Program Specialist for the First Star Academy Native American Center for Academic Excellence/ITEPP
553289
Close Date: January 29 th 2026
Temporary
At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future. Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.
Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs - all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.
Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.
(Job #553289) SSP II, Student Services Professional, Salary Range: $5,083-$7,228 Hiring Salary: $5,083. This is a temporary, full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://www.humboldt.edu/hr/employee-benefits .
Position Summary: The Program Specialist for the First Star Academy, Cal Poly Humboldt, supports the planning and delivery of academic and enrichment programming for high school students who have experienced the foster care system, with a strong emphasis on serving Native American students in Tribal placements. This role helps coordinate logistics, student engagement, and communication with caregivers, schools, and community partners. Working closely with the Academy Director, the Program Specialist ensures students have access to educational resources and consistent support throughout the year. The position requires strong organizational skills, cultural awareness, and a commitment to equity in education.
Key Responsibilities:Program Implementation
- Assist in planning and facilitating the Summer and Saturday Academies in alignment with annual goals.
- Support delivery of academic, enrichment, and life skills activities, including scheduling, logistics, and materials preparation.
- Coordinate campus logistics (room reservations, transportation support, supplies, meals).
- Support student recruitment, onboarding, and retention activities, in collaboration with child welfare agencies and community partners.
- Serve as a point of contact for students during Academy sessions and help mediate peer concerns as needed.
- Support peer mentors by helping with scheduling, logistics, and check-ins.
- Create programming that aligns with cultural needs and supports of the program.
- Assist with organizing annual caregiver engagement events and student celebrations.
- Host annual training for caregivers to update them on the program, and provide information on resources for foster youth (i.e., coordinate workshops and presentations by community partners).
- Provide monthly updates to those involved with the students.
- Activities may require working evenings and weekends
Student Support and Case Management
- Support the collection and organization of students’ school records and program documentation.
- Track students’ educational progress and update records in coordination with the Academy Director.
- Maintain consistent communication with students and caregivers to ensure engagement and awareness of program events and student needs.
- Coordinate with schools and community partners to support student success and engagement.
- During the school year, track students’ educational progress to ensure they remain on track for high school graduation and work with social workers, schools, and community partners to provide any necessary education advocacy.
- Create materials and curriculum that meet the cultural needs of the student population.
- Coordinate with community organizations, local child welfare agencies, and school districts to understand and access the rights and resources available for foster youth in the county.
- Coordinate with caregivers to understand the needs of the students and to ensure they have access to necessary services.
Community and Campus Liaison
- Assist with communication between the Academy and child welfare agencies, Tribes, schools, and campus departments.
- Help maintain records of required permissions, documentation, and coordination needed for student participation.
- Support connections to university and community-based resources that benefit student participants.
- Presence in the schools to support students’ academic progress.
- Coordinate with community college and university officials to ensure students understand the requirements of admissions to higher education and financial aid applications.
- Coordinate with scholarship providers to ensure that students have access to scholarships.
- Conduct (with assistance from staff) school visits on a semester basis to build relationships with schools and caregivers.
Training and Supervision
- In coordination with ELITE Scholars Office, recruit and supervise peer mentors, including assignments, training, workflow, and performance.
- Arrange, schedule, and coordinate in-service orientation and training workshops for peer mentors and volunteers.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include: As listed in Classification Standards: - Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse population.
- Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of the coordination of college preparatory or similar programs.
- General knowledge of research and interview techniques.
- General knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.
- Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
- Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
- Ability to obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews.
- Ability to reason logically.
- Ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.
- Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required.
- Ability to recognize multicultural value systems and work accordingly.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies, community contacts, and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts.
- Ability to rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions, and programs of Cal Poly Humboldt.
- Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas, Services Office.
- General knowledge and familiarity with addressing issues of concern facing students from diverse backgrounds.
As Related to the major responsibilities for this position: - Demonstrated experience working with Child Welfare, Courts, Tribes, and school systems
- Experience in event planning
- Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable student populations, preferably older youth and foster youth.
- Experience developing education and life skills curriculum preferred.
- Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with executive leaders, faculty, staff, students, caregivers and community members
- Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction.
- Ability to promote knowledge of the social, political, personal, and cross-cultural needs of students in Tribal or County care placements.
- Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.
- Ability to interact professionally, effectively, and collaborate with diverse constituencies.
- Ability to work with Minor populations
Minimum Qualifications: Experience: - Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.
Education: - Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Native American Studies or Other Related fields. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
- Driver’s License
Preferred Qualifications: - Master's of Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other related field.
- 3-5 years of professional experience working with vulnerable student populations, preferably older youth and foster youth.
- Ability to work with a diverse population, including communicating with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic, and educational levels. Also, effective in communication in individual or large group settings
Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the
Apply Now button:
- Letter of Interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for at least three professional references
Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on 01/29/2026.
Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.
We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.
Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.
Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.
CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu .
Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.
CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Mandated Reporting: This position may be 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.
Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.
Class Code: [3082]
Publication Date: [01/15/2026]
Advertised: Jan 15 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Jan 29 2026 Pacific Standard Time
