Educational Opportunity Program Retention Advisor

Job Description

Educational Opportunity Program Retention Advisor

Classification: Student Services Professional II
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $5,083 - $5,500^* mo.
CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.

Priority Screening Date: May 14, 2026
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

Employment with the California State University System

ABOUT CSUMB

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California's Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation's largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students' lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB's sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university's Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 22 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

PURPOSE:

Under the general supervision of the Director Early Outreach Support Programs and daily work direction of the EOP Associate Director, the Retention Advisor provides counseling advising services to nontraditional students (low income, first generation, ethnic minority and other students with special needs) who are eligible for EOP. Responsibilities include assessing the need for academic support services, and monitoring the progress of an assigned caseload of students. The Retention Advisor also provides support services for new students, including orientation programs, academic prep programs, and assessment and referral for basic skills course work and learning assistance services. The Retention Advisor works closely with faculty and other university departments in order to accomplish program goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provides holistic personal, academic, and financial aid advising for new students, continuing, and returning EOP students, including academic skills assessment and assistance with: course selection, scheduling, educational planning, satisfactory academic progress requirements, financial aid eligibility and satisfactory progress requirements, and progress towards graduation. Utilizes effective advising and coaching techniques to assist students with sensitive issues pertaining to academic and non-academic needs
2. Uses an asset-based approach to develop and implement culturally-relevant educational programs and strategies for students who are first in their families to attend college, come from historically low-income backgrounds and under-resourced schools and communities. Collaborates with appropriate campus units to develop and implement study skills, career development, academic success and student leadership opportunities that build upon the strengths of EOP students to enhance academic and student success.
3. Maintains appropriate documentation of services provided and manages electronic student file documentation for assigned caseload of students. Assists in the development of program evaluation instruments, data collection, analyses and reporting of participant and program outcome.
4. Trains and supervises paraprofessional student staff. Maintains good communication with EOP peer mentors. Assists with professional development activities during peer mentor meetings.
5. Assists with developing and/or presenting workshops (academic & personal enhancement workshops) for continuing EOP students to support them through their academic transition towards upper division coursework including students transitioning from community college.
6. Assists in coordinating and participating in Summer Bridge/Transfer Bridge by supporting program/workshop development, onboarding EOP students, and coverage.

Other Functions:

1. Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Working knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior; procedures and activities of the program to which assigned; general knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management. General knowledge of research and interview techniques, and of the principles of individual and group behavior.

Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations; use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements; obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data; advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required; recognize multicultural, multi-sexed and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts; and, rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs of the campus to which assigned. Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master's degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Education: 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. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge of principles and practices of academic and financial aid advising. Prior academic advising or student services experience in a public four-year university. Familiarity with Title V and CSU General Education requirements. Experience hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating paraprofessional staff. Second language fluency. Experience working with low-income and first-generation college students. Working knowledge of FERPA and other federal regulations related to the release of educational records to third parties, general university policies and procedures, and academic program requirements. Technical fluency with Microsoft Office, Oracle-PeopleSoft/CMS baseline system; Hyperion, or similar report generation software; and Google mail and calendaring.

Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent <student/finance> information system; Microsoft Office Professional; Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Forms, etc.); 25Live; intranet drives; and internet browsers.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & POSITION DESIGNATIONS:

• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
• The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
• 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.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with access to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards.
• This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California's Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
• May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. For more information, visit the Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To receive full consideration, applicants must complete and submit the required online application by the priority screening date listed on the Careers at CSUMB website. Applications received after this date may be reviewed at the University's discretion. All submitted materials become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or emailing humanresources@csumb.edu

All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.