College of the Desert Jobs: Community College Excellence in Palm Desert
College of the Desert jobs offer exciting opportunities for academics, job seekers, and professionals in higher education. Located in the heart of Palm Desert, California, this premier community college is renowned for its commitment to student success, workforce development, and seamless transfer pathways to four-year universities. With a focus on academic careers at College of the Desert, including professor positions, lecturer roles, and research jobs, the institution attracts top talent seeking meaningful impact in a diverse, vibrant community.
Whether you're exploring faculty jobs at College of the Desert or curious about salaries in College of the Desert academia, AcademicJobs.com provides the insights you need. Our platform highlights current job trends, such as high demand in health sciences, STEM, and business departments. Students and professionals can also rate professors at College of the Desert to gain valuable perspectives on teaching quality and course experiences. Dive into higher education jobs at College of the Desert today and uncover College of the Desert academic opportunities that align with your career goals. Check out Academic Jobs in Palm Desert, Academic Jobs in California, and Academic Jobs in United States for broader opportunities.
From tenure-track paths to adjunct lecturer roles, professor positions at College of the Desert come with competitive benefits and a supportive environment. Use our tools to compare faculty salaries at College of the Desert and explore research funding. Ready to advance? Find Faculty Jobs at College of the Desert now.
About College of the Desert
College of the Desert, founded in 1958 and opened in 1962, is a public community college serving over 7,000 students in the Coachella Valley region of Riverside County, California. Situated at Palm Desert, California, its 162-acre campus features modern facilities amid the scenic Sonoran Desert landscape. The college's mission emphasizes accessible, affordable education, preparing students for transfer to universities like UC Riverside or CSU San Bernardino, while offering robust career-technical programs.
Key achievements include high transfer rates, innovative programs in renewable energy and health sciences, and recognition for student equity initiatives. With a diverse student body reflecting the region's multicultural fabric, College of the Desert fosters inclusive learning. Explore its history of growth, from humble beginnings to a hub for California higher education. Visit the College of the Desert Website for official details. Faculty and staff contribute to accolades like the Aspen Prize finalist status, underscoring excellence in community colleges.
The campus hosts centers like the Career & Transfer Center and Desert Training & Technical Academy, supporting academic careers at College of the Desert. Links to faculty jobs and professor ratings College of the Desert make it easy to engage.
Faculty Job Opportunities at College of the Desert
Faculty job opportunities at College of the Desert are abundant, particularly in high-demand areas like nursing, engineering technology, business administration, and mathematics. As a leading community college, it frequently posts openings for full-time instructors, adjunct lecturers, and counselors. Recent trends show strong hiring in health sciences due to regional healthcare growth, with positions like Registered Nursing Faculty and Medical Assisting instructors. STEM fields, including computer science and renewable energy, align with California's green initiatives, offering research jobs at College of the Desert.
Salary ranges for new full-time faculty start at approximately $65,000 for entry-level instructors, scaling to $110,000+ with experience and education credits, per the college's salary schedule (2023-2024 data from public disclosures). Adjunct pay is around $70-$90 per unit taught. Departments like Visual Arts and Humanities also seek lecturers for transfer-level courses. Professor positions College of the Desert emphasize teaching excellence and student engagement in diverse classrooms. Explore community college jobs and filter for College of the Desert on AcademicJobs.com.
Current trends indicate 20+ openings annually, boosted by retirements and enrollment growth (7,200+ students). Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, retirement via CalSTRS, and professional development funds. For higher education jobs College of the Desert, check lecturer roles or adjunct professor jobs. In Palm Desert's sunny locale, these roles offer work-life balance near Joshua Tree and Coachella Valley attractions.
💼 Nursing Instructor
Full-time role in Health Sciences. Salary: $75k-$105k. Focus on clinical training.
Apply Now📊 Business Professor
Tenure-track in Business & IT. Salary: $70k-$110k. Emphasize entrepreneurship.
View DetailsWhy Work at College of the Desert
Working at College of the Desert means joining a dynamic institution where faculty thrive in a supportive, student-centered environment. The college's location in Palm Desert offers year-round sunshine, proximity to Palm Springs, and a low cost of living compared to coastal California cities. Academic careers here emphasize teaching innovation, with small class sizes (average 25 students) allowing deep student mentorship.
Unique benefits include sabbaticals after six years, release time for research, and access to the Faculty Association for advocacy. Research opportunities abound in applied fields like sustainable agriculture and public health, supported by grants from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. Career prospects are strong, with many advancing to leadership roles or transfers to universities. Lecturer roles College of the Desert provide flexibility, while full-time positions offer tenure security.
The diverse faculty body (over 40% Latinx/Hispanic) fosters inclusive excellence, aligning with the college's equity goals. Explore higher ed career advice and why faculty jobs College of the Desert stand out for work-life integration and community impact.
Salary Guide for Faculty at College of the Desert
📊 Faculty salaries at College of the Desert are competitive for community colleges, governed by collective bargaining agreements and public salary schedules. Based on 2024 data from the college's transparency portal and California Community Colleges reports, entry-level full-time instructors (MA required) earn $64,000-$78,000 (Step 1-5, Column A-B). With PhD and experience, pay reaches $115,000-$130,000+ (higher columns/steps).
Factors influencing pay include educational credits (up to 10% premium), longevity steps (every 3 years), and department differentials (e.g., nursing +5-10%). Adjuncts receive $70-$92 per lecture unit (pro-rated for labs). Compared to state averages ($95k median), COD offers solid compensation with excellent benefits: 24 vacation days, health premiums covered 100%, and CalPERS/CalSTRS pensions. Location in California boosts appeal despite taxes.
Trends show 3-5% annual increases tied to COLA. For salaries College of the Desert academia, visit Professor Salaries or University Salaries. Counselors and librarians follow similar scales, starting at $68k.
| Position | Entry Salary | Mid-Career | Top Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor | $64,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 |
| Nursing Faculty | $70,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 |
| Counselor | $68,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 |
| Adjunct (per unit) | $70 | $85 | $92 |
Rate My Professor: Top Educators at College of the Desert
Discover top educators through Rate My Professor on AcademicJobs.com, featuring student reviews for College of the Desert professors. Ratings help job seekers gauge department culture and students select courses. High-rated faculty often excel in clarity and support.
Dr. Maria Gonzalez
Nursing, 4.9/5 ⭐
Praised for clinical insights.
Prof. James Lee
Mathematics, 4.7/5 ⭐
Clear explanations, engaging.
Dr. Sarah Patel
Business, 4.8/5 ⭐
Real-world case studies.
Prof. Robert Kim
English, 4.6/5 ⭐
Supportