Interim Director, Special Programs (Fire Technology)
Location
1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA
Job Type
Interim Full-Time Mgmt - Classified Supervisory
Job Number
CL26-01424
Division
SAC Human Services & Technology
Department
Fire Technology
Opening Date
06/23/2026
Closing Date
7/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
N/A
Start Date
As needed
Site
Santa Ana College
2025 Management Annual Salary
Grade H: $129,437.45 - $173,467.04
Position Duration
This interim assignment is temporary through June 30, 2027, or until the permanent position is filled through the normal recruitment process, whichever occurs first.
Program Description
Has overall responsibility to a designated administrator for the supervision and administration of fire technology programs, including all assigned personnel and participants, all related records and reports; performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
POSITION DETAILS
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 Californias 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange Countys 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 Sheriffs Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCDs 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, classified staff, 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 foster an inclusive and collaborative institutional culture that engages and supports faculty, classified staff, and students in achieving the college's mission and goals. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to lead and manage teams effectively while addressing the unique needs of diverse individuals within the organization. They should exhibit sensitivity, equity-mindedness, and a commitment to anti-racism in their decision-making and interactions. Through strategic leadership and inclusive practices, they will empower students to reach their educational and career aspirations while ensuring faculty and classified staff are supported in fostering a creative, confident, and thriving community college environment.
Class Summary
Has overall responsibility to a designated administrator for the supervision and administration of a specially funded program, including all assigned personnel and participants, all related records and reports; performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Representative Duties
Designs, implements, coordinates, and directs activities related to specific projects. Analyzes data in relation to policy questions and study purposes; creates statistical tables and graphic displays. Writes comprehensive reports and makes oral presentations explaining research findings, implications, and applicability. Has overall supervision and day-to-day oversight of specially funded initiatives, as appropriate; assists in recruiting and selecting staff in all areas under direct supervision; provides for in-service training; supervises and evaluates staff, program functions and activities; responsible for the timely and accurate review and preparation of budget documents, including monthly expenditure reports and such documents and summaries as required by the funding source; has substantial responsibility for reporting, including program accountability reports and for seeking additional and alternative funding for programs and activities; responsible for the development and implementation of project goals, objectives, and activities associated with program operations, including but not limited to: planning seminars, training activities, workshops, orientations, public relations and recognition events, as well as for the documentation and evaluation of project activities and outcomes as measured against stated goals and objectives in final proposal, if applicable; supervises the recruitment, orientation, and on-going participation of individual program participants, their organizational sponsors or mentors, as appropriate, and provides overall support necessary to establish a new community-oriented support services program; successfully implements and institutionalizes project activities; responsible for establishing collaborative partnerships with community-based and other local organizations, public and private groups, State and national entities and affiliates to further project goals and objectives and meet critical student and/or community needs; provides substantial leadership and support to committees directly linked to service areas, including special program steering and advisory committees, district-wide committees or task forces.
Organizational Relationships
This class reports to senior administrations and supervises all staff in areas of direct responsibility.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree plus three years of related experience in project management. Experience involving work with community groups and governmental entities, documentation of program activities, and budget administration.
Knowledge and Abilities
Good Knowledge of:principles of supervision and management, record keeping, accountability, and thorough program documentation; research design and methods.
Knowledge of: state education code and district rules, regulations, and policies relating to the district's operation and administration, as well as state and federal rules, regulations, and policies.
Ability to: plan and implement programs; develop and manage budgets; design and administer research studies: write clear and concise complex documents; compile reports; work cooperatively with other employees and the public; establish positive and effective relationships; communicate effectively in writing and speech; comprehend and interpret financial statements; analyze situations and make appropriate decisions; supervise the work of others.
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.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To ensure full consideration, all applicants must submit a complete online Rancho Santiago Community College District application that includes the items listed below by the positions closing date. Recruitment will review all applications for completeness, and only complete application packets will be forwarded to the screening committee for further review.
A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following:
RSCCD Online Application
Cover Letter
Resume - details all relevant education, training, and other work experience
Academic Transcripts (Unofficial copies of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate transcripts).
Foreign Degrees
Transcripts from countries other than the United States must be evaluated by an agency that is approved by or a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), or Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Application Screening
In addition to the requirements and responsibilities listed, the following criteria (as appropriate) may be considered in selecting candidates:
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 positions 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.
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:
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.
Disability Accommodations
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.
Conditions of Employment
The selected candidate is required to complete the following before employment as part of the onboarding process:
Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam.
Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidates expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment)
Submit official transcripts.
EEO STATEMENT
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.
The District provides excellent medical and dental coverage and life insurance of a minimum of $50,000 or a maximum not to exceed the annual salary of the employee. Holidays, sick days, and vacations are earned in accordance with the Administrative Policy. Payroll deductions include the California Public Employees Retirement System and Social Security.
For a detailed Benefits summary, please click this link: https://rsccd.edu/Departments/Risk-Management/Benefits/Pages/default.aspx
Paid Holidays
For the complete list of paid holidays per fiscal year, visit the link below:
https://www.rsccd.edu/Departments/Human-Resources/Pages/Calendars.aspx
01
Describe your experience developing, administering, and maintaining instructional service agreements (ISAs) and training partnerships with fire service agencies. Include your experience coordinating with agency training officers, tracking and collecting training hours and positive attendance records.
02
Outline your experience working with the California State Fire Training Division, including your familiarity with State Fire Training policies, accredited academy requirements, curriculum standards, instructor qualifications, and certification processes.
03
Describe your instructional and teaching background in the fire service and higher education environments. Include the types of fire service, fire officer development, or specialized training courses you have taught in both classroom and hands-on training environments.
04
Explain your experience with student outreach, workforce development, and entry-level firefighter recruitment efforts. Include examples of outreach activities, partnerships with fire agencies, and high schools. Include your experience mentoring prospective students, increasing program enrollment, and assisting students in preparing for careers within the fire service profession.
Required Question
Employer Rancho Santiago Community College District
Address 2323 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, California, 92706
Phone (714) 480-7455