"EOP Advisor & Work Lead"

About the Position

Please Note: Review of applications will begin on March 3, 2026.

The EOP Advisor and Work Lead, under the general supervision of the Director of EOP, EXCEL, RSP, and Affinity Programs, provides leadership, coordination, and direct service delivery for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) advising services. The position ensures the consistent, high-quality implementation of student-centered counseling practices that promote retention, academic achievement, and timely degree completion for low-income, first-generation, and historically underrepresented students.

The EOP Advisor and Work Lead oversees and guides the work of EOP advisors by establishing advising standards, facilitating regular team meetings, coordinating case management, and providing ongoing professional guidance and support. The role serves as a primary point of contact for complex and high-impact student cases, assisting counselors in addressing academic, personal, and systemic barriers that affect student success.

In addition to lead responsibilities, the EOP Advisor and Work Lead maintains an assigned advising caseload and implements targeted retention and intervention strategies for students, particularly those identified as academically at risk. The position monitors student progress and engagement, analyzes retention and persistence trends, and collaborates with campus partners to strengthen coordinated support systems. The EOP Advisor and Work Lead represents EOP within the Student Equity and Success (SEAS) unit and at campus-wide meetings, contributing to strategic planning, cross-program collaboration, and institutional equity initiatives. Through leadership, oversight, and direct student engagement, this role advances equitable outcomes and strengthens the overall effectiveness of EOP services.

Responsibilities

Student Developmental Counseling/ Advising

• Provide advisement, individually and in groups, which include academic, personal, financial, or career-related counseling to a caseload of current EOP students.
• Perform analysis of student skills, abilities, previous academic performance and factors contributing to the student’s academic progress to assist students in program planning, course advising, major and career exploration. Students may have problems choosing, pursuing and adjusting themselves to suitable educational and vocational goals.
• Complete GE evaluation and advising worksheets and maintain detailed and current records on each assigned student, including program of study outline, quarterly academic progress, counseling/advising contacts, referrals, and test scores.
• Assist students to identify their problems, think them through, evaluate them realistically, deal with their aptitudes and abilities as related to their particular needs and circumstances, select suitable educational or vocational goals, and implement corrective measures to alleviate skill deficiencies.
• Use judgment to address individual student problems, which represent integrative approaches comprising appropriate referrals to campus services and other resources.
• Implement established techniques of encouraging and supporting the personal developmental needs of a diverse student population.
• Utilize proper and established techniques to interact with persons with hostile reactions and bring such situations under control.
• Plan and conduct retention-related workshops, sessions, and/or courses, as required.
• Maintain regular contact with students on caseload and monitor each student’s academic progress.

Lead

• Monitor and provide ongoing lead-level performance feedback to the appropriate administrator regarding the work quality, effectiveness, and professional development of EOP Counselors (e.g. SSP I, II and III as applicable), contributing substantive input to their formal performance evaluations.
• The coordinator provides lead work direction to EOP Peer Mentors (primarily graduate interns/assistants, peer mentors, student employees, and volunteers) working with students, programs, and special events.
• Assign tasks and ensure high-quality work is produced.
• Address conflicts within the team and escalate to the appropriate administrator when needed.
• Complete monthly reports regarding engagement activities.
• Develop an onboarding process for all new counselors.
• Promote collaboration and teamwork to achieve program goals.

Retention Initiatives

• Design, implement, and assess comprehensive retention strategies that support the academic persistence, engagement, and timely progress toward degree completion of EOP students, with particular attention to students facing academic, financial, or personal barriers.
• Develop and coordinate targeted retention programs and interventions, including academic recovery plans, probation support, success workshops, and ongoing check-ins that promote sustained enrollment and academic standing.
• Monitor student academic progress, enrollment status, and engagement using institutional data systems, early alert tools, and advising reports to identify students at risk of attrition.
• Conduct proactive outreach and provide timely, individualized interventions-such as academic planning, resource referrals, and goal-setting-to support students experiencing challenges that may impact retention.
• Collaborate with campus partners, including academic departments, financial aid, counseling services, and basic needs programs, to ensure coordinated support and reduce barriers to student persistence.
• Analyze retention data and student outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, inform continuous improvement, and contribute to program planning, reporting, and institutional.

Student Engagement and Involvement Tracking

• Ensure consistent tracking, documentation, and assessment of EOP student engagement in counseling, mentoring, and programmatic activities to support holistic student development, accountability, and retention outcomes.
• Monitor and document student involvement in EOP-required and recommended activities, including advising appointments, mentor meetings, workshops, orientations, and community-building events.
• Track student engagement and participation using institutional systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Bay Advisor/EAB Navigate, CRM or case-management tools) to ensure accurate records and compliance with EOP program expectations.
• Coordinate with EOP counselors, peer mentors, and program staff to verify student attendance, follow up on missed engagements, and identify patterns of disengagement or risk.
• Facilitate regular communication with counselors and mentors regarding student progress, engagement levels, and emerging concerns that may impact academic success or retention.
• Support the development and implementation of intervention strategies for students with low participation or inconsistent engagement, including proactive outreach and referrals to campus resources.
• Analyze engagement data to inform advising strategies, retention initiatives, reporting requirements, and continuous program improvement.
• Contribute engagement and participation data to internal reports, grant-related documentation, and SEAS leadership updates as required.

Liaison and Campus Involvement Responsibilities

• Represent the department in appropriate committees.
• Initiate and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including faculty, staff, student organizations and off-campus community groups.
• Partake in appropriate professional development activities to remain current on relevant issues pertaining to higher education and the recruitment and retention of low-income and high risk students.
• Participate in campus wide events and programs.
• Participate in SEAS Leadership meetings.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $6,320.00 per month to $9,014.00 per month. PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $6,320.00 per month to $7,667.00 per month.

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver.

For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

Classification

Student Services Professional IV

Minimum Qualifications

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, Education 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.

Required Qualifications

• Experience providing lead work direction to student staff (e.g., graduate interns/assistants, peer mentors, student employees) and collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Knowledge of general education, major, and graduation requirements.
• Knowledge of university academic policies and procedures, including probation, disqualification, academic renewal, and reinstatement.
• Ability to assess students’ academic skill levels and needs using qualitative and quantitative information.
• Knowledge of grade point average (GPA), grade point deficiencies (GPD), and their application to academic standing.
• Knowledge of interviewing, advising, and counseling techniques and the ability to apply them effectively in individual and group settings.
• Knowledge of group facilitation practices and advanced interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
• Knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior as applied to student development and counseling.
• Working knowledge of student services programs and resources beyond the immediate unit.
• Ability to analyze complex situations, exercise sound professional judgment, and implement effective courses of action.
• Ability to independently manage multiple complex assignments without detailed instruction.
• Proficiency with office productivity tools and student success platforms (e.g., PeopleSoft, advising and case-management systems, spreadsheets, and shared drives).
• General knowledge of financial aid processes and policies as they relate to student advising and referrals.
• Knowledge of departmental, divisional, and university protocols.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

Education

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in student services.
• Experience providing lead work direction to professional-level staff in a student services setting.
• Working knowledge of program planning, coordination, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• General knowledge of personnel management practices, including performance feedback, coaching, and staff development.
• Knowledge of current issues, trends, and best practices affecting higher education, student services, and underrepresented student populations.
• Knowledge of complex and evolving university policies and procedures related to admissions, financial aid, and student academic standing.
• Demonstrated experience serving diverse student populations with sensitivity to cultural values and lived experiences.
• Advanced organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills in a student-centered environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with campus and community stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while exercising sound professional judgment and maintaining confidentiality.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds related to programmatic activities and events.