Graduate Program Assistant Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

The Community Action Center, a department of Associated Students, connects San Jose State University students with community service opportunities that deepen the educational experience while promoting the lifelong commitment to civic activism.

This position works in a collaborative team environment, facilitating large-scale signature programs within the Community Action Center focused on advocacy and student empowerment. They serve as a key spokesperson for all programs and events to students and work with staff to strengthen event and volunteer engagement. You will be responsible for event logistics, leading event days, supporting day-to-day operations, mentoring events and outreach program assistants, and leading volunteers on event days. This position is ideal for someone who is interested in student development, event planning, education and/or nonprofit work.

Essential Functions

• Leads the coordination of large scale signature programming (ie: Rooted: Social Justice Music & Arts Festival, March Farmworkers Day programming), completing tasks including but not limited to contacting prospective speakers/vendors, ordering supplies, ordering food, assisting with the recruitment of volunteers, day of facilitation, and tracking purchases.
• Advises the Events & Outreach program assistant team in the development of events (e.i: Weeks of Welcome, In Solidarity, Finals), best practices, and addressing program challenges.
• Supports the development of CAC events aimed at educating the campus community about advocacy, solidarity, and social issues. This includes but is not limited to conceptualizing events, communicating budget constraints, creating supply lists, reviewing marketing materials, creating staffing plans, and day of event support. Hold regular group event planning meetings to collaboratively plan events as a team.
• Assesses CAC programs for impact and makes recommendations for improvement to the Department Manager.
• Assists Department Manager in planning the event calendar each semester.
• Develop and assist in implementing marketing plans for events and programs.
• Research and help with maintaining best practices for student development.
• Support with the facilitation of staff training activities to support student development.

Additional CAC Functions

• Assist in the daily operations of the Community Action Center. For example, restocking supplies, supporting challenges, maintaining a safe working environment.
• Represent the CAC and garden to the campus community (students, staff, faculty, leadership) and local community members and organizations via meetings, events, conferences, tabling opportunities, email communication, etc.; work to build reciprocal partnering relationships.
• Participate in all CAC staff meetings and professional development sessions.
• Participate in summer orientation events if applicable.
• Contribute to all CAC special events and programs.
• Complete tasks (e.g., errands, flyering, clerical support, research, phone calls, etc.) as assigned.
• Perform other duties for CAC, garden, and AS as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience with highly detailed event planning.
• Knowledge in social change movements as it relates to the work of the center.
• Ability to gain core understanding of student development and leadership best practices.
• Capacity to work effectively in a University environment and represent the goals and mission of Associated Students.
• Effectively work with a wide population of students and cultural needs.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and make decisions that impact community safety.
• Ability to follow complex written and oral instructions.
• Ability to manage a project from start to finish.
• Ability to facilitate group activities, lead volunteers, and coordinate group projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Preferred: supervision experience.

Work Environment, Hours, and Physical Demands

• This job operates in an office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.
• Must be able to occasionally lift or carry supplies, up to 40 pounds.
• Must be available Monday through Friday from 8:00AM -5:00PM.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
• Must be available to work 18-20 hours per week.
• Reliable and consistent work attendance and professionalism is required.

Required or Preferred Education and Experience

• Must be a current matriculated San José State University graduate student.
• Requires an interest in social justice, social change movements, and/or nonprofit work. Experience taking ethnic studies courses is preferred.
• Requires excellent time and project management skills.
• Requires strong ability to multitask.
• Requires excellent interpersonal skills.
• Preferred: currently enrolled in the Higher Educational Leadership (M.A.), Justice Studies (M.S.), Educational Leadership (Ed.D), Public Administration (MPA) or related department.

Notes to Applicants

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.

This position may be exposed to sensitive or personal information and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Integrated CSU Administrative Manual 8000 series and Associated Students Information Security Standards as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily after a conditional offer of employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect a conditional offer of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

Associated Students provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. A.S. provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Applications

Applicants must submit a complete application through the Associated Students applicant tracking system, ADP. Only complete applications will be considered.

Deadline

The position will remain open until filled.