Acting Director, Talent Search & Grant Programs

About College of the Desert
The College of the Desert Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 15000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year. College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals. As a two-year college we offer Associates Degree for Transfer both in Art and Sciences Associates Degrees and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.

College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership staff and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including students of color students with disabilities students who are first generation to college veterans students of all ages students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds dreamers and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.

When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse inclusive and collaborative community. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences emphasizes collaboration and engages students in and out of the classroom. We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.

Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley Visit the links below.

• The Community Coachella Valley
• College of the Desert

Who We Want:
College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages socioeconomic backgrounds genders abilities and orientations. As such we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion student education and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

• Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
• Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
• Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
• Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and
• Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.

Under the direction of the Dean of Student Support Services the Director Talent Search Grant Program is responsible for the administration of the federally funded educational opportunity program for low-income first-generation students from middle and high schools. The Talent Search Program provides support services to successfully retain students through high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment. Leadership will include the supervision of program staff program expenditures budget management and campus facilities for the Talent Search Program. The Director Talent Search Grant Program will administer projects throughout the district by consistently coordinating updating and revising the program to assure compliance with federal regulations.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

1. Responsible for overall administration and implementation of the Talent Search Program;
2. Directly supervises program staff;
3. Prepares continuation grant proposals and annual budget;
4. Compiles semi-annual annual and other program reports;
5. Conducts project evaluation;
6. Monitors compliance with all Talent Search Program regulations and legislation;
7. Monitors and administers program budget to guarantee adherence to U.S. Department of Education and district requirements;
8. Develops and maintains electronic student database system;
9. Identifies recruits and selects project participants and determines eligibility for services;
10. Organizes and conducts in-service training of professionals and other staff;
11. Designs and implements program staff development activities;
12. Develops Talent Search Program manual of policies procedures forms and community contracts;
13. Defines and directs work of peer mentors and tutors;
14. Disseminates program information to students families college staff and the community;
15. Maintains communication with middle and high school principals and counselors district counseling faculty district administrators community agency representatives and colleagues at other colleges to ensure that enhanced services are made available to all program participants;
16. Regularly participates in district committees and Student Success division and other administrative meetings;
17. Represents the program and serves as an advocate for needs of disadvantaged students;
18. Coordinates with other state and regional Talent Search Programs; and
19. Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Masters degree in counseling rehabilitation counseling clinical psychology counseling psychology guidance counseling educational counseling social work or career development from an accredited college or university or equivalent foreign degree
2. Experience in designing and implementing comprehensive educational programs
3. Experience with an educational equity program
4. Experience in effectively handling interpersonal crisis situations
5. Experience supervising and evaluating employees
6. Successful grant-writing experience
7. Effective oral and written communication skills
8. Demonstrated ability to manage financial resources with a record of fiscal responsibility and accountability
9. Demonstrated advocacy for students and students needs

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Acting Classified Supervisor (Temporary)
• Classified Leadership Salary Schedule: Range VII

• Online Application:Please fill out your online application completely with all requested details.
• Resume:Must include length of employment (month/year start & end dates)for each employer.
• Cover Letter:Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.
• College Transcripts: For consideration of college coursework transcripts must be attached. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts. Must be from an accredited institution show name of institution degree awarded discipline and date awarded.

• List of Professional References:List of Professional References: References should include at least three supervisors and two colleagues.Please include name title email and current phone numbers for all references in your application. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of the required addition of Professional References.

• For consideration you must apply by November 18 2025
• Recruitment timeline may be updated based on District need.

• College of the Desert reserves the right to re-open re-advertise delay or cancel filling this position.

• Employment is contingent on residence in California.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.

Notice to all Candidates for Employment:

DISTRICTRIGHTS: College of the Desert reserves the right to re-open re-advertise delay or cancel filling this position.

TheSELECTED CANDIDATEis required to complete the following prior to employment:

• Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
• Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the candidates expense (Clearance must be received prior to the first day of employment).
• Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States including a Social Security Card; (Note: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.)
• Participate in a new hire onboarding completing all required tasks and forms.
• May be required to complete a fitness for duty physical exam based on the job description as applicable.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 Public Law 99-603 requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country. The Desert Community College District (DCCD) will not sponsor any VISA applications nor take over any VISA.

Employees must reside in California while employed with the Desert Community College District (DCCD).

California Public Employees Retirement SystemandCalifornia State Teachers Retirement System:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with the DCCD will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) who accepts employment with the DCCD to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

Disability Accommodations:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or evaluation process please notify Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the job posting close or initial screening date by either calling (760) 773 -2529 or sending an e-mail to

Attendance Requirement:

All DCCD employees are required to report to work on a regular and consistent basis as scheduled to assigned job.

Campus Crime and Safety Awareness:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at

Non-Discrimination Notice:

The DCCD provides access to its services classes and programs without regard to national origin immigration status religion age gender gender identity gender expression race ethnicity color medical condition military and veteran status genetic information ancestry sexual orientation marital status physical or mental disability pregnancy or because they are perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

California Fair Chance Act:

The DCCD 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 job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check if the DCCD 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.

Diversity Equity Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity:

The DCCD is committed to creating an academic and work environment that fosters diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all and ensures that students faculty staff and managers of all backgrounds feel welcome included supported and safe. Our culture of belonging openness and inclusion makes the DCCD a unique and special place for individuals of all backgrounds.

The DCCD is looking for equity and inclusion-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to the understanding of diverse academic socioeconomic cultural disability gender identity sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds present within our community. When you join the DCCD you can expect to be part of an exciting thriving equity-focused and inclusive community that approaches higher education with the lens of social justice and collaboration among students faculty staff managers and community deciding whether to apply for a position at the DCCD you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with the DCCDs mission and goals for DEIA and EEO.

Additional Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (FEHA)
  • Discrimination Laws Regarding People With Disabilities
  • Reasonable Accommodation
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• AP 7100 - Commitment to Diversity
• COD - Equal Opportunity Plan
• Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

THE DCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER