Administrative Coordinator (Tribal STAR) at San Diego State University Research Foundation – San Diego, California

San Diego State University Research Foundation
Administrative Coordinator (Tribal STAR)

US--San Diego

Job ID: 2026-19843
Type: Full-Time Central Staff
# of Openings: 1
Category: Administrative/Clerical
Academy for Professional Excellence

Overview

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on February 10, 2026.

The starting salary range for this position is $24.00 - 27.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

SDSU Research FoundationEstablished in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU achieved its strategic plan goal of becoming an R1, premier public research university in early 2025 furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university’s strategic aspirations.

Our core values:

Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU’s goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seeking to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development.

Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues.

Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles.

Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Integrity: We are committed to act with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.

FUNCTION OF THE UNITAcademy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services integrate culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices into our daily work to promote healing and healthy relationships. Providing approximately 50,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy provides a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. With seven programs, three divisions and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities.

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and practice. You are expected to foster culturally responsive practice behaviors to promote well-being and a culture that focuses on healing, healthy relationships and changed behaviors.

Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) provides workforce development, organizational support, technical assistance and capacity building for the public child welfare staff of Southern California counties. These services include coaching, simulation, classroom training, eLearning and evaluation services. Workforce development services consist of development opportunities for new social workers, the existing workforce, supervisors, managers and executive level leadership as well as community partners and multi-disciplinary partners working closely with child welfare agencies.

The Tribal STAR (Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness) Program provides comprehensive, competency-based, interdisciplinary training and technical assistance that incorporates current research, best practices, and technical assistance to communities working to build collaborative partnerships to improve outcomes for tribal foster youth and their families and to achieve ICWA compliance. Tribal STAR’s mission is to improve collaborative efforts that ensure tribal foster youth are connected to culture, community and resources. The Tribal STAR program initiatives target county and tribal child welfare workers, supervisors, managers and directors and other professionals providing services to or impacting Native American families. Tribal STAR is a program under the umbrella of Child Welfare Development Services.

Responsibilities

PURPOSE OF THE POSITIONUnder the general direction of the Tribal STAR Community Relations Coordinator, the Administrative Coordinator provides administrative support for the Tribal STAR Program, including training operations and logistics. This includes supporting both in-person and virtual trainings by assisting trainers and participants, tracking registration & attendance, data entry, and preparing training materials. The Administrative Coordinator also supports the planning and execution of all Tribal STAR events, including marketing distribution and assisting with general administrative tasks. The program assistant also plays a crucial part in maintaining positive stakeholder relationships, ensuring cultural responsiveness, and supporting the program’s growth.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40-hour a week, hybrid position with remote flexibility, typically working M-F from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. and is based on contract funding subject to annual renewal. The position may be subject to intermittent overnight travel and work shifts outside of normal business hours, including weekends and evenings if needed.

This position requires that you reside within California throughout the duration of your employment and live within a commutable distance from the worksite your work supports. Positions are typically assigned to either our Riverside or San Diego office for any on-site work.

Note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, abuse against older adults and adults with disabilities, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

The Academy is a project of the San Diego State University Research Foundation, which is grant-funded and serves as an auxiliary to the University. The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working with or teaching college students.

The Academy is currently going through a reclassification process. If this position’s classification changes during this process, it would not change the role, responsibilities, or compensation of the position.

TRAINING AND EVENT COORDINATION (40%)

Stay up to date on all information regarding pertinent processes, protocols, resources, concerns, relationships with constituents, and county organizational cultureConsistently assess for systems improvement, and suggest upgrades to proceduresLocate suitable venues for classroom/training events and coordinate scheduling of training/classroom eventsComplete data entry confirming classes and process material duplication requests when neededManage tasks related to learning management system platform, software and database systems (such as Access Planit, CACWT, and Sum Total) to create course templates, create and manage resources, complete verification processesCreate learner accounts in CACWT, verify roster, manager learner attendance, ensure materials are available Develop and distribute flyers in order to advertise classes/eventsObtain and monitor enrollments/RSVPs from counties and tribes; correspond and communicate with necessary parties Work closely with the Evaluation team to create evaluation links and ensure they are in working order. Coordinate and correspond with LMS and Eval team for satisfaction survey/post-test links, deployment methods, and accurate data in the dashboardMaintain good working relationships with county and Tribal partners and service providers to support excellent collaboration and coordination of servicesUtilize strong written and verbal skills to support excellent communication and flow of information across the Tribal STAR and CWDS teams Collaborate with the Academy fiscal division and provide supportive documentation when necessaryTroubleshoot and problem solve issues with learners, service providers, stakeholders, and Academy staff

