Materials Engineering Department Coordinator

Job Summary

This position supports the Materials Engineering Department within the College of Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Offering a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering the Materials Engineering Department is student-centered following a Learn-by-Doing approach to instruction. Faculty and staff provide a positive learning environment where students learn engineering fundamentals, gain experience with materials characterization, and develop teamwork and professional skills. The department is comprised of six tenure line faculty, including the department chair, approximately four to five full to part-time temporary faculty, a 75% Instructional Support Technician, and this position, the Materials Engineering Department Coordinator. Together they support approximately 212 Materials Engineering majors.

Under general supervision from the Department Chair, this 75%-time position is responsible for the administrative support functions of the department. The Materials Engineering Department Coordinator acts as the first point of contact for department visitors, faculty, and students, providing a welcoming and friendly environment. The incumbent is responsible for faculty personnel actions, budget, procurement, travel, department events, class scheduling support, reception, student timekeeping, faculty recruitment support, and assisting the department chair and faculty with a range of administrative functions.

Administrative support staff within the College of Engineering primarily support their individual home department, while working as part of a broader team of administrative staff and in collaboration with their peers in other departments and the dean’s office. The administrative team shares ideas and innovations regarding administrative functions, coordinates and implements uniform processes and procedures, and supports each other to ensure the college's success. The Department Chair holds a full-time 12-month position and serves a three-year renewable term. The individual filling this position provides continuity of administrative operations with respect to department, college, and university policies during the chair transition.

Department Summary

Ranked as one of the best in the nation, the College of Engineering (CENG) prepares California's next generation of leaders in engineering and technology. From the first day on campus, students are immersed in a project- and design-centered curriculum that stresses teamwork and collaboration across disciplines. The college serves more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Working knowledge of budget policies and procedures.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Type 45 wpm. Four years of general office support or technical experience. Training at a vocational school or full-time college education may be substituted for two years of the required experience based on one year of college education for 6 months of experience.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $34,782 - $42,468 annually (based on 30 hours a week)

Classification Range: $46,368 - $56,624 annually (based on 40 hours a week)

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more th