School Certifying Official & Advisor Trainee (Student Services Professional IA)

Job No: 554618
Work Type: Staff
Locations: Southern California: San Diego
Categories: Bargaining Unit: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Appointment Type: Temporary, Time Basis: Full Time, Job Search Category/Discipline: Student Services, Workplace Type (Exclude Inst Fac): On-site (work in-person at business location)



Position Summary
The School Certifying Official & Advisor Trainee supports military-affiliated students by assisting with the administration of federal and state veterans' education benefits and providing student advising within a structured, team-based environment. Reporting to the MVP Director and working closely with the Primary School Certifying Official, this position supports the daily operations of the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center while developing proficiency in veterans' benefits certification, compliance, and student support practices.

This role serves as an entry point into veterans' education benefits administration and student services. The incumbent assists with certification processes, responds to VA-related inquiries, and supports the resolution of benefit and payment issues while gaining working knowledge of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations. Responsibilities are performed with guidance and oversight, with opportunities for increased responsibility as experience and competency grow. This position is well-suited for a detail-oriented, student-centered professional early in their career who is motivated to learn, develop technical expertise, and contribute meaningfully to the success of military-connected students.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the certification and administration of federal and state veterans' education benefits using established procedures and systems, under staff supervision.
• Provide customer service support to students and the campus community by responding to routine inquiries in person, by phone, and electronically, and referring complex questions to appropriate staff.
• Help maintain accurate student records and documentation in campus and VA-related systems.
• Support veteran and military-connected students by providing general information and connecting them to campus resources and services.
• Assist with the planning and execution of programs, orientations, workshops, and events serving military-connected students. 
• Provide logistical and administrative support for events, communications, and outreach activities. 
• Support daily operations of the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, including front desk coverage and office coordination. 
• Participate in training and professional development related to veterans' education benefits, student services practices, and university systems. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Military and Veterans Program.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact supporting the academic success, well-being, and persistence of veteran and military-connected students.
• Apply your professional experience in higher education student services and veterans' education benefits administration within a complex, compliance-driven environment.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource within a mission-driven team committed to accuracy, collaboration, and student advocacy.
• Strengthen and expand your skills in advising, program coordination, regulatory compliance, and cross-campus collaboration.
• Join a diverse and inclusive campus community at San Diego State University that is committed to equity, belonging, and student success.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits-eligible, temporary position anticipated to end 12 months from date of hire with the possibility of appointment to a Student Services Professional IB at the end of the training period. 
• 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.
• 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 resource center and the first veteran 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.

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.  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

• Interest in student services, higher education, or working with veteran or military-connected populations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow established procedures and work effectively with guidance and supervision.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Customer service mindset with a respectful, inclusive approach.
• Ability to learn new systems, policies, and processes.
• Experience using common office software (email, word processing, spreadsheets).
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

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 February 12, 2026 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 Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu


Advertised:
Applications Close:

To apply, visit https://careers.sdsu.edu/en-us/job/554618







Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-4e81f298cbb36742b0d3f399152bfde9

Return to Search Results