CLASSROOM SUPPORT (30%)

Support deliveries in a virtual or in-person environment In the virtual classroom, run class in the zoom platform and manage minor technical issuesIn the in-person classroom, assure environment is kept in a clean and organized manner on a daily basis Support service provider needs and send reminders to service providers and learners of upcoming class one week prior to the day, including location of classAdminister evaluations, pre/post tests, and provide assistance (as needed) maintaining the integrity and security of evaluation and pre/post test dataEvaluate classroom delivery on the following: service provider preparedness, strengths and challengesSet-up technology (laptops, projectors, speakers, tablets) and ensure they are functioning properly before and during the deliveryCoordinate the purchase of snacks and refreshments for classes on- and off-siteManage process for catering at training and eventsCheck out and distribute tablets on the morning of each class, assisting learners with issues that arise with tablets throughout the day. Checks in tablets at the end of each day (including wipe down, shutdown, and securing tablets in storage cart)Move audio/visual equipment and other materials (weighing up to 50 pounds) for various classrooms and event needsAdminister embedded evaluations, pre/post tests, and provide assistance during the satisfaction survey process (as needed) maintaining the integrity and security of evaluationsCoordinate the transportation of materials from Alvarado Office to Riverside Office (or vice versa) and/or from either office to the classroom site using personal vehicle (as needed)Store class materials and host items in personal residence or vehicle (as needed)Provides short presentations to groups of 10-40 learners on an occasional basis

OFFICE/CLERICAL SUPPORT (20%)

Prepare rosters, create zoom links for virtual class, prepare polls and breakout rooms per facilitator instructions, distribute materials to trainees and process technology/equipment check out requests for self and Training HostsTrack eLearning prerequisites Processes check requests, prepare paperwork and maintain receipts for closing advances and reimbursements, submitting all receipts to Alvarado office, monitoring off-site expenditures and maintaining detailed recordsOrder office supplies for on- and off-site classesWork closely with Community Relations coordinator to plan, coordinate and provide technical and logistical support of Tribal STAR meetings/training/eventsProvide support with promotional material design and distribution (e.g., flyers, newsletters, website, event announcements)Support in the creation of agendas, taking minutes, creating calendar invites for Tribal STAR eventsProcess standard and electronic mail, utilize office software (word processing, publishing, spreadsheets) to prepare documents, and manage program files as neededSupport statewide outreach efforts to Tribal and county partners Support data collection/entryTable-top marketing/outreach to assist in statewide marketing and outreach effortsManage updates to stakeholder lists and program list-servs

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (10%)

Establish and maintain a positive teamwork environment in all training and workplace settingsBuild and maintain rapport with partners including Native American communities while honoring cultural protocols and ensuring culturally relevant engagementPerform other duties as assigned which are in the best interests of the Academy for Professional Excellence and Tribal STARTravel to off-site locations for Academy and Program meetings (primarily in Riverside and San Diego)QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIAL SKILLSAbility to build and maintain rapport with service providers, Tribal Partners and community, ensuring all interactions follow cultural awareness protocols and respectful engagement practicesAbility to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivityAbility to work in a team setting & relate well to others within the Academy for Professional Excellence environmentAbility to interact effectively with co-workers, partners, and professionalsAbility to understand and follow posted work rules and proceduresAbility to display motivation and strong interpersonal skillsAbility to be detail-oriented and able to consistently meet deadlinesAbility to display good judgment and critical thinking skills Fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuationAbility to understand standard office proceduresAbility to learn office technology systems and operate standard office equipment; display typing and keyboard skillsAbility to troubleshoot most office administration problems and respond to all inquiries and requestsAbility to understand, interpret, and communicate procedures, policies, information, and instructionsBasic foundation of knowledge and skills in technical information systems and application program packagesWorking knowledge of common software application packages, equipment platforms, reference database systems and sources, and training methodsBasic understanding of networks, data communication, and multimedia systemsKnowledge of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principlesAbility to foster a relationship that reflects our vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Qualifications
MINIMUM EDUCATION

• High school diploma or equivalent

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 4-years of progressively responsible experience in an office or administrative environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with the American Indian community, American Indian service agencies
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant field
Two years of experience supporting events
Knowledge of learning management system platform, software and database systems (such as Access Planit, CACWT, and LMS.)

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law. Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII 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), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices. SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.