First Year Area Coordinator

Location: California State University San Marcos Corporation (CSUSM Corporation)

Appointment: Full-time, Regular with Benefits, Non-Exempt

*Based on health insurance coverage for employee + family

Competitive salary with outstanding benefits package to include a full health insurance program offering 100% paid premium options for employees and their dependents (there is a benefits for cash option if you opt out), 403(b) Retirement Plan with an 8% Employer Contribution - 100% immediate vesting - with a 3% Employee Contribution, great time off benefits and so much more! Full benefits and other information can be found on the CSUSM Corporation website, https://www.csusm.edu/corp/hr/benefits/summary.html.

Posted: May 7, 2026

Application Deadline: First review May 26, 2026 (Open Until Filled)

Summary

The First Year Area Coordinator position is a professional, full-time, on-campus live-in position reporting to the Assistant Director of Residential Education. Area Coordinators work towards creating a safe, team-orientated, academically centered, socially just, and environmentally responsible environment for students to live, learn, and thrive. They are responsible for the comprehensive management and supervision of assigned student staff and student housing communities. The First Year Area Coordinator will serve as the lead in developing and overseeing the expansion of the first-year residential experience and programming initiatives.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education, college student affairs, counseling, or a job-related field is required
• 2-4 years’ experience in residential education in a university or college setting is required
• Experience supporting first-year residential communities and living-learning initiatives is strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• General knowledge of the personal, social, and academic challenges encountered by first year college students
• Working knowledge of current issues and trends in higher education
• Insights into student development, cultural identity development models, leadership development theories, and equity minded practices
• Understanding of co-curricular programming and impacts of vibrant living learning communities
• Familiarity with the principles of first year community development
• Working knowledge of management techniques and personnel practices
• Solid administrative and organizational skills
• Effective interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
• Ability to set goals and priorities, make reasoned and balanced decisions in moderately complex situations and meet deadlines
• Computer proficient
• Ability to foster and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse student, staff, faculty, and community members

Other Employment Requirements

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 Revised July 21,
2017 as a condition of employment.

Limited Reporter

This position is subject to a background check including, but not limited to, employment verification, education
verification, reference checks, and criminal record checks. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may
affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSUSM Corporation employees who apply
for the position.

Must participate in CSUSM Corporation, CSU, and university-wide training as required.

Required to drive, and therefore, must have a valid California Driver's License and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicle Employer Pull Notice Program.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

General Duties

20% Supervision of Student Staff

• Hire and train Community Advisors (CAs), Residential Academic Mentors (RAMs) and Student Assistants
• Lead and facilitate on-going staff training and development sessions for first-year community leaders
• Implement training and practices to provide a safe and clean working environment, free from workplace discrimination, harassment or violence
• Oversee CA and RAM programming to meet the mission and goals of CSUSM Housing
• Create a culture of positive and cooperative teamwork among staff
• Assure that a climate of dignity, respect, and inclusion is established and supported among all staff
• Ensure staff compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as well as CSUSM Corporation and CSU policies and procedures
• Monitor job performance and provide ongoing feedback and guidance through weekly meetings
• Conduct annual student staff evaluations
• Create and oversee on-call duty schedules

20% Programming, Leadership, and Education

• Lead efforts to develop a dynamic first year residential experience
• Manage the continued growth and sustainability of residential learning communities and other specialized housing for first year students
• Coordinate large-scale programs to promote residential involvement
• Assess student learning and development, including campus collaboration
• Collaborate with campus partners to provide educational and community development programming in the first-year communities
• Advise Residence Hall Council and National Residence Hall Honorary (if assigned)

15% Student Conduct and Concerns

• Review incident reports
• Engage students in appropriate conversations to facilitate learning and student development
• Hold meetings to determine responsibility in an incident and issue sanctions
• Complete documentation regarding conduct findings (letters, database, etc.)
• Administer student concern meetings
• Refer cases to the Director of Residential Education and/or the Dean of Students Office
• Facilitate roommate mediations

15% Duty Rotation and Crisis Response

• Respond to emergencies
• Serve on duty rotation (the main contact person during non-office hours including holidays)
• Communicate with supervisor for after hour emergency incidents

10% Community Director Team Member

• Provide leadership and program guidance for first-year Community Directors
• Attend weekly Residential Education meetings and other department and campus meetings as needed
• Develop, present, and participate in professional development training
• Represent the department by serving on university-wide committees
• Interface with students, parents, families and other stakeholders to represent the department, explain policies and procedures, and assist with problem solving and information sharing
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor for new members of the team
• Participate and present housing information during orientation, open house, or other special events

10% Resident Advocate

• Facilitate problem solving meetings among residents
• Act as a referral agent for student mental health, academic and career advising, and student leadership and involvement opportunities
• Implement community programs and initiatives to meet the needs of residents

5% Oversee Facilities

• Work with maintenance staff to ensure a safe and clean living area
• Meet with maintenance staff as needed
• Follow-up on building damage issues as appropriate

5% Administrative and Other Duties

• Complete necessary programming and conduct reports, as assigned by supervisor
• Assist with the professional staff hiring process
• Enforce and abide by all Housing and University policies and procedures and State and Federal laws, including Cleary, Title IX, and FERPA
• Supports department-wide initiatives such as, but not limited to, move-in and move-out, summer inspections, new student orientation, and admissions recruiting days such as Discover CSUSM and Cougar Blue Day

Supervision

Supervises anywhere from 12-20 Community Advisors, Residential Academic Mentors, and Student Assistants. Working with the Director and Assistant Director of Residential Education and the CSUSM Corporation HR Director, each CD will have the authority to hire, train, review, and discipline student staff hired to work with them.

Latitude and Judgment

The First-Year Area Coordinator works with a team of professional Residential Education staff members, each live-on staff member is responsible for the supervision and management of living areas, implementation of programming consistent with the Residential Curriculum, and corollary programmatic responsibilities. The First-Year Area Coordinator will receive direction and guidance from the Director of Residential Education. Oversight will consist of regular meetings with the Director of Residential Education, weekly meetings with the professional team, annual evaluations, and professional development opportunities.

Work Environment

Moderate physical effort is required to respond to day-to-day activities (moving furniture, carry boxes, putting up posters) and during emergencies in the Residence Halls. The latter includes quickly responding to the scene of fire alarms, walking up hills and stairs, and carrying duty supplies. These tasks may need to be done during power outages and/or elevator malfunctions.

"JEANNE CLERY ACT AND CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW" NOTIFICATION - See website located at http://www.csusm.edu/clery/.

Application Procedure:

Please apply by clicking "Apply" and be sure to submit a cover letter and resume. CSUSM Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, ancestry, and veteran or military status or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

For questions or if you experience any difficulties with the online application process, please contact CSUSM Corporation Human Resources at (760) 750-4700 or hrcorp@csusm.edu.