Interim Executive Director, Categorical Programs

Gofractional; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 159,319 - 225,114; Full time

Job summary

Bakersfield College is seeking an Interim Executive Director of Categorical Programs to lead grant-funded initiatives including EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, NextUp, and related programs. You will oversee budgeting, compliance, and reporting while guiding cross-functional teams to meet program objectives.

The role requires a Master’s degree with extensive management experience in education, and a strong track record in outreach, partnerships, and grant administration.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling or Educational Administration or closely related field.
• Six years of progressively responsible management experience in an educational setting.
• Experience with public relations, student outreach, and grant-funded program administration.
• Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds of students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, manage, plan, implement, and budget for assigned categorical programs (EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, NextUp, DSPS, AB540, SEAP, FKCE, Cal-SOAP).
• Develop internal policies and procedures to meet grant objectives and compliance requirements.
• Create programming to increase enrollment, persistence, and success aligned with college goals.
• Prepare annual work plans and ensure programs comply with state, federal, and local guidelines.
• Monitor compliance with Title V and other relevant regulations; submit annual plans and reports.
• Supervise program staff, provide cross-training, and support professional development.
• Represent programs at district, regional, and state meetings; participate in committees.

Skills

Public relations

Student outreach

Community collaborations

Grant administration

Education

Master's degree in Counseling or Educational Administration

Doctorate degree

Job description

Interim Executive Director, Categorical Programs

Salary: $159,319.52 - $225,114.32 Annually

Location: Bakersfield College -- Panorama Campus, CA

Job Type: Interim Management -- Classified Administrator

Job Number: FY25-2600432

College: Bakersfield College

Department: Transfer Pathways

Hours Per Week: 40

Months Per Year: 12

Note: This recruitment is for an interim position. An interim appointment may last only until a full-time appointment is made and may not exceed two years in duration.

Basic Function

Under the direction of the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Executive Director of Categorical Programs shall serve as the administrator for grant funded programs, including EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, NextUp, DSPS, AB540, SEAP, FKCE, Cal-SOAP, and related programs. The Executive Director is responsible for the development and implementation of annual goals to meet individual program's grant objectives and ensure state and/or federal regulatory compliance.

Representative Duties

1. Responsible for the oversight, management, planning, implementation, and budget management of the assigned categorical programs at Bakersfield College, including: EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, NextUp, DSPS, AB540, SEAP, FKCE, Cal-SOAP, and related programs
2. Formulate internal policy and procedures for all components related to each categorical program regulations and grant objectives, identifying the special needs of eligible students in each program. Develop services to address the needs and procedures to monitor the progress of the students in each program.
3. Develop programming activities to increase student enrollment and student persistence and success in alignment with the College's goals, initiatives and vision.
4. Develop annual work plans and design specific services to students that ensures compliance with state, federal, and/or local policies and guidelines to meet individual program requirements.
5. Monitor activities to ensure compliance with Title V of the California Education Code and other relevant state, federal, and county regulations.
6. Responsible for compliance with regulations and submittal of all annual plans, quarterly reports, and year-end reports related to each categorical program.
7. Supervise and evaluate performance of the categorical programs' staff to include managers, faculty, classified staff, and hourly staff.
8. Provide cross-training and professional development opportunities to supervised staff.
9. Actively participate in workshops, meetings, and conferences at the district, local, regional, state, and federal levels as appropriate to the assigned areas of responsibility. Represent each program in regional and statewide meetings. Serve on college and district committees as appropriate.
10. Develop and maintain the annual budget for each categorical program and oversee daily operations for compliance and practical applications.
11. Seek additional funding sources by preparing funding proposals for state, federal, and private agencies.
12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college/university, preferably in Counseling or Educational Administration.
• Six years of increasingly responsible professional/management level experience in an educational setting that demonstrates administrative process, the ability to work with a diverse student body, and the initiative to develop and create new programs and collaborative services.
• Demonstrated experiences with public relations, student outreach and services, community collaborations, and administration of grant funded programs.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.

Desirable Qualifications

• Doctorate degree.
• Six years of supervisory experience at a college in administration of grant funded programs.
• Bilingual Spanish/English writing and interpersonal communication skills.

Knowledge & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent state and federal laws, education codes, statutes, and regulations specifically for each categorical program.
• Mission, procedures, and operations of California Community Colleges.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Principles of public speaking, marketing, communications, and successful practices for student access and success.
• Budgeting and categorical fiscal reporting.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate leadership in a multiple programs department.
• Envision and effectively organize and supervise the day-to-day operation of assigned areas. Develop, implement, and assess program goals and outcomes.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Work independently and with initiative while creating new programs and opportunities.
• Direct, train, and coordinate office staff and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in a department with multiple programs.
• Interpret and prepare upon request relevant student data, perform student compliance audits, and perform basic accounting functions in order to prepare accurate categorical programs reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Represent the college in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic background of community college students and personnel, including those with physical or learning disabilities.
• Establish and maintain collaborative and effective working relationships with a variety of college staff and community partners.

Application Requirements

Completed applications must include the following:

• Completed online application for employment
• Current resume
• Letter of interest (cover letter)
• List of 5 (five) professional references (entered in online application)
• Copy of legible transcripts (if required for the position)

Important: It is your responsibility to redact or remove any personally identifiable information from all documents prior to uploading, including Social Security numbers, date of birth, photos, etc.

Important Information

Equivalency for Minimum Qualifications: Applicants for faculty and educational administrator positions in California Community Colleges are required to meet certain minimum qualifications as provided by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you may still be eligible by completing the KernCCD Application for Equivalence process.

International or Foreign Degrees: Applicants with international or foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application.

Accommodations: Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements.

Work Authorization: Kern Community College District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission.

E-Verify: The Kern Community College District participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Opening Date: 07/13/2026

Closing Date: 7/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Assured Consideration Date: 07/17/2026