Student Support Specialist (TEMP)

About the role

This is a temporary, benefited, 3 year appointment with the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of CSU ASAP grant initiatives focused on AANHPI and other disproportionately impacted student populations.
• Conduct proactive outreach to first-year and transfer students (with an emphasis on AANHPI, low-income, and first-generation populations) to support successful transition to SJSU.
• Design and implement engagement strategies that increase students’ sense of belonging, connection, and awareness of campus resources.
• Provide students guidance on navigating university systems, policies, and processes (e.g., enrollment, registration, use of campus platforms).
• Maintain accurate records of student participation and engagement for reporting purposes.
• Identify and track students who stop out or do not enroll from term to term using institutional data systems.
• Conduct outreach (including phone banking campaigns, email, and text) to assess barriers to persistence and re-enrollment.
• Serve as a liaison between students and campus partners, including the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE), academic advising units across colleges, financial aid, housing, and basic needs services.
• Ensure timely referrals and warm handoffs to appropriate offices to address student barriers.
• Maintain detailed records of student contacts, outreach efforts, and outcomes using designated systems.
• Analyze trends in student engagement, retention, and stop-out patterns to inform program adjustments.
• Prepare reports and summaries to support grant compliance and institutional decision-making.

Requirements

• 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.
• Two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field.
• A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, or a related field.
• Experience: 1-2 years of experience supporting student retention, persistence, or student success initiatives in a college or university setting.
• Experience working with Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students and/or implementing culturally responsive programming.
• Experience conducting proactive outreach and engagement (e.g., phone banking, case management, CRM systems, or student success platforms).
• Experience collaborating with multiple campus partners (e.g., academic advising, financial aid, housing, basic needs programs).
• Experience developing or facilitating workshops, programs, or student engagement initiatives.
• Experience using data to inform outreach, programming, or retention strategies.

Skills

• Effective communication with diverse student populations, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Knowledge of experiences, challenges, and strengths of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI), first-generation, low-income, and other historically underserved college students.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive, asset-based, and equity-minded practices that support student retention, persistence, and sense of belonging.
• Working knowledge of student success, retention, and persistence strategies in higher education, particularly for first-year, transfer, and continuing students.
• Ability to assess student needs and barriers (academic, financial, housing, basic needs) and make appropriate referrals to campus resources.
• Knowledge of campus resources and ability to navigate and explain university systems, policies, and procedures to students.
• Working knowledge of data collection, tracking, and analysis, and preparation of clear, concise reports for program assessment and grant requirements.
• Ability to use a broad range of computer applications and systems (e.g., CRM tools, student databases, Google Suite).
• Ability to take initiative, collaborate, and complete projects independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and projects, effectively organize work, and meet deadlines while following safety and confidentiality protocols.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive student information and performing complex tasks.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to plan outreach efforts, events, and follow-up activities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate group workshops, presentations, and student engagement activities.
• Ability to recommend improvements to programs and services using student feedback and data-informed practices.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Benefits

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

Pay

$5,083/month

Schedule

N/A