Housing and Financial Security Navigator (SSP IV)

Full-time temporary position available on or after April 7, 2025 and ending on or before April 6, 2026 in Basic Needs. Appointment will be made for one year from date of hire with the possibility of reappointment and/or becoming permanent based on budget, department needs, and job performance.

Under the general supervision of the Director for Basic Needs, the Housing and Financial Security Navigator leads initiatives to support student housing and financial security as part of a broader effort to address basic needs. This role involves addressing complex challenges at individual, group, and organizational levels by implementing solutions, facilitating non-clinical case management support, and fostering partnerships on campus and in the community. The Navigator provides guidance to students accessing housing and financial security resources, using basic counseling techniques to promote well-being and academic success. Additionally, the position supports program development, implementation, evaluation, and budget planning while mentoring members of the Basic Needs team, including graduate-level staff. Key responsibilities include coordinating collaborative efforts with campus departments, community-based organizations, and agencies. The Navigator also contributes to programs such as CalFresh, food security initiatives, and Basic Needs education and outreach, ensuring holistic support for student success.

Incumbents in this classification typically utilize a combination of high-level analytical skills and high-level interpersonal skills in working on complex problems from the investigation and analysis stage through the solution and implementation stage. This is the first level where assignments regularly impact other Student Services areas and where the scope of assignments is program-wide. May serve as “working supervisors” or lead persons.

Student Services Professionals provide a broad range of services and activities designed to support students from preadmission through post-graduation. These services aim to help students progress toward their degree objectives, enhance their learning experiences beyond the classroom, and effectively apply the knowledge and skills gained during their university journey. Responsibilities include offering information and guidance, helping students evaluate problems and determine solutions, assessing needs and authorizing services, and coordinating programs, events, and projects. Additionally, they facilitate student engagement in campus life, advocate for student needs with university stakeholders, and provide support to students navigating personal and institutional challenges.

• Provide advisement, information and guidance to students.
• Assist students in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Advocate for the needs of individual students and groups of students to university administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Provide support and assistance to students facing a variety of personal as well as institutional problems, questions, and challenges.
• Interact with students in the most sensitive and complex group problem situations.
• Coordinate and administer programs, events, and projects.
• Facilitate student involvement in campus life.
• Plan and organize work requirements and tasks within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Determine work priorities and selecting desired methodology from alternative approaches.
• Handle unusual situations without advice or instruction, solving problems, and making decisions which have impact on the work of others and the department to which assigned.
• Perform major program analysis responsibilities for an entire division.
• Assist with budget tracking and planning.
• Provide work lead direction as “working supervisor” or lead person.
• Support ongoing training and development of student positions.
• Collaborate with community organizations, government agencies, campus partners, CSU campuses, the Chancellor’s Office, and faculty supporting program needs and initiatives.
• Coordinate and participate in departmental outreach efforts including but not limited to social media, campus events, orientation etc.
• Review existing and proposed policies, practices, and organizational structure and propose changes or develop full revisions as appropriate.
• Conduct studies and surveys and preparing reports with recommendations based on results.
• Provide analysis and guidance in major installations (office-wide) of new procedures and systems.
• Develop thorough and extensive written materials for the purpose of developing knowledge and skills of students.