Program Director, Rising Scholars (Justice Impacted Student Program) (COF)

Kern Community College District; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rising Scholars Program at Bakersfield College within Kern Community College District seeks a Program Director to lead educational and student services initiatives and ensure quality programs.

The successful candidate will collaborate with correctional institutions, community partners, and college departments to expand access, promote equity, and support justice-impacted students, while aligning with district priorities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an academic area related to assignment.
• Five years of full-time experience in administration, including at least three years of leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and administer District policy regarding assigned program(s).
• Interpret and administer College policy with respect to student centered educational services. Plan, implement, and evaluate short and long-range strategies, goals, and objectives related to assigned program(s).
• Review, assess and evaluate assigned programs and services; recommend and implement approved plans and policies to facilitate and improve outcomes, operations and programs within areas of responsibility.
• Provide leadership in generating staff development opportunities for support staff.
• Provide assistance in recruitment, selection, orientation, and evaluation of support staff in assigned program(s).
• Supervise and coordinate department planning and operations; personnel supervision, including development and evaluation of all support staff.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the annual plans and budgets expenditures.
• Act as liaison with District, State, and federal governing bodies regarding assigned programs and practices.
• Market the College and assigned programs to the College community and the general public.
• Serve on College and District committees as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Skills

Leadership experience

Diversity sensitivity

Education

Master’s degree in an academic area related to assignment

Job description

The Program Director is responsible to the assigned Vice President or assigned supervisor, and has broad accountability, within the participatory governance framework, for planning, directing and evaluating assigned functions associated with maintaining quality academic and student services programs.

About the Rising Scholars Program

The Rising Scholars Program at Bakersfield College is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and improving student success for justice-impacted individuals, including students who are currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or otherwise impacted by the criminal justice system. Through collaboration with correctional institutions, community organizations, workforce partners, and campus departments, the program provides educational pathways, comprehensive student support services, and resources that promote persistence, completion, transfer, career readiness, and successful reentry.

The Program Director provides leadership for one of the College's signature student success initiatives, supporting educational programs both within correctional facilities and across the Bakersfield College service area. The successful candidate will foster collaboration among faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners to strengthen educational access, remove barriers to student success, and advance equitable outcomes for justice-impacted students.

This position requires a collaborative and innovative leader who can build strong partnerships with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), county correctional facilities, probation departments, community-based organizations, and other agencies that support student achievement and successful reentry. The Program Director will lead a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality services while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, grant requirements, and institutional priorities.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and servant leader who values collaboration, integrity, equity, and continuous improvement. They will possess the ability to build productive relationships across the College and throughout the community while promoting a culture of inclusion, accountability, and student-centered decision making. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a growing program that transforms lives through education and strengthens Bakersfield College's commitment to serving justice-impacted students and the communities in which they live.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and administer District policy regarding assigned program(s).
• Interpret and administer College policy with respect to student centered educational services. Plan, implement, and evaluate short and long-range strategies, goals, and objectives related to assigned program(s).
• Review, assess and evaluate assigned programs and services; recommend and implement approved plans and policies to facilitate and improve outcomes, operations and programs within areas of responsibility.
• Provide leadership in generating staff development opportunities for support staff.
• Provide assistance in recruitment, selection, orientation, and evaluation of support staff in assigned program(s).
• Supervise and coordinate department planning and operations; personnel supervision, including development and evaluation of all support staff.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the annual plans and budgets expenditures.
• Act as liaison with District, State, and federal governing bodies regarding assigned programs and practices.
• Market the College and assigned programs to the College community and the general public.
• Serve on College and District committees as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an academic area related to assignment.
• Five years of full-time experience in administration, including at least three years of leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.