Senior Program Specialist - Student Services

State Center Community College District; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

State Center Community College District is seeking a Senior Program Specialist in Student Services to manage program elements, advise students, and coordinate services districtwide in California. The role involves eligibility determination, data analysis, and supporting program compliance with policies and regulations.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in education or related field with at least one year of relevant experience, and offers a permanent, districtwide opportunity with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, communications, public relations, business administration or another relevant field.
• One year of closely related work experience in assigned student support services area; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience working in student services or program administration is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide input in supervising and guiding program staff and student workers to ensure deadlines and standards are met.
• Assist in planning, tracking and reporting program outcomes and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinate student services activities, counseling appointments, and transfers, with attention to equity and access.

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Job description

Senior Program Specialist - Student Services

Salary: $78,168.00 - $96,136.00 Annually

Location: Districtwide, CA

Job Type: Permanent

Division: DO District Office

Job Number: 2026054

Closing: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

General Purpose

Under general supervision, performs routine to complex student andadministrative support of a program in an assigned department or acategorically funded project; determines program eligibility fornew and existing students; advises and delivers program elements tocurrent students in assigned program and to potential at-riskstudent populations including secondary students; encouragesstudent engagement in student life and activities; providesadvanced program/grant management support including preparing andanalyzing statistical data and program metrics; assists the programdirector to ensure program compliance with federal, state andDistrict policies, rules and regulations; and performs relatedduties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides input in selecting, training and providing day-to-daylead work guidance and direction to other program staff, tutors andstudent aides; assigns, schedules and monitors work forcompleteness, accuracy and conformance with District, departmentand legal/regulatory requirements and standards; monitors workflowto ensure mandated deadlines are being met in an optimal manner;provides information, instruction and training on work proceduresand technical, program, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provides input to supervisor on employee work performance andbehaviors; assists in ensuring a fair, open and inclusive workenvironment in accordance with the District's mission, goals andvalues.
• Oversees and participates in the day-to-day operation andservice delivery of a student services program or department;assists current and potential students with understanding andcompleting matriculation requirements, applications, forms andmeeting program requirements; organizes and implements orientationactivities, workshops, conferences, cultural experiences andacademic support/tutoring programs to encourage engagement instudent life/activities.
• Provides academic advising services including career andeducational advising of individuals and groups andorientation andtransfer advising services; assists students in selection of amajor and facilitates career exploration and transfer programactivities related to their educational goals andcareer pathways; advises students on certificate, vocational, associate degree andtransfer programs and courses of study.
• Screens student needs for Counselors and schedules studentcounseling appointments or provides referrals to other campus andcommunity programs; coordinates student access to multiple forms ofstudent services and support including providing accommodations fordisabled students and access to educational andfinancial aid andassisting with maintenance of minimum programrequirements anddocumentation; assists students with access to food, financial,mental health, legal and housing resources.
• Determines student initial and ongoing eligibility for programsor services; tracks student progress and adherence to programguidelines; initiates and maintains permanent student records andassociated coding; verifies documentation from third-partyproviders; updates student status and releases holds followingestablished District policies and procedures.
• Acts as a liaison to local elementary, middle and high schools, adult education programs, community groups and school districts toidentify, target and recruit potential program participants; plans,schedules and facilitates program activities to assist studentswith matriculation activities; provides information to students oncollege course offerings and prerequisites, majors and transfersand coordinates with Counselors to create education plans.
• Organizes and implements student leadership opportunitiesthrough student clubs, service learning, summer work studyprograms, student government and leadership opportunities withinthe program; provides training on public speaking, conductingmeetings and mentoring others as well as information on theimportance of other soft skills; oversees administration ofstudent-related budgets and funds; ensures efficacy of studentgovernment elections and operations; oversees and participates inthe recruitment, selection and training of student club leadership;ensures student clubs meet minimum requirements.
• Oversees and participates in program tracking and data inputand ensures District, state and federal guidelines are met;develops, maintains and audits spreadsheets, databases and reports;utilizes third-party portals and databases to research and trackstudent information; coordinates with other college departmentsregarding financial aid, tracking student work hours, payments andreimbursements.
• Conducts studies and complex data analyses to evaluate theeffectiveness of current programs; makes recommendations on programenhancements/service areas and may assist in assessing student areaoutcomes in applicable programs.
• Coordinates logistics of major programs and events, includingliaising with event participants and securing vendors and sponsors;works with other campus departments and facilities; scheduleslocations, orders food, materials and supplies; troubleshootsonsite, proactively resolving issues.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historicallyminoritized groups and participates in professional developmentactivities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-mindedpractices within the District.

Other Duties

• May participate in program and grant administration functionsincluding grant writing, collecting program data, budget monitoringand generating performance and annual progress reports.
• Oversees program marketing including preparation and productionof promotional materials, invitations and publications; updatesand maintains the department or program website and social mediaaccounts.
• May serve as an advisor to student government.
• Represents the District and participates in state and nationalprogram training and development and professional group meetings;stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the program andgrant area.
• Maintains and purchases inventory and supplies.
• May collaborate with athletics to implement Intramural program,coordinate mascot appearances, and coordinate game managementlogistics including securing entertainment.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Student services program goals, objectives, policies,procedures and practices applicable to area of assignment.
• District assessment, matriculation and course prerequisitepolicies as applicable to areas of responsibility.
• Principles, methods and practices applicable to the design andimplementation of public relations, outreach and marketingprograms.
• District student recordkeeping practices and procedures forprocessing student information and interpreting input andoutputdata.
• College and District organization, rules, policies andprocedures applicable to departmental and division operations.
• Practices and techniques of sound business communication;correct English usage, including spelling, grammar andpunctuation.
• District policies, procedures and rules regarding budgeting,purchasing and travel/training and expense reporting.
• Basic grants administration, methods and practices.
• Research methods and analysis techniques.
• Applicable sections of the California Education Code, Title Vand other applicable laws and grant/categorical fundingrequirements.
• The Family Educational Rights andPrivacy Act and otherDistrict, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and policiesgoverning student records.
• Safety policies and work practices applicable to the work beingperformed.
• Basic principles and practices of employee work guidance anddirection.
• Personnel Commission Rules, Board Policies, AdministrativeRegulations, Human Resources procedures and collective bargainingagreements.
• Uses and operations of scanners, phone systems, computers,standard business software, and database and spreadsheetapplications.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Assist in planning and in assigning, scheduling, and reviewingthe work of assigned staff.
• Communicate information accurately and effectively; understandrequests for information or assistance; maintain a courteous andtactful manner when under pressure or in an antagonisticsituation.
• Coordinate and implement resources, services and outreachactivities to recruit, retain and assist students, particularlyat-risk students.
• Screen for and schedule counseling appointments.
• Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopteffective courses of action in accordance with established policiesand procedures.
• Set priorities and exercise sound judgment within areas ofresponsibility.
• Compose clear, concise and comprehensive analyses,correspondence, reports, studies, agreements, presentations andother written materials.
• Track and report statistical information utilizing complexspreadsheets and databases.
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws,codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groupsby addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality of District and student files andrecords.
• Make presentations and present proposals and recommendationsclearly, logically and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Operate a computer and use standard business software.
• Represent the District effectively one on one and in a varietyof group settings.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with concerned people and sensitive, complex and confidential student issues andsituations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in education, psychology, communications, public relations, business administration or another relevant field, and one year of closely related work experience in assigned student support services area; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements

Certain assignments may require a valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and stand for long periods at a time; and lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with District managers, staff, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees work under typical office conditions subject to frequent public contact, interruption and intermittent exposure to individuals acting in a disagreeable fashion.

The employee may be required to travel to locations other than assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and requirements to work overtime.

SCCCD is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering innovation and inclusivity. We respond proactively to the diverse needs of the community and welcome individuals excited to join our District's purpose to support student success both locally and globally. United, we the faculty, classified professionals and administrators pledge to treat all applicants and employees fairly and equitably.