Position Summary

San Diego State University seeks a compassionate and proactive professional to serve as the CARES Coordinator within the Campus Assistance, Response, Engagement & Support (CARES) program in the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity. The Coordinator provides direct support to students experiencing academic, personal, or emotional challenges by coordinating individualized care plans, connecting students with campus and community resources, and promoting student well-being and success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide case management, outreach, and follow-up for students experiencing distress or crises.
• Develop individualized support plans and facilitate referrals to academic, health, and community resources.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case documentation using Maxient and EAB Navigate.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, parents, and campus partners to coordinate student support efforts.
• Deliver presentations and outreach to promote awareness of CARES services and student well-being.
• Participate in assessment, reporting, and initiatives that enhance student retention and success.

Apply now to join a dedicated team committed to supporting the success, resilience, and well-being of all San Diego State University students.

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. (Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, with advance notice)
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 2 days per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

Department Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Life, the Campus Assistance, Response, Engagement & Support (CARES) Program serves as an early support initiative that serves as a safety “net” to assist students who may be experiencing challenges inside or outside of the classroom. The program will provide comprehensive outreach services to identify and support students in managing all aspects of their wellbeing. The program will provide support including coordination, advocacy (when appropriate), referrals, and follow-up services for students experiencing significant difficulties. Examples include academics (i.e., attendance, poor  test scores, tutoring needs, at risk of failing course), behavioral (i.e., anxiety, loneliness, disruptive behavior, conduct), or personal challenges (i.e., family crisis, death in the family, death of a fellow student, significant life changes, financial concerns).

The CARES Program provides advocacy and support services that will increase student engagement, success, retention/persistence, and graduation. The CARES team will meet with students who experience challenges that may interfere with their academic pursuits.

Vision: To serve the San Diego State University community by coordinating support efforts both on and off campus in order to assist students facing challenges, stressors, and barriers that impede academic and personal success.

Mission: To provide high quality, systems-based outreach and support services that assist and empower students in identifying and managing interpersonal, academic, and healthcare concerns. We do this by:

• Responding to concerns from the SDSU community about students in distress;  communicating with students to address their needs;
• Connecting students to appropriate resources and services;
• Providing a central point of contact for students facing a crisis or trauma;
• Fostering resilience and self-advocacy in students to manage their responsibilities and work toward their goals;
• Communicating across systems to keep the campus community and individuals safe and healthy; and
• Advocating for students individually and systemically 

For more information regarding the Campus Assistance, Response, Evaluation, and Support Team, click here.

Education and Experience

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. 

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.

Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three 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.

Key Qualifications

• Experience using Microsoft Office applications and Google applications. 
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, higher education, student affairs or job-related field is preferred.
• Experience advising and/or counseling underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students and working effectively with students from diverse  backgrounds.
• Experience working with college students, parents, and families.
• Experience conducting presentations in small and large group settings: facilitating  workshops using effective public speaking techniques.
• Experience advising and/or counseling students in academic and/or co-curricular settings.

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: $5,540 - $7,893/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $5,540/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 4, 2025 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.