Position Summary

Join San Diego State University as a Biology Assistant Advisor within the College of Sciences and play a pivotal role in supporting student success, particularly for those pursuing biology majors. In this essential position, you will provide personalized academic advising, develop programs to enhance student progress, and offer guidance to help students achieve their academic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive academic advising to undergraduate students, particularly biology majors, offering guidance on course selection, degree evaluation, and academic planning.
• Develop and implement communication initiatives to engage students through both in-person presentations and web-based platforms.
• Create and facilitate programs and workshops designed to enhance student progress, academic achievement, and overall success.
• Offer personal counseling to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and strategies for overcoming academic challenges, such as academic probation.
• Work closely with students pursuing various paths within the biological sciences, advising on coursework, research opportunities, and preparation for graduate or professional programs.
• Supervise and support undergraduate peer mentors within the College of Sciences Student Success Center, ensuring biology students receive accurate and timely advising.
• Collaborate with faculty advisers and department chairs, particularly within the Department of Biology, to ensure consistency in advising practices and alignment with departmental curricula and expectations.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in guiding students toward success in their academic journey within the biological sciences, helping them stay on track for graduation.
• Work within a supportive, collaborative environment that values student success and fosters personal and professional growth.
• Gain experience in academic advising, program development, and student mentorship while making a lasting impact on students' futures.
• Access resources, training, and opportunities to advance your career in higher education and academic advising.

Take the next step in your career—apply today to join the SDSU community as a Biology Assistant Advisor in the College of Sciences!

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026, with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is 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.
• This position is approved for partial telecommuting with onsite work in San Diego.

Department Summary

The College of Sciences comprises eight academic departments, eight additional degree-granting programs, eight joint doctoral programs, 17 research centers and institutes, and 15 student support programs. It also includes various research groups, clinics, labs, and off-campus facilities such as the Mount Laguna Observatory, Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, Sky Oaks Field Stations, Fortuna Mountain Research Reserve, Tijuana River NERR, and the Coastal & Marine Institute. The college employs over 700 faculty and 50 staff, supporting diverse teaching and research activities. 

The College of Sciences Student Success Center supports student success and graduation through advising, access to resources, and coordination with department advisers. It serves as a hub for study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, and other student programs. The center provides lower-division and exploratory major advising, science career and graduate school resources, and oversees graduation, retention, and student success initiatives. It identifies and supports students facing academic challenges and refers them to appropriate resources as needed. This position independently advises students on College of Sciences and SDSU resources, collaborates with faculty and staff, and shares essential information to support academic success.

For more information regarding the College of Sciences, click here.

Education and Experience

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.  Specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven ability to work with diverse student populations
• Skilled in delivering presentations to audiences of varying sizes and backgrounds
• Experience in preparing and writing reports
• Familiarity with maintaining and updating website content
• Experience in student services roles such as admissions, advising, evaluations, or registrar offices within a college or university preferred 
• Background or experience in the sciences preferred

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: $4,150 - $5,076/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $4,150/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 August 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 Sophia Faulk at srfaulk@sdsu.edu.