Position Summary

Are you passionate about supporting military and veteran students? We are looking for a dedicated individual to join our team! In this role, you will play a crucial part in the daily operations of our center, ensuring that our military-affiliated students receive the education benefits they deserve.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer Education Benefits: Manage all aspects of federal and state VA education benefits for our students.
• Student Advising: Provide guidance and support to military and veteran students, helping them navigate their educational journey.
• Compliance: Ensure accuracy and attention to detail to keep the university and students in compliance with VA regulations.
• Liaison: Act as the primary contact for VA-related questions, assisting students, the public, and the campus community through various communication channels.
• Issue Resolution: Work with the VA Regional Processing Office to resolve payment and overpayment issues.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Make a difference in the lives of military and veteran students.
• Collaborative Environment: Work independently with support from the Military and Veterans Program (MVP) Director and the Primary School Certifying Official.
• Dynamic Role: Engage with a diverse group of people and handle a variety of tasks daily.

If you are detail-oriented, passionate about helping others, and ready to contribute to a supportive team, we encourage you to apply!

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 hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

SDSU Military and Veterans Program is the California State University (CSU) system’s flagship veteran’s resource center and the first veteran’s center in the system. The Military and Veterans Program (MVP) is a component within Student Affairs and Campus Diversity which directs, manages and provides services for all aspects of the veteran, active duty, reserve and dependent programs for San Diego State University undergraduate and graduate students. The MVP manages all veteran and military-connected support services and events for the campus and serves as the primary source for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), and other agencies.

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity 

The Division facilitates the academic and career success, personal growth and well-being of all students, and works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through:

• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;
• Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff and alumni of all backgrounds;
• Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty and staff, including enhancing the learning environment and expanding learning opportunities for all students inside and outside the classroom, and expanding and connecting opportunities for students to participate in transformational experiences;
• Developing leaders who believe in and lead others toward supporting civility, mutual respect and diversity in our society and workplaces;  and
• Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position upholds the Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, specifically:

“The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by creating and nurturing a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence designed to facilitate the personal and professional success, growth, development, and well-being of all members of our community. We manifest this commitment through our innovative, strategic and collaborative efforts to develop leaders who believe in and lead others toward practicing civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.”

For more information regarding the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, 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. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth.  A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Key Qualifications

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail to ensure compliance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations.
• Strong ability to liaise with the general public, students, and campus community through various channels (walk-ins, email, phone).
• Proficiency in handling daily operations and tasks independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience in advising military-affiliated students on education benefits is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities related to state / federal VA education benefit programs is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $4,841 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,841 - $6,884 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here.

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. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on October 21, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by October 20, 2024. 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.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Eurick Hilario at echilario@sdsu.edu.