Job Summary

Under direct supervision of the Liberal Studies Department Chair, this position is responsible for providing the full range of administrative and clerical support for department operations, including, but not limited to: day-to-day operations, general program administration, faculty and student matters, personnel and budget matters, class scheduling, curriculum and events. This position requires a high level of proficiency utilizing university software systems as well as applying and adhering to all relevant university and college policies and procedures. The incumbent operates independently within general guidelines established by the department and has significant autonomy and decision-making responsibility. The LS department coordinator provides a first point of contact for anyone calling or visiting the Liberal Studies office and thus serves as an information source for the college, students, parents, faculty, staff, and the public.

The LS department coordinator will facilitate communication and coordination with the Center for Engineering, Science and Mathematics Education (CESAME) and the center’s affiliated programs (MSTI, LBDL, LSAMP and STAR), which share common spaces and equipment.

Department Summary

The Liberal Studies (LS) Department is Cal Poly’s pre-credential elementary teacher preparation program, which offers a Bachelors of Science degree. The major prepares future teachers for inspired service, advocacy, and leadership. Faculty, staff, and students work closely with other programs in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics, including the School of Education, science and mathematics departments, and with several programs in the College of Liberal Arts. The LS Department is one of seven academic departments within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics (BCSM). The program currently serves approximately 400 majors. The Liberal Studies Department is comprised of a department chair, tenure track faculty, joint and adjunct faculty members from other departments, full time lecturers, part-time lecturers, and this administrative support position. More information about the Liberal Studies Department can be found at https://liberalstudies.calpoly.edu/.

Key Qualifications

• Excellent ability to provide administrative coordination in a wide variety of department matters including budget, class scheduling, personnel, facilities, and overall department operations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to independently handle multiple tasks and priorities and successfully meet deadlines for day-to-day and long-term activities in a busy environment with constant interruptions. Initiative to request projects during slower work-periods. Ability to establish multiple priorities and manage own projects.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, ability to draft and compose correspondence and standard reports, utilizing a thorough mastery of English grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in the department, college and across the university to accomplish common objectives, to cultivate a positive and productive working atmosphere, provide excellent customer service to students, faculty, staff and the public, employ a high level of diplomacy, tact and professionalism to provide a welcoming and helpful environment for everyone visiting the office, and to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with a diverse population and various personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and facilitate resolutions.
• Ability identify complex problems and produce creative and workable solutions, working collaboratively with staff campus-wide.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or its equivalent. Type 45 wpm. Five 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 on the basis of one year of college education for 6 months of experience).

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $48,535 - $63,365 annually

Classification Range: $46,380 - $76,032 annually

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 than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.
Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer.

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.