Advancement Coordinator - College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Job Summary

Reporting to the Administrative Services Manager and Executive Assistant to the Dean, the CAFES Advancement Coordinator provides comprehensive administrative oversight and support for the CAFES’ Advancement team. The incumbent supports the coordination of advancement and fundraising activities, college stakeholder engagement, and administrative support to the Assistant Dean of Advancement and External Relations, Director(s) of Development, Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Communications and Student Leadership, donors, volunteers, University Development and Alumni Engagement staff, department heads and college deans, assisting the college in achieving its advancement and fundraising goals.

This position also provides general administrative support within the Dean’s Office as part of the Dean’s Office administrative services team.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,200 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands‑on learning. Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities.

From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex, and Marine Transportation facilities at the Solano campus, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real‑world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment.

• Proficiency in identifying, outlining, initiating, and coordinating multiple activities simultaneously in a rapidly changing environment in order to accomplish large-scale, complex projects with a broad, visible impact; setting deadlines and rescheduling and distributing work assignments based on shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated success in effective interpersonal interactions at all levels, including highly sensitive situations; ability to maintain confidentiality, be personable, a team player and utilize professionalism in dealing with internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to make independent decisions on day-to-day operations of program, with a particular emphasis on interpreting and applying specialized policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively evaluate projects in order to analyze operational and procedural problems and develop, recommend, and evaluate proposed solutions.
• Strong independent judgment and ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures, using own discretion to act when precedents do not exist, and taking initiative to address problems and develop practical and thorough solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including writing concisely and clearly, editing and revising materials submitted by others, and preparing reports at an advanced level.
• Thorough knowledge of office methods, procedures and practices; excellent organizational skills with ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously by applying knowledge of the organization, programs and priorities.
• Ability to understand problems from a broader perspective and anticipate the impact of administrative problems and decisions on other areas.
• Ability to meet deadlines with a finished and effective product using negotiation and persuasion skills to achieve results and expedite projects.
• Ability to troubleshoot office/program administration problems and respond to all inquiries and requests related to program.
• Strong ability to research, review, analyze and present budgetary/financial, stakeholder demographics or other data in a clear and concise manner to various levels of authority in internal and external reports and presentations.
• Strong working knowledge of budget policies and procedures.
• Expertise in office software packages including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software and online communication…