Hospitality Specialist (Housing Operations Professional III)

San Diego State University (SDSU) is a prominent public research university located in San Diego, California. It is part of the California State University (CSU) system, one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the United States. SDSU is committed to academic excellence, diversity, and fostering an inclusive campus environment that benefits students, faculty, and staff. The university serves a diverse population with a wide array of programs, research initiatives, and community partnerships, supporting the personal and professional growth of its members. SDSU operates within a robust Division of Business and Financial Affairs, which is responsible for maintaining a safe and productive campus environment and providing high-quality supportive services through careful management of resources including financial, technological, infrastructure, and human assets. The Office of Housing Administration (OHA) is a crucial division within SDSU that manages an annual operating budget exceeding $159 million. OHA is a self-funded operation employing over 100 staff members and more than 150 student assistants. The office oversees housing for over 9,000 students, live-in professional staff, and faculty across 25 residential buildings, representing more than 2 million square feet of residential space. OHA’s responsibilities also extend to residence halls, apartments, and conference and event spaces including SDSU-IV housing at the Imperial Valley campus. Together with the Residential Education Office (REO), OHA supports the broader educational mission of the university by ensuring well-managed housing environments that enhance the student experience and campus life.

The Hospitality Specialist role within SDSU’s Office of Housing Administration plays a pivotal role in managing day-to-day housing hospitality operations. This full-time, permanent position requires a highly organized and service-oriented professional to lead a variety of housing-related hospitality programs. The role encompasses oversight of conference services, front desk operations, guest services, and specialized housing programs. The Hospitality Specialist ensures excellent customer service, operational efficiency, and strong collaborative relationships with campus and external partners. Key responsibilities include managing complex housing logistics such as reservations, exemptions, lotteries, and event coordination aligning with the university’s strategic and financial goals. The position serves as the primary contact for clients and stakeholders, managing contract logistics, vendor coordination, and emergency response while maintaining policy compliance and recommending operational improvements.

Leadership is a core component of the Hospitality Specialist’s duties. This individual will supervise professional staff, student employees, and front desk teams, providing training and development opportunities to foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture centered on high-quality customer service and student support. The role requires ensuring staff are well-versed in housing policies and procedures and providing ongoing coaching and performance feedback. The Specialist will actively engage with a variety of campus departments and external partners to coordinate and enhance housing services, participating in cross-functional teams to improve housing operations and represent the department at meetings and conferences. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to creating welcoming and well-managed campus housing experiences, supporting SDSU’s mission to provide an inclusive, intellectually vibrant environment.

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation for this role, with initial step placement not expected to exceed $6,191 per month and a salary range from $5,079 to $7,399 per month. The role is exempt from overtime and operates on regular SDSU business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some flexibility based on operational needs. The full benefits package is comprehensive and includes generous paid time off, retirement benefits under CalPERS, medical, dental, and vision coverage, education support via tuition fee waivers, and additional optional offerings such as FlexCash, life and disability insurance, and access to campus community events and employee groups. SDSU values diversity and equal opportunity, adhering strictly to laws prohibiting discrimination and maintaining a culture of mutual respect, open dialogue, and inclusion. The Hospitality Specialist contributes directly to these values by fostering a welcoming housing environment that supports student success and well-being.