Salary : $120,688.56 - $174,772.80 Annually
Location : Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: TEMPORARY/SUBSTITUTE
Job Number:
Division: Office of Student Services
Department: Disabled Students Programs & Services
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A

BASIC FUNCTION

THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Vice President of Student Success, or assigned supervisor, the Director of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) has primary responsibility for administering all aspects of this program. The Director will primarily be responsible for selecting and providing advising support to participants, managing and tracking program funds, recordkeeping, implementing project activities, hiring and supervising staff, conducting project evaluations and ensuring compliance and reporting requirements as may be required federally, statewide, or locally.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

1. Lead and administer the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) programs. This may require some evenings and weekends.
2. Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and 508 of the Civil Rights Act, Title V regulations and District Policies and Procedures.
3. Ensure compliance with federal and state laws pertaining to DSPS such as HIPPA and FERPA.
4. Develop and oversee the DSPS budgets, monitor and approve expenditures, implement adjustments, assume responsibility for reporting and accounting for categorical funding and completion of related reports.
5. Coordinate the WorkAbility Program contract and services and work cooperatively with the State Department of Rehabilitation with regard to all aspects of the contract.
6. Develop and implement goals, objectives, student learning outcomes and priorities for DSPS.
7. Assume responsibility for handling DSPS student personal, program and staff related complaints.
8. Resolve problems regarding student eligibility, acceptance, utilization of programs and services, and delivery methods of programs and services under areas of supervision.
9. Provide leadership and serve in an advisory capacity to the district administrators, faculty, and staff regarding access to college programs and services for students with disabilities.
10. Develop class schedules for the High Tech Center and all DSPS courses.
11. Facilitate student success through innovation in curriculum and through adaptive technology including software and hardware in the High Tech Center and technology for student use on campus.
12. Promote the academic integrity of the program, encourage faculty to develop new course proposals, modify courses and upgrade facilities.
13. Collaborate with Counseling Services to maintain and provide consistency in all aspects of general and specialized counseling services.
14. Assist in selecting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating full-time and part-time program staff.
15. Conduct weekly DSPS staff meetings to include student case studies, topics for staff discussion, dissemination of information, problem solving, planning and sharing of information.
16. Develop and supervise DSPS programs and services at off campus centers and work cooperatively with off campus center supervisors and staff.
17. Maintain a DSPS Advisory Committee.
18. Represent DSPS on various college and community committees.
19. Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education: Possession of a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, or in special education, and twenty-four or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work in counseling, guidance, student personnel, psychology, or social work;
or
Possession of a master's degree in counseling, guidance, student personnel, psychology, career development, or social welfare; and either twelve or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work specifically in counseling or rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, or two years of full-time experience, or the equivalent, in one or more of the following; counseling or guidance for students with disabilities; or counseling and/or guidance in industry, government, public agencies, military or private social welfare organizations in which the responsibilities of the position were predominantly or exclusively for persons with disabilities;
or
Possession of a master's degree in the category of disability, special education, education, psychology, educational psychology, or rehabilitation counseling; and fifteen semester units of upper division or graduate study in the area of disability, to include, but not be limited to: Learning Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities or Adapted Computer Technology;
or
Possession of a master's degree and one year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrator's assignment.

Experience: Two (2) years full-time experience or the equivalent within the last four (4) years in one or more of the following fields:

1. instruction or counseling or both in a higher education program for students with disabilities:
2. administration of a program for students with disabilities in an institution of higher education;
3. teaching, counseling or administration in secondary education, working predominantly or exclusively in programs for students with disabilities; or
4. administrative or supervisory experience in industry, government, public agencies, the military or private welfare organizations, in which the responsibilities of the position were predominantly or exclusively related to persons with disabilities.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid California driver's license and must have an acceptable driving record and current vehicle insurance meeting State of California requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Environment: Busy office environment on campus. Constant interaction with students, faculty, classified staff and the public. Frequent interaction with local, state and federal agencies. Driving a vehicle to conduct work as necessary. Requires some evening and weekend responsibility.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Acting,
• Working Out of Class/Temporary
• (POSITION IS GRANT FUNDED): Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of Grant and or Self-Generated Revenue funds.

SALARY PLACEMENT:

• Salary placement is contingent on education, experience, and department budget.
  • Retirement System: (upon meeting eligibility OR
  • Retirement System: (upon meeting eligibility criteria)

SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

• This position is scheduled 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.
• The primary location is Palm Desert Campus.
• The schedule and location are subject to change based on District need.

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS:

To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded:

• Online Application: All sections of the College of the Desert District online application must be completed including education and experience.
• Resume: Must include length of employment (month/year start and 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: Academic transcripts of all college level coursework showing date degree awarded from an accredited institution. For consideration, degree(s) must be awarded at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Successful candidate must provide official transcripts upon hire. Non-U.S. transcripts must include a certified U.S. evaluation (i.e., NACES agency: www.naces.org) at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

REQUIRED IN YOUR APPLICATION:

• List of References: References should include at least two supervisors and one colleague. Please include name, title, email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

• 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.
• Employment is contingent on residence in California.

• Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
• All submitted materials become the property of College of the Desert Community College District and will not be returned or copied and will be considered for this position only.
• Salary placement will be contingent on all materials submitted for this position.
• Applicant bears the sole responsibility for ensuring that the application package is complete when submitted.
• All travel arrangements will be at applicant's expense.
• Application materials must be received by the deadline. Application materials received after the closing deadline will not be accepted.
• For online application, information, and instructions, visit the College of the Desert job opportunities website at https:// or call (760) 773-2529.

• FAQs: For additional information, click here: Recruitment - Frequently Asked Questions.

TIMELINES:

• For consideration, please apply by September 4, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Interviews are tentatively scheduled between September 21, 2026 through September 24, 2026.
• Tentative schedule is subject to change based on District need.