Program associate h1.location_city

Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking a collaborative and student-centered Associate Program Director to support the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities. In this role, you will help lead student conduct efforts, ensuring fair, educational, and consistent processes that uphold university policies while supporting student growth and accountability. Working closely with campus partners, you’ll play a key role in fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Student Conduct & Case Management Review, investigate, and resolve reports of academic and non-academic misconduct in alignment with CSU policies. Conduct student meetings, hearings, and adjudication processes, determining appropriate outcomes and sanctions. Design educational interventions that promote student learning and accountability. Serve as a key resource and liaison for faculty, particularly around academic integrity and emerging issues (e.g., AI use). Serve as a key resource for and liaison for incidents related to student organizations, including the Greek community.
• Program Leadership & Operations Support the day-to-day operations of the Center, including case management systems, reporting, and process oversight. Provide guidance and training to student conduct staff and graduate assistants. Help coordinate and conduct hearings and ensure timely, compliant processes.
• Campus Collaboration & Outreach Build strong partnerships across campus departments, faculty, and external stakeholders. Develop and deliver training, workshops, and outreach initiatives on student conduct policies and processes. Analyze trends and data to inform prevention strategies and continuous improvement efforts.
• Assessment & Strategic Support Track and evaluate student conduct data to identify trends and improve practices. Assist with reporting, compliance, and program assessment initiatives. Contribute to the development of resources, communications, and educational materials.

Why Join Us?

• Make an impact – Play a meaningful role in shaping student behavior, accountability, and success.
• Collaborative environment – Partner with dedicated professionals across campus committed to student development.
• Purpose-driven work – Contribute to a campus culture grounded in equity, inclusion, and student well-being.
• Professional growth – Gain leadership experience in student conduct, policy, and higher education administration.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

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.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 2 days per week with onsite work in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities is responsible for acting on behalf of the University President regarding all aspects of student discipline/conduct. The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities receives reports of alleged misconduct relative to Title 5, California Code of Regulations, investigates all complaints in order to determine whether University student conduct action is to be pursued, and determines appropriate University student conduct case dispositions and restorative sanctions under the guidelines of California State University Executive Orders (EO).

For more information regarding the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities, 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

• Strong conflict-mediation skills and ability to mediate disputes.
• An understanding of the rules and regulations related to student conduct and privacy.
• An understanding of investigative procedures and the ability to utilize investigative and interviewing techniques.
• Ability to produce and maintain accurate reports and present an effective case during student conduct hearings.
• Ability to work effectively with students, parents, employees, law enforcement, and other university constituents.
• Ability to act in an unbiased, unemotional, firm, persuasive, and/or comforting manner, as appropriate.
• Master’s Degree in counseling, higher education, student development, or a related field is preferred.
• Five years of administrative experience in a higher education setting, working directly with students, is preferred.
• Direct experience with student conduct and restorative sanctioning is preferred.
• Experience developing and maintaining positive relationships with individuals and groups representing many and varied interests and agendas is 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: $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.