Position Summary

Join San Diego State University as an Assistant Coordinator supporting both the Center for Commuter Life and Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement (OTFE). This shared role helps students and families feel welcomed, connected, and supported as they transition to SDSU and continue their academic journey. The position is divided evenly between both departments and offers hands-on experience supporting students, mentors, campus partners, and university programs.

This opportunity is well suited for someone interested in student affairs, higher education, or continued professional development. Under the guidance of professional staff, the Assistant Coordinator will support daily office operations, student engagement, mentoring initiatives, orientation programs, and campus events. Evening and weekend work may be required during peak program periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Support commuter student mentors and student assistants through check-ins, training, meetings, program coordination, and resource referrals.
• Assist students with general questions, campus resources, academic support, and connections to appropriate professional staff.
• Provide front-desk and office support for OTFE, including welcoming visitors, responding to phone calls and inquiries, and completing assigned projects.
• Help plan and coordinate student programs and events such as New Student Orientation, Weeks of Welcome, Family Weekend, workshops, and commuter student initiatives.
• Organize program information, track participation and student engagement, collect feedback, and assist with reports and basic assessment efforts.
• Collaborate with students, families, campus partners, mentors, and staff while adapting to changing priorities across two departments.

Why Join Us?

• Gain practical experience working across two student affairs departments at SDSU.
• Build skills in student support, mentoring, orientation, event coordination, communication, and program operations.
• Work closely with students and professional staff in a collaborative and learning-focused environment.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date one year from the date of hire with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Center for Commuter Life is a home base for students who live off campus and utilize various modes of transportation to travel to and from SDSU. It can be very easy to fall into a routine of traveling to campus for class then leaving. Finding your place, making friends and connecting academically and socially to campus are keys to your success at SDSU. The Center for Commuter Life aims to support and engage students commuting to campus through workshops, coordinated care and general advising, peer mentoring programs and other support services to foster student success and a positive connection to the San Diego State University community.

For more information regarding the Center for Commuter Life, click here.

The Center for Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement helps new students and their families begin their SDSU experience with confidence and connection. The department coordinates orientation programs for first-year, transfer, and graduate students, along with sessions for parents and family supporters focused on student success resources, academic requirements, university policies, financial aid, and the transition to college. Through orientation and related welcome programs, the department builds community, connects students and families with campus resources, and supports a successful start to the SDSU experience.

For more information regarding the Center for Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement, click here.

Education and Experience

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.  Specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with students, families, mentors, staff, and campus partners in person, by phone, and in writing.
• Manage multiple responsibilities and shifting priorities while supporting two departments with different needs and deadlines.
• Provide welcoming, student-centered service through front-desk coverage, phone calls, walk-ins, and day-to-day questions.
• Build positive working relationships with students and mentors from varied backgrounds and connect them with appropriate resources or professional support.
• Organize information, maintain accurate records, and use common computer applications to track program details and student-related data.
• Follow direction, ask questions when needed, and apply feedback while learning new processes and responsibilities.
• Support student programs, mentoring activities, and large-scale events through thoughtful preparation, coordination, and follow-through.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative team and demonstrate interest in supporting student transition, engagement, and success.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background working with or supporting college students through mentoring, tutoring, orientation, student organizations, advising, peer leadership, or related programs.
• Familiarity with commuter, transfer, orientation, transition, retention, or student engagement initiatives.
• Enrollment in SDSU’s Postsecondary Educational Leadership master’s program with a Student Affairs specialization while serving in the role.
• Experience coordinating events, organizing program information, working with spreadsheets or databases, or supporting multiple supervisors or teams.

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: $4,150 - $5,076/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $4,150.00/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 9, 2026 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.