Student Services Specialist

University of California; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Rancho Santiago Community College District is seeking a candidate to join our team to recruit high school and non-traditional students, guide them through admissions and counseling, and support ongoing campus services. The role emphasizes equity, inclusion, and collaboration with faculty and staff across departments.

The ideal candidate will help deliver outreach presentations, assist students with registration, and contribute to retention efforts, while fostering a welcoming environment for

Qualifications

• One year of related experience working with students, including those with diverse needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of advisement and recruitment practices.
• Understanding of equity and anti-racism in student services.

Responsibilities

• Recruit high school and non-traditional students through outreach and presentations.
• Assist students with counseling, admissions, registration and related campus services.
• Organize and support on-campus events and retention initiatives.
• Maintain records and assist in tracking applicants through processes.

Skills

Oral communication

Public speaking

Relationship-building

Cultural competency

Education

One year of related experience with students

Job description

About Rancho Santiago Community College District

Rancho Santiago Community College District (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.

About the Position

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.

Class Summary

Under direction gives oral presentations to the community and high schools for recruitment purposes; assists students in academic advisement, career planning, and transitioning from high school, continuing education and other types of institutions to the college; may supervise student workers; and performs related duties as assigned.

Representative Duties

Responsible for recruitment of high school and non traditional students; conduct outreach presentations to high schools and community agencies on subjects such as: admissions, financial aid, residency issues, and program information; collect student information and maintain database for tracking students through the applications, testing and registration process; assists students in obtaining counseling, admission, registration and other campus services; organize and provide support for on campus events; assists in the performance of retention services; conducts tours of campuses; perform other related duties as assigned.

Organizational Relationships

This class reports to the designated manager/administrator. This class works closely with students and gives outreach presentations to the public and community services.

Knowledge and Abilities

Good Knowledge of: methods and procedures of academic and/or career advisement; college programs, policies, and procedures; written and spoken English.

Knowledge of: principles of training; the special needs of diverse student populations; record keeping; principles of public contact and public relations.

Ability to: establish and maintain effective relationships with students, community agencies and the public; communicate effectively; be sensitive to students with special needs; train and supervise personnel; learn, understand and explain college procedures and regulations; advise students on relevant content area.

Skills: May require oral and written proficiency in a language of student population targeted for recruitment, as measure by bi-literacy tests.

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and/or education equivalent to one year of related experience working with students which could include students with special needs.

Additional Qualifications

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.

Interview

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:

• Oral communication skills
• Presentation
• Problem-solving skills

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.

Conditions of Employment

The selected candidate is required to complete the following before employment as part of the onboarding process:

1. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the 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 of employment)

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.