Retention Advisor - College of Engineering

CSU Careers•San Luis, CA

About The Position

Under direction of the Director for Engineering Student Services and with a dotted line report to the Assistant Vice Provost for University Advising, the Retention Advisor performs a variety of complex assignments which require coordination and planning with other areas of the University (e.g., Residential Life, Student Life and Leadership, Career Services, Student Academic Services, College Advising Centers, etc.). The incumbent must maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of students, faculty, staff and the public (e.g. parents) by employing various interviewing and counseling techniques. The Retention Advisor must make decisions and collect data, within established parameters, that impact student groups (e.g., students in academic difficulty, students off track to graduate, etc.) as well as individual students and recommend changes to existing policies/practices as appropriate. University Advising, a division of Academic Affairs, is responsible for the integration, facilitation, coordination, synthesizing, enabling, and fostering of outcome driven efforts that support student success (e.g., retention, persistence, and graduation). The Assistant Vice Provost develops the vision and provides the leadership to ensure consultation and successful collaboration between administrators, faculty, staff, and students both within the division and externally. University Advising is committed to supporting a campus-wide student-centered approach and providing consistent communication related to advising. Working collaboratively with the Director for Engineering Student Services as well as the advising staff, together the units develop and implement programs to support the academic success of Cal Poly students. Engineering Student Services, a division of the College of Engineering, seeks to enhance academic success by providing student support services, by working in partnership with departments, industry, and students. Our programs include the Engineering Advising Center, Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP), Engineering Tutoring Lab, and the International Exchange Program (IEP).

Requirements

Working knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field.
Ability to accurately assess the current and future academic needs of students in the areas of academic support, leadership, career development, service, interpersonal skills and diversity awareness.
Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine student related matters; ability to be sensitive to individuals and groups; keen insight and understanding of cause and effect relationships that exist on campus.
General knowledge of methods and problems of organizational and program management, research and interview techniques, and the principles of individual and group behavior.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through on actions having implications with regard to other departments, colleges, and the university.
Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds
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.
Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the required knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education on a on a year‑for‑year basis.