Programs Director Jobs in Indio, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $120,688.56 - $174,772.80 Annually
Location : Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: TEMPORARY/SUBSTITUTE
Job Number: 2600286
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
About College of the Desert
The College of the Desert, Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 20,000 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 racially and ethnically diverse students, 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.
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.

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.

Notice to all Candidates for Employment:
DISTRICT RIGHTS: College of the Desert reserves the right to re-open, re-advertise, delay, or cancel filling this position.
The SELECTED CANDIDATE is 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 candidate's 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(Note: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.) A Social Security Card will be required for payroll processing.
• Participate in a new hire onboarding, completing all requi