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Rancho Santiago Community College District seeks a research professional to develop and implement studies, coordinate data collection, and analyze results. You will prepare instruments, supervise students, and report findings to stakeholders.
Experience in statistics, data processing, and educational program evaluation is required, with a focus on equity and diversity in community college settings. This role reports to the Human Resources Division in Santa Ana.
RSCCD is one of the most established districts in the state and has been in operation for nearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Orange County, it is one of the largest of California's 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange County's total area and serves a population of more than 700,000 residents in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Tustin, and Yorba Linda. The district includes Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College, as well as the Centennial and Orange Continuing Education Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Joint Powers Fire Training Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCD's three (3) auxiliary Foundations are actively involved in supporting both community and campus programs.
RSCCD’s student population is a direct reflection of the diverse communities in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a whole, the district has the honor of serving approximately 55,537 students: 51% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% White, 9% Asian & Filipino, and 2% are African American. RSCCD is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and serves predominately historically underrepresented students. There is a commitment to foster student centered values among our employees to provide equitable student learning, academic excellence, and workforce development. By delivering high-quality educational programs and student support services, the district ensures that students have the appropriate resources to achieve their goals.
At RSCCD, our mission is to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice into all aspects of student academics and employee relations. Thus, creating transformational experiences that prepares students and employees to engage in the world with a renewed sense-of-self. Through this commitment, Rancho Santiago Community College District strives to cultivate a learning environment that prioritizes respect, to ensure that RSCCD stakeholders feel valued and supported throughout their academic and professional careers.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in serving diverse community college populations, including faculty, management, and students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD’s mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling all members of the college community to participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changing world.
Candidates will contribute to an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture that supports the diverse needs of faculty, management, staff, and students. They will effectively provide services and support to individuals with differing academic preparation levels and unique learning or workplace needs, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for success. Candidates should demonstrate cultural competency, sensitivity, equity-mindedness, and a commitment to anti-racism in all interactions and contributions. Through their role, they will empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while promoting a positive and inclusive environment where faculty and management can thrive, fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning throughout the college community.
Under direction works with administrative and instructional staff and other community colleges and agencies to develop and implement research studies; identify research questions and appropriate project design, prepare research instruments and implement data collection process, analyze data and produce reports; coordinates and disseminates information; assumes and performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Prepares research designs and data collection instruments; completes literature reviews; creates data processing designs for the microcomputer and/or mainframe processing of research data; supervises student assistants and the collection of data; analyzes data in relation to policy questions and study purposes; creates statistical tables and graphic displays; writes research reports; presents and disseminates research findings; attends meetings and maintains communication and liaison with research study-related individuals; coordinates ongoing research which may relate to topics such as student retention and tracking, student outcomes, follow-up studies, student skills assessments, demographics, institutional self-study and community and business needs assessments.
This position reports to the designated manager and may supervise the work of student assistants.
Any combination of training and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree with educational background in statistics, computer science, educational program delivery or management; and three years of experience in research or demonstrated ability to conduct such research.
Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.
Thorough Knowledge of: research design and methods, analysis, writing and reporting methods.
Good Knowledge of: Statistics, data processing software; data collection instrument development; community college programs.
Ability to: write clear, concise reports; communicate well with other program staff; organize and coordinate projects; initiate, design and complete research projects with a minimum of direction; learn new computer technology and research methods; work cooperatively with others of diverse program backgrounds.
Skills: research, computer, human relations, organizational, and statistical skills sufficient to carry out the job duties successfully.
Degrees and coursework completed outside of the United States must be evaluated by an agency approved by, or affiliated with, National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), or California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Applicants are responsible for obtaining and submitting the required credential evaluation as part of their application materials.
Based on the information presented in the application materials, a limited number of candidates with qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a written test and an oral interview.
Meeting the position's minimum requirements does not guarantee advancement in the selection process. Candidate qualifications will be assessed to determine those who meet and exceed requirements and are deemed the most competitive in the applicant pool.
Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the date of the interview. During the oral session, those selected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also be evaluated on the following factors:
A predetermined set of questions will be asked of all applicants interviewed. Applicants are requested to provide thorough yet concise information on their related experience to ensure the correct evaluation of their qualifications. Evaluation criteria will be applied consistently to all applicants.
Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling (714) 480-7455.
The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District’s workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation.
RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.