Director of Basic Needs & Student Support - Cal State San Bernardino

Director Of Basic Needs & Student Support

We're hiring : Director of Basic Needs & Student Support to join the Student Affairs leadership team at Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB).

This role leads one of the university's most mission-critical functionsensuring students have the resources they need to stay enrolled and succeed. As Director, you'll guide a cross-campus team delivering essential support services in housing, food security, mental health, and employment, while driving strategic growth through partnerships, grants, and innovative programs. You'll serve as CSUSB's primary campus contact for all basic needs initiatives, representing the university to the CSU Chancellor's Office, internal stakeholders, and external partners.

Another Source's client, Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB), is recruiting a Director of Basic Needs & Student Support to join their team on-site in San Bernardino, California. This is a unique opportunity to lead a critical campus department that ensures students have access to essential resourcessuch as food, housing, mental health support, and emergency aidwhile serving as CSUSB's primary contact for all basic needs initiatives across internal and external stakeholders.

Here's a little about Cal State San Bernardino University :

Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a student-centered, Hispanic-Serving Institution recognized for its commitment to equity, access, and student success. Serving over 20,000 students across its San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses, CSUSB has earned national recognition for upward social mobility and community engagement. The university is deeply invested in supporting the whole student academically, socially, and personally with Basic Needs & Student Support serving as a cornerstone of this mission. This department plays a vital role in removing barriers to education by ensuring students have access to essential resources like food, housing, mental health support, and emergency aid, helping them stay enrolled and thrive through graduation.

About the role :

The Director of Basic Needs & Student Support, reporting to the AVP for Student Affairs / Dean of Students, oversees all aspects of the university's Basic Needs & Student Support department. This role serves as the primary campus contact for CSUSB's basic needs initiatives, coordinating with students, the Chancellor's Office, internal units, and external partners.

What you will be doing :

Responsibilities include providing leadership and supervision to staff and students across the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses, managing fiscal resources in compliance with CSU policies, and ensuring effective delivery of programs that address student housing, food, mental health, and employment needs. The Director also leads the planning, design, and implementation of programs, secures additional partnerships, and oversees compliance with federal and state regulations, including Clery, FERPA, and Title IX.

In addition to managing operations and resources, the Director plays a central role in fundraising, donor cultivation, and grant management to sustain and expand basic needs programs. They develop and implement strategic marketing campaigns, corporate partnerships, and governmental collaborations such as CalFresh expansion. The Director represents the university on the CSUSB CARE Team, addressing sensitive student concerns such as homelessness and food insecurity. They also lead data collection, reporting, and assessment to evaluate program impact, while building strong cross-divisional and external partnerships. Through these efforts, the Director ensures that students' basic needs are met, advancing the university's mission to support student well-being and success.

What we'd like to see from you :

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience and working knowledge of higher education and / or student affairs.
• Bachelor's degree in Higher Education, Counseling & Guidance, Social Work, or related field.
• Committed to student success through care, compassion, and advocacy.
• Skilled in communicating with diverse stakeholders, from students to executive leadership, to promote and support basic needs initiatives.
• Experienced in building and maintaining strong partnerships with individuals and organizations to advance student well-being.
• Knowledgeable of higher education and student affairs trends, applying innovative solutions to support retention, graduation, and DEI goals.
• Strong understanding of unit functions and responsibilities to effectively serve the campus community.
• Adept at determining appropriate actions to sustain operations and long-term engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing administrative processes and initiatives.
• Proficient in collecting and analyzing data to guide resource allocation and decision-making.
• Familiar with campus business practices to deliver efficient and impactful basic needs services.

What's in it for you :

Anticipated Hiring Range : $102,540 - $107,667 per year.

The CSU system offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet you where you're at in life and typically adds 30-35% to your total compensation package. For more information on programs available, take a closer look in the Employee Benefits Summary.

Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance with ample PTO and flexibility, which includes up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group / or services).

Enjoy the vibrant campus life with access to athletic and gym facilities, renowned sporting events, artist events, and world-renowned speakers.

Numerous professional development opportunities to advance your career including tuition waivers for yourself, a spouse, registered domestic partner or an eligible dependent child across any of the 23 CSU campuses.

Two different retirement plans catered to fit your personal saving goals : CalPERS Retirement Plan or 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan).

Medical benefits tailored to support various life stages.

We recognize that transportation to and from work can be expensive and we are here to help support you with pre-tax commuter benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination :

The California State University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all CSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and / or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.