Basic Needs Coordinator (SSP III)

CSU Careers•Turlock, CA

About The Position

Classified as: Student Services Professional III Full-time temporary position available on or after June 8, 2026 through June 8, 2027 for Basic Needs. Appointment will be made for one year from date of hire with the possibility of reappointment and/or becoming permanent based on budget, department needs, and job performance. Under general supervision from the Basic Needs Director, the Basic Needs Coordinator, classified under the Student Services Professional III classification, performs complex Student Services professional work characterized by independent student advisement and guidance in individual and group settings. The Basic Needs Coordinator leads the development and implementation of food security initiatives and referral programs, as well as outreach and education activities to support students' holistic well-being. This position collaborates extensively with the Student Health Center to develop and implement outreach and referral strategies. As part of the Basic Needs program, this position provides support to the development and implementation of Basic Needs-related programs and services, including: CalFresh, Campus Cares, Warrior Food Pantry, Food Distribution, Pregnant and Parenting Student Initiatives, and Emergency Housing. Advisement at this level involves the application of foundational counseling techniques to support students with academic, career, and basic needs-related concerns. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound judgment and independence in assessing student needs, addressing complex and sensitive situations, and ensuring access to appropriate resources and services. This role contributes to the identification of service gaps and the development of responsive programs and initiatives that advance student success and wellbeing. It may also include providing lead coordination for program areas, supporting outreach and engagement efforts, and collaborating across campus to enhance service delivery.

Requirements

Education: 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.
Experience: Three (3) 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.
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.
General knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management.
General knowledge of research and interview techniques
Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews.
Ability to reason logically; ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentation based on these data.
Ability to recognize multicultural, multi-sexed and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas.
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, activities 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 overall operation, functions, programs, organizational procedures, and activities of the campus.
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.
Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters.
Ability to determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature.
Ability to 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.
Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals to include faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, and other private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts.
Valid California Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

2-year experience with basic needs programs, food and/or housing insecurity programs, or CalFresh.
Prior experience in a CSU or higher education setting.
Experience conducting workshops and facilitating events.
Experience working with students from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, including underserved students.
Master's degree in social work, Counseling, Public Health, Student Affairs, or related field.
Experience working with or awareness of college students who have experienced financial difficulties/hardships and/or emergency situations.
Experience with local, state, or federal grants.
Experience in marketing programs (web, social media, flyers, and e-mail campaigns).

Responsibilities

Coordinate and administer programs, services, and initiatives that support student success, engagement, and basic needs security.
Plan, develop, and deliver workshops, outreach activities, and educational programming related to student success and resource navigation.
Develop and implement program approaches in areas where limited precedent exists, adapting to evolving student and institutional needs.
Provide lead direction to student assistants or program staff, including training, guidance, and oversight of daily operations.
Collaborate with campus departments and community partners to enhance service delivery and expand student access to resources.
Contribute to administrative planning and recommend improvements to programs, services, policies, and practices.
Support outreach and engagement efforts, including campus events, orientations, and communication strategies.
Provide comprehensive advisement and non-clinical case management to students, addressing academic, personal, and basic needs-related challenges through coordinated support and referrals.
Assist students in complex problem-solving and decision-making by assessing needs, identifying barriers, and developing appropriate courses of action.
Analyze individual and group concerns of considerable complexity and implement integrative solutions that may span multiple student services and campus resources.
Utilize advanced interpersonal, de-escalation, and trauma-informed approaches to effectively engage students, including those experiencing crisis, distress, or challenging behaviors.
Interpret and apply university policies and procedures, exercising sound professional judgment within delegated authority.
Advocate for the needs of individual students and student populations, elevating systemic concerns to campus partners and leadership.
Monitor student engagement and progress, using data to inform timely interventions that support persistence and success.
Participate in case consultation, review of complex situations, and development of effective support strategies.
Develop and implement methods to assess the effectiveness of programs, services, and student support efforts.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends, service gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Maintain accurate documentation, records, and reporting in compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.
Prepare reports and summaries to support program evaluation, planning, and institutional reporting.
Collaborate on departmental assessment activities and continuous improvement efforts.
May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
Other duties as assigned.