What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Customer Service & Operations (Administrator I) position at California State University, Chico?
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 23-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 15,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.
Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, veterans, and those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.
Job/Department Summary:
Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director supports the administration of financial aid programs and services, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Assistant Director reviews and resolves complex student financial aid cases, facilitates student and parent inquiries, and oversees the customer service and production functions in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Also serves as a lead administrator for one or more functional areas, which may include but are not limited to: compliance and verification, conflicting information, and assists with oversight of daily operations within the Financial Aid Office. The incumbent works collaboratively and effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, and external partners to support student access and success.
Required Education and Experience:
Requires the equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in student services, with 5 years in financial aid may be substituted for the Bachelor's Degree requirement).
AND
Three years progressively responsible experience in student services, two years in financial aid. Three years progressively responsible supervisory and/or managerial experience in a higher education setting.
Preferences:
Preference may be given to applicants with the following as they may be considered specialized skills:
Time Base: Full-time
Pay Plan: 12/12
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm, Summer: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:30pm
Anticipated Hiring Range: Anticipated up to $86,000 per year. Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected.
Benefits: This position qualifies for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible).
CSU, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance). For more information please visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf
Additional Information:
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
California State University, Chico, in accordance with CSU policy, requires that the successful candidate complete a background check (including a criminal records check, sexual offender registry check, and/or fingerprinting) prior to assuming this position. Failure to satisfactorily complete or pass the background check may impact the job offer or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for posted positions identified as sensitive.
This position is considered a sensitive position based on CSU guidelines. Incumbent is responsible for the safety and security of Level 1 data, sometimes also referred to as Level 1 protected data. This is confidential information that is in most cases protected by statutes, regulations, or other legal mandates.
The person holding this position is considered a “Limited 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 (revised July 21, 2017) as a condition of employment.
This position is a Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) designated managerial position and comes under the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) of the California State University. Individuals appointed to management positions serve at the pleasure of the President or designee. They are excluded from the collective bargaining process, are not subject to probationary service, and do not receive tenure or permanent status. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The duties of this position will include participation in a decision that may have a material/financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, this is a “designated position” under the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code and the incumbent will be required to file a Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest and is subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission. (Designated Position Groups: Assistant/Associate Vice President or Director (All levels- Category 2).
About Chico State:
Graduate and undergraduate programs boast high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities. The campus motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” is brought to life by inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming. The Chico Experience prepares students to be critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources. Together, they will become leaders solving the challenges of the 21st century.
The campus is located in Northern California, 90 minutes from the state capital, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico offers year-round natural beauty, outdoor leisure activities, and a thriving arts, music, and events scene. We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons 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 veteran status, or any other protected status.
Chico State is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).
CSU, Chico's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at CSU, Chico Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555 . It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report .
Advertised: May 05 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: May 26 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 23-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 15,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.
Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, veterans, and those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.
Job/Department Summary:
Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director supports the administration of financial aid programs and services, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Assistant Director reviews and resolves complex student financial aid cases, facilitates student and parent inquiries, and oversees the customer service and production functions in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Also serves as a lead administrator for one or more functional areas, which may include but are not limited to: compliance and verification, conflicting information, and assists with oversight of daily operations within the Financial Aid Office. The incumbent works collaboratively and effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, and external partners to support student access and success.
Required Education and Experience:
Requires the equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in student services, with 5 years in financial aid may be substituted for the Bachelor's Degree requirement).
AND
Three years progressively responsible experience in student services, two years in financial aid. Three years progressively responsible supervisory and/or managerial experience in a higher education setting.
Preferences:
Preference may be given to applicants with the following as they may be considered specialized skills:
- Work experience in an academic setting, ideally public higher education.
- PeopleSoft Financial Aid experience.
- Knowledge of financial aid regulations, compliance, processes, and procedures.
- Bachelors or Master’s Degree.
- Experience strategically supporting organizational growth and/or change.
- Experience creating and implementing long- and short-term operational goals.
Time Base: Full-time
Pay Plan: 12/12
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm, Summer: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:30pm
Anticipated Hiring Range: Anticipated up to $86,000 per year. Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected.
Benefits: This position qualifies for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible).
CSU, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance). For more information please visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf
Additional Information:
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
California State University, Chico, in accordance with CSU policy, requires that the successful candidate complete a background check (including a criminal records check, sexual offender registry check, and/or fingerprinting) prior to assuming this position. Failure to satisfactorily complete or pass the background check may impact the job offer or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for posted positions identified as sensitive.
This position is considered a sensitive position based on CSU guidelines. Incumbent is responsible for the safety and security of Level 1 data, sometimes also referred to as Level 1 protected data. This is confidential information that is in most cases protected by statutes, regulations, or other legal mandates.
The person holding this position is considered a “Limited 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 (revised July 21, 2017) as a condition of employment.
This position is a Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) designated managerial position and comes under the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) of the California State University. Individuals appointed to management positions serve at the pleasure of the President or designee. They are excluded from the collective bargaining process, are not subject to probationary service, and do not receive tenure or permanent status. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The duties of this position will include participation in a decision that may have a material/financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, this is a “designated position” under the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code and the incumbent will be required to file a Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest and is subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission. (Designated Position Groups: Assistant/Associate Vice President or Director (All levels- Category 2).
About Chico State:
Graduate and undergraduate programs boast high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities. The campus motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” is brought to life by inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming. The Chico Experience prepares students to be critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources. Together, they will become leaders solving the challenges of the 21st century.
The campus is located in Northern California, 90 minutes from the state capital, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico offers year-round natural beauty, outdoor leisure activities, and a thriving arts, music, and events scene. We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons 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 veteran status, or any other protected status.
Chico State is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).
CSU, Chico's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at CSU, Chico Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555 . It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report .
Advertised: May 05 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: May 26 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Salary : $86,000