Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services (Student Services Professional IV)

Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services (Student Services Professional IV)

Job no: 562990
Work type: Staff
Location: Fullerton
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time

Job Title

Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services

Classification

Student Services Professional IV

Auto Req. ID

562990

Salary Range

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $6,320 - $6,994 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The Basic Needs department within the Division of the Student Affairs provides comprehensive programs and support to students who experienceunforeseen hardships that often result in food, housing, and financial insecurity. Forms of assistance include food support, temporary housing, grant funds, hygiene products, and access to gently worn professional attire. Students are also provided with guidance and referrals to on and off-campus resources. Such support alleviates the distress of meeting one’s basic needs while also managing academic, work, and other responsibilities, thus promoting well-being and retention. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services (Student Services Professional IV). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Basic Needs Services, the Assistant Director of Basic Needs Services independently provides professional case management and student support services to students experiencing basic needs insecurity. The Assistant Director manages a non-clinical caseload involving food, housing, and financial assistance; assesses student circumstances; determines appropriate resources and referrals; coordinates services with campus and community partners; and monitors student progress and outcomes. The position independently coordinates and implements Basic Needs Services programs, outreach, and educational initiatives designed to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to available resources, including training and presentations for faculty, staff, and students. The Assistant Director develops and maintains collaborative relationships with campus departments and community organizations and provides professional guidance regarding complex student cases and service delivery matters. The position participates in the development and improvement of Basic Needs Services practices and protocols, identifies service gaps, and recommends and implements strategies to improve student outcomes. The Assistant Director is responsible for completing compliance, assessment, evaluation, and reporting requirements associated with CSU Chancellor’s Office initiatives, grants, legislative funding, and represents Basic Needs Services at relevant systemwide meetings and initiatives. Other duties as assigned.

Inclusive Leadership Statement is required below, please be sure to address the following as a minimum. Please add additional information as you see necessary and applicable:

• What doesinclusive leadership mean to you.
• A description of your experiences working with individuals with a different perspective.
• A description of how issues of inclusivityhave impacted you personally or professionally.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution. Four years of professional student services work experience including experience advising students individually and in groups, as well as the analysis and resolution of complex student services problems. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university and the appropriate internship or clinical training in a relevant field may be substituted for two years of professional experience.

Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the program area to which assigned or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge. General knowledge of the policies, practices, and activities of Student Services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned; general knowledge of the principles, problems, and methods of public administration, including organizational, personnel and fiscal management; general knowledge of advanced statistical and research methods. Ability to carry out very complex assignments without detailed instructions; advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters; determine the appropriate course of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals and groups in personal interactions of a sensitive nature; reason logically and analyze and solve organizational and operating problems of one or several program areas; plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement administrative or group decisions or recommendations; analyze and define complex organizational, policy or procedural problems, collect and evaluate data, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; understand the roles and responsibilities of others and to gauge relationships accordingly by taking into account the variety of the interrelationships, motivations and goals of the members of the organization served; and establish and maintain effective, cooperative and harmonious working relationships in circumstances which involve the denial of requests or the necessity to persuade others to accept a different point of view.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU 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 complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education or a job-related field, Three years of full-time employment in Student Affairs or a related job-field. Working knowledge of the Maxient and Peoplesoft student information systems. Prior non-clinical case management experience and working with students who experience basic needs insecurity. Thorough knowledge of basic needs work within higher education settings including program development, coordination, and implementation. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with campus and community stakeholders through a student-centered lens. Demonstrated ability to identify problems, use sound judgment, and reasoning to make crucial decisions. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple interactions.

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration.

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring anynewH-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Advertised: Oct 15 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 29 2026 Pacific Daylight Time