Personnel, Educational Counseling, or a related field.
• Knowledge of General Education in the California State University system.
• Experience working with students in academic distress, dealing with highly sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with experienced staff and unite them around common goals; personal qualities of integrity, flexibility, compassion, and an enduring sense of humor.
• Experience in at least two of the following areas: academic advising, teaching, assessment, counseling, and co-curricular activities. Ability to juggle multiple tasks at once while remaining composed.
• Ability to retain and utilize large amounts of detailed information and quickly access and utilize additional information in the moment.
• Strong verbal & written communication skills including phone and in-person, emails, texts, etc.
• Technology savvy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, handle and prioritize simultaneous requests.
• Self-starter who advocates for themselves.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to cultivate strong interpersonal customer and co-worker relationships and work effectively cross-functionally.
• Ability to read and interpret complex information, talk with customers, and listen attentively. Must protect the confidentiality of student personal information and comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Must comply with all university procedures and policies.
• Experience with and/or a general understanding of program coordination.
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and possess self-direction skills to be able to initiate plans, organize, prioritize, multi-task, and coordinate work in a fast-paced organization.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively, and to adapt to change in a dynamic work environment.
• Effective advising and interpersonal skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse student population and diverse work environment.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. Knowledge of critical issues impacting higher education, deep commitment to educational equity and student success, and skill in working with multiple and diverse constituencies to create and sustain positive learning experiences for students.
• Effective program assessment and data management/interpretive skills.
  
  

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU's mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California's schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU's business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to the California State University Out-of-State Employment Policy.

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate's conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. For more information, go to the California State University Background Check Policy.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

CSU Classification Salary Range

This position is part of the APC bargaining unit 4. The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the CSU Classification Standards website.The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the CSU Salary Schedule website. The classification salary range for this position according to the respective skill level is: minimum $5,540 and maximum $7,893 per month. Please refer to the anticipated hiring range for the appropriate salary rate for this particular position.

Employment Eligibility Verification

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. For more information, go the I-9 Acceptable Documents website.

University Driving Requirement

Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy. Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department. The Risk Management Department evaluates a good driving report based on the following criteria. The driver must: 1. Have a valid California or other State Driver's license. 2. Have no more than 3 motor vehicle violations or been the cause of 3 accidents in a 12-month period (or any combination of 3 thereof) 3. Not have more than 3 DMV Points, if their license is Class C or, 4. Not have more than 5 DMV Points, if their license is Class A, B, or C with endorsements. For more information, go to the Authorized University Driver Policy.

Security & Fire Safety

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Fire Safety Report.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. For more information, see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision poster.

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu. For more information, go to Employment Notices.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in 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 employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Pomona 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.

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona complies with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and requests priority referral of protected veterans for our job openings.

Other Notices

For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona's Employment Notices web page.



Advertised: August 07, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: August 21, 2026 (11:55 PM)

To apply, visit https://careers.pageuppeople.com/873/po/en-us/job/560634/early-support-specialist





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