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Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Educational Programs and Academic Support, the Director of the Guardian Scholars Program is responsible for the overall planning and coordination of the Guardian Scholars Program which serves former foster youth, wards of the court, unaccompanied homeless youth and youth under legal guardianship attending SJSU. This role requires significant collaboration with and support from a number of university departments and outside entities to ensure a successful program. Responsibilities include targeted outreach to foster youth/former foster youth and oversight of the program’s application process; assessing the needs of students through an intake process; providing intricate student support services to former foster and homeless youth; and tracking student progress through intensive coaching/counseling and referrals to external and campus support services as needed. The position will oversee the development, implementation and assessment of programming to assist former foster youth and homeless students in their transition from high school and community college to San Jose State University and focus on student retention and persistence to graduation including sense of belonging. The incumbent represents the Guardian Scholars Program at appropriate meetings and relevant committees on campus as well as serves as a liaison with other CSU and community organizations serving former foster youth and homeless students and writes reports regarding effectiveness of the program. The Director of the Guardian Scholars Program will work closely with community college foster youth programs, foster youth consortiums, the Chancellor's Office, local school districts and community agencies. The incumbent promotes and represents the Guardian Scholars Program within the SJSU community and beyond by advocating for former foster youth, wards of the court, unaccompanied homeless youth, and youth under legal guardianship. This position supervises a team of professional and student staff employees as well as manages a budget from multiple funding sources.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing a comprehensive student support program for former and current foster youth populations, which include foster youth, wards of the court, youth under legal guardianship, and unaccompanied homeless youth.
• Administers the application and verification process for students accepted into Guardian Scholars.
• Assesses student needs and develop/implement program support services to ensure retention, persistence, and graduation of Guardian Scholars as well as students who are identified as part of foster youth populations.
• Develops and organizes student support services and resources for the larger pool of students in the foster youth population that are not participants of the Guardian Scholars Program, as well as campus staff/faculty.
• Designs, maintains and enhances educational services to middle school students, parents, school personnel (including principals, teachers, counselors, etc.), school boards, and community organizations in the SJSU service area, including information about admissions requirements, financial aid resources, reports on student performance, development and dissemination of informational materials, scheduling of counselor conferences, community meetings, etc.
• Develops strong networks and partnerships with local, regional, and state social service agencies to ensure county and state support for students in the Guardian Scholars Program.
• Recruits, trains, manages and evaluates full-time professional staff who will support the areas of program and resource coordination, assessment, and student support, retention, and graduation. 
• Directs the use of staff expertise and program resources towards the development, supervision, and administration of learning programs, procedures, and policies to facilitate the student learning process and student utilization of campus wide support services.
• Provides fiscal management for GSP budget in both State and Tower Foundation accounts including grant funds, book vouchers, supplies, mentoring, engagement, media, housing, and emergency funds.
• Provides sound fiscal management by monitoring accounts, scholarship endowments, emergency and discretionary accounts, also identifies short and long-term budgetary needs and prepares regular budgetary projections and reports.
• Supports current and prospective Guardian Scholars Program students and their families on general CSU and SJSU specific admissions and retention requirements.
• Directs monthly group meetings and one on one individual student meetings. Assists with personal Guardian Scholars student needs and address a multitude of student issues that are highly sensitive and complex in nature.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.
• Strong understanding of the foster care system and of services available through county and state agencies for emancipated foster and homeless youth.
• Working knowledge of non-resident tuition policies including AB 540; experience with or ability to acquire and apply knowledge of disability resources and admissions requirements
• Ability to use a broad range of computer skills and software.
• Ability to prepare various documents including operations manuals and procedures, program and activity schedules, requisitions, proposals and monitor budgets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, must possess excellent customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to apply high level analytical skills to take effective action while independently carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Display the ability to promote, organize and facilitate group meetings.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple work priorities and organize various projects and to follow safety and confidentiality protocols.
• Recommends initiatives and changes to improve quality of services/programs.
• General knowledge of counseling techniques and a basic understanding of trauma informed care for working with foster youth.
• Ability to design and conduct workshops/presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with potential students, families, middle/high school and community college staff.
• Ability to provide work, lead direction and train others.
• May be required to travel to other geographic locations, work evenings and some weekend hours.
• Ability to manage a program budget.
• Ability to develop strong partnerships with stakeholders.
• Ability to participate in meeting and professional development activities.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Educational Counseling, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including at least one year of supervisory experience.
• 4-6 years of related experience working with students who have experienced foster care, out of home placement, and/or homelessness, and are first-generation.
• Knowledge of national and local policies affecting foster youth, homeless youth, and court dependents.
• Experience working with higher educational policies & procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing a sense of belonging amongst students and connecting students with relevant resources.
• Experience working with agencies/organizations that provide services to students who have experienced foster care, out of home placement, and/or homelessness, and are first-generation.
• Working knowledge of the Maxient database system, Canvas, Oracle/PeopleSoft, EAB, or equivalent student information system; and Google Workspace and calendaring programs.
• Experience working with financial aid and third party sources to distribute scholarships and other resources to students who meet eligible criteria.
• Experience developing, administering, and analyzing a budget
• Experience with assessing a program and sharing the narrative.

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $8,895/month - $9,212/month
CSU Salary Range: $4,812/month - $15,449/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: April 19, 2024 through May 5, 2024. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, 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 CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

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.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).