Job Details

EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs Retention Specialist (2 positions)

Position Number: 6923035
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs Retention Specialist (2 positions)

Cuesta College

Salary: $62,436.00 - $75,900.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time - 12 Months/ 100% FTE
Job Number: FY2526-00119
Location: San Luis Obispo & North County Campus, CA
Department: Student Success & Support Programs
Closing: 3/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

DEFINITION

Under the general supervision of the assigned Administrator, plans, organizes, facilitates, and oversees a range of activities in support of Educational Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and its supplemental program Cooperative Agencies for Education (CARE) and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs). Working under minimal supervision, the incumbent provides specialized support services and case management to students in the EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs programs; develops and implements plans to increase awareness of the programs among students, faculty, staff and the community; assists the supervisor in routine program administration as well as handling related clerical duties; and performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
EOPS/CARE are state-funded programs that empower students from historically under-resourced financial and educational backgrounds through academic support, financial assistance, and ongoing encouragement. CalWORKs is a federal and state funded program that addresses basic-need insecurities for parents with dependent children by proving financial assistance, along with education and career development opportunities. This position is distinguished from others by its dedicated focus on guiding eligible students toward achieving their educational goals. The incumbent fosters student success through personalized support and advocacy, while advancing student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by promoting access, persistence, retention, and completion.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide individualized student support using a case management approach to monitor academic progress, assess needs and develop measurable action plans that address barriers to success and support completion and/or transfer;
Advise students on program eligibility, requirements, and expectations, and support those on academic notice (i.e., probation or dismissal status) to help maintain eligibility and improve academic standing; Conduct academic progress checks, provide crisis intervention when needed, and refer students to appropriate campus and community resources (ex. DSPS, Financial Aid, Department of Social Services [DSS]);
Assist students transitioning from non-credit to credit programs in collaboration with non-credit staff to ensure a smooth transition;
Assist students with EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs applications, college admission and registration, financial aid (e.g., FAFSA, California Dream Act Application) and orientations;
Evaluate program applications, request and verify eligibility documents from external agencies (e.g., DSS), determine eligibility, and maintain accurate records in compliance with federal and state guidelines;
Help students access vouchers and stipends through internal offices and external agencies (e.g., DSS);
Evaluate CalWORKs work-study placement suitability, complete documentation, and coordinate with appropriate staff;
Develop and implement student outreach strategies including serving as a liaison between EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs, campus services, and community partners to engage prospective students;
Design and deliver virtual and in-person workshops on academic development and life skills, and facilitate community-building activities to foster student engagement;
Utilize customer relationship management systems to communicate regularly with students, monitor progress, and manage cohort data for effective program support;
Maintain accurate student data, records, notes, forms, and reimbursement applications, and manage data entry into internal or external platforms as needed to support both internal analysis and external reporting;
Participate in inter-agency meetings (e.g., CAPSLO, HASLO, DSS) and conferences to stay informed on program regulations and best practices;
Assign and/or monitor tasks and responsibilities of student workers as needed;
Participate in the Institutional Program Planning and Review Process; and
Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Required

Associate degree.

Preferred

Bachelor's degree.

Experience:
Required

Two years' experience with programs similar to the EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs; educational agency experience preferred;
Education may be substituted for experience on the basis of one year of education for two years of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Principles, practices, and service delivery needs related to EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs programs;
Applicable federal, state, local and general policies, codes, regulations, technical processes, and procedures related to EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs programs and Title V regulations;
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identify, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students;
Apply principles of inclusive, student-centered service to foster a welcoming and supportive environment;
Demonstrate strong organizational skills by effectively managing and prioritizing tasks and maintaining accurate and complete records to support program goals and student success;
Investigate and research problems, devise solutions, and present recommendations;
Foster positive and collaborative working relationships with students, staff, and community partners encountered in the course of work;
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interpret and apply instructions to carry out tasks effectively;
Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.,);
Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and
Ability to interpret and apply District policies and procedures.

Physical ability to:

Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
Lift and/or carry (25) pounds; and
Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Diversity statement (supplemental question).

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Friday, March 20, 2026.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.