Associate Program Director for Student Organizations, Center for Student Organizations & Activities (Student Services Professional IV)

Job Description:

Associate Program Director for Student Organizations, Center for Student Organizations & Activities (Student Services Professional IV)

Description

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director for the Center for Student Organizations & Activities, the Associate Program Director for Student Organizations provides leadership for student organization compliance, support, and harm reduction efforts across campus. This position oversees key processes related to recognized student organizations, event permitting, and alternative programming, while providing work directions to staff and advising student leaders and organizations. The incumbent collaborates extensively with campus partners, Associated Students, and departments within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity to support a vibrant, compliant, and inclusive student organization environment. The role also supports university-wide compliance with statutory, CSU, and SDSU policies and reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead compliance, training, and harm reduction initiatives for student organizations through advising, programming, and education.
• Oversee recognized student organization processes, including registration, recognition, and event permitting.
• Provide work direction and support to staff, and serve as a mentor and advisor to students, organization leaders, and advisors.
• Collaborate with campus partners and Division departments to coordinate programming and support student engagement initiatives.
• Provide project-based support and back-up generalist assistance to programs within the Office of the Dean of Students, as assigned.

Why Join Us?

• Shape a safe, inclusive, and engaging campus experience for student organizations and student leaders.
• Collaborate with a wide range of campus partners across Student Affairs, Associated Students, and academic units.
• Exercise leadership and creativity in developing compliance, harm reduction, and engagement strategies.
• Support student development, leadership, and persistence to graduation in a mission-driven university environment.
• Be part of a dynamic role that values innovation, collaboration, and meaningful student impact.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (Evening and weekend work are routinely part of this position)
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Center for Student Organizations and Activities (CSOA) at San Diego State University is the primary campus office supporting student involvement through Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) and co-curricular engagement. CSOA provides student leaders, advisors, and members of existing and new organizations with essential resources and guidance on events, policies, procedures, services, and organizational development.

Through collaborations with students, faculty, staff, advisors, and Associated Students, CSOA assists with event planning, fundraising, leadership development, and operational support for student groups. The Center also helps organizations navigate recognition, access campus tools and forms, and connect with broader university resources and partners.

CSOA’s mission is to empower student leaders, foster a vibrant student organization community, and promote meaningful involvement experiences that enhance leadership growth and student success.

For more information regarding the Center for Student Organizations and Activities, click here .

Education and Experience

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.

Possession of the below required 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, 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.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of FERPA, Title IX, and the Jeanne Clery Act, including Responsible Employee and Campus Security Authority reporting responsibilities.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply Title V, CSU policies, and university regulations related to student organizations, student activities, governance, and policy enforcement.
• Strong understanding of student development theory and Student Affairs best practices, including advising students individually and in groups and supporting student learning outcomes.
• Experience developing, implementing, assessing, and managing student programs and events, including leadership, cultural, and co-curricular initiatives, with effective use of technology.
• Ability to collaborate across campus and with external partners, including student government, fraternity and sorority life, academic and student affairs departments, and community agencies.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, including public speaking, training/workshop facilitation, conflict mediation, and consensus-building.
• Demonstrated initiative, judgment, and organizational skills, with the ability to provide work direction to staff, manage multiple responsibilities, make informed decisions, and carry actions through to completion.

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: $6,320 - $9,014/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $6,320/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 February 15, 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 Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu .

Advertised: Jan 30 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: