Special Projects Specialist (Short-term)

Rancho Santiago Community College District; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 58,000; Part time

Job summary

Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana, CA seeks a Special Projects Specialist (Short-term) to develop and monitor budgets for specially funded projects, coordinate between departments, and ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. The role involves grant preparation, budgeting, and reporting duties in a dynamic educational environment.

The position requires experience in accounting, budgeting, and contract development, with emphasis on accurate records and teamwork

Qualifications

• Two years of college with one year of college-level accounting coursework and one year of paid, employment experience in program, proposal or contract development and reporting.
• Knowledge of Word processing, database, spreadsheet and presentation graphics software; budgeting; accounting principles and methods; English grammar and report writing; Internet research.
• Ability to make complex arithmetic calculations; write clear, concise narratives; interpret regulations and guidelines; interact effectively with others; communicate ideas clearly; work independently and under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor complex special projects budgets and reports.
• Prepare budget and payroll-related transactions and grant documentation.
• Assist in preparing contracts and detailed funding proposals and reports.
• Maintain auditable records and assist with audits and compliance.

Skills

Word processing

Database software

Spreadsheet software

Presentation graphics

Budgeting concepts

Accounting principles

Report writing

Internet research

Calculations

Education

Two years of college with accounting coursework

Tools

Office software suite

Job description

Special Projects Specialist (Short-term)

Rancho Santiago Community College District

Salary Range: Grade 11: $32.85 - $41.95

Job Type:

Job Number: CL26-01467

Location: 2323 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA

Division: DO Educational Services

Closing: 9/30/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

About Rancho Santiago Community College District

Rancho SantiagoCommunity College District (RSCCD) is one of the mostestablished districts in the state and has been in operation fornearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Orange County, it is oneof the largest of California's 72 community college districts,based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCDencompasses 25 percent of Orange County's total area and serves apopulation of more than 700,000 residents in the communities ofAnaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions ofAnaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Tustin,and Yorba Linda. The district includes Santiago Canyon College andSanta Ana College, as well as the Centennial and Orange ContinuingEducation Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Joint Powers FireTraining Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional TrainingAcademy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and theDistrict Operations Center. RSCCD's three (3) auxiliary Foundationsare actively involved in supporting both community and campusprograms. RSCCD's student population is a direct reflection of the diversecommunities in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a whole, thedistrict has the honor of serving approximately 55,537 students:51% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% White, 9% Asian & Filipino, and 2% areAfrican American. RSCCD is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution(HSI) and serves predominately historically underrepresentedstudents. There is a commitment to foster student centered valuesamong our employees to provide equitable student learning, academicexcellence, and workforce development. By delivering high-qualityeducational programs and student support services, the districtensures that students have the appropriate resources to achievetheir goals.

About the Position

The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in servingdiverse community college populations, including faculty,management, and students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, andsocioeconomic backgrounds. This includes those with differingabilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents,VACA participants, and Continuing Education students. They willsupport RSCCD's mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, andcommunication skills, enabling all members of the college communityto participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changingworld. Candidates will contribute to an inclusive and collaborativeworkplace culture that supports the diverse needs of faculty,management, staff, and students. They will effectively provideservices and support to individuals with differing academicpreparation levels and unique learning or workplace needs, ensuringequitable access and opportunities for success. Candidates shoulddemonstrate cultural competency, sensitivity, equity-mindedness,and a commitment to anti-racism in all interactions andcontributions. Through their role, they will empower students toachieve their educational and career goals while promoting apositive and inclusive environment where faculty and management canthrive, fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learningthroughout the college community.

Class Summary

Under direction, develops and monitors complex special projectsbudgets; acts as liaison between administrators, project directors,coordinators and district operations to ensure budget expenditureand reporting compliance with state and federal requirements andguidelines; reconciles budget issues as they arise; prepares avariety of budget and personnel transactions requests; responsiblefor the final production and assembly of grant proposals; conductsresearch; prepares special reports and correspondence; andmaintains auditable records.

Representative Duties

Develop multi-source, multi-year line item expenditure budgets forspecially-funded projects, proposals, and departments, gatheringnecessary data and applying regulations and guidelines from federaland state funded grants; monitors general ledger expenditurereports to assure proper and timely expenditure of funds andsubmittal of accurate program and fiscal reports; creates andmonitors budget and payroll monitoring spreadsheets, asappropriate; assists project administrators and directors onmatters concerning special project budgets; works with internaldepartments and external agencies to resolve budget and expenditurediscrepancies; contributes to development of financial reports andend-of-year claims reporting; may monitor district matchcontributions to specially-funded projects; interprets relatedregulations and guidelines of accounting principles, CaliforniaEducation Code, California Community Colleges Budget and AccountingManual, federal requirements, and internal accounting systems andseeks guidance and approvals from external agencies, as needed;assists in assuring compliance with governmental agencies inspecial projects budget transactions; assists in annual audit, whennecessary; prepares material for district Board of Trustees meetingdockets; disseminates information as needed to faculty and staff;assists with the preparation of contracts and detailed fundingproposals and interprets complex proposal format requirements;prepares special performance and research reports, as needed;maintains and manages records to audit standards.

Organizational Relationships

This position reports to the designated manager and works closelywith many administrators, faculty and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience

Any combination of training, education and experience equivalent tothe completion of two years of college with one year ofcollege-level course work in accounting and one year of paid,employment experience in program, proposal or contract developmentand reporting.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Word processing, database, spreadsheet andpresentation graphics software; principles and techniques ofbudgeting; accounting principles and methods; English grammar andreport writing; use of the Internet for research.

Ability to: make complex arithmetic calculations; writeclear, concise and logical narratives; read, interpret, comprehendand implement governmental and accounting rules, regulations,guidelines, and legislation; interact effectively with others;communicate complex ideas clearly; work independently andcollaboratively; work under pressure to meet deadlines; and employeffective organizational skills

Additional Qualifications

Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to andunderstanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural,ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students,staff, and the community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To ensure full consideration, all applicants must submit a completeRancho Santiago Community College District online application thatincludes the items listed below by the position's closing date.Recruitment will review all applications for completeness, and onlycomplete application packets will be forwarded to the screeningcommittee for further review.

A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following

1. RSCCD Online Application
2. Resume - details all relevant education, training, and otherwork experience
3. Academic Transcripts (Unofficial copies of undergraduate,graduate, and post-graduate transcripts).

Foreign Degrees

Transcripts from countries other than the United States must beevaluated by an agency that is approved by or a member of theNational Association of Credentials Evaluation Service (NACES) or theAssociation of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), orCommission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Application Screening

Job announcements will include screening criteria to be used duringscreening and interviews. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Education experience (breadth and depth)
• Work experience (breadth and depth)
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others
• Bilingual ability (if needed)
• Demonstrated experience and sensitivity to diversity, equity,and inclusion.
• Professional growth activities
• Specialized skills training
• Leadership skills
• Written and/or oral communication skills
• Presentation
• Problem Solving.

Interview

Applicants selected for an interview may be required to takeadditional tests or assessments and will be notified of such priorto the date of the interview. During the oral session, thoseselected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also beevaluated on the following factors:

• Oral communication skills
• Presentation
• Problem-solving skills

Disability Accommodations

Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in theApplication or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA shouldnotify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division atleast two days prior to the closing date, by calling [phone].

Conditions of Employment

1. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work inthe United States.
2. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam.
3. Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate's expense,and clearance must be received before the first day ofemployment)

EEO STATEMENT

The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equalopportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourageapplications from persons who are economically disadvantaged andindividuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groupswithin the District's workforce, including ethnic and racialminorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shallbe denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed,color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mentaldisability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status,sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexualorientation, veteran or military status, or political ororganizational affiliation. RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal historypursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need todisclose your criminal history or participate in a background checkuntil a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making aconditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD isconcerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job,you will be given the chance to explain the circumstancessurrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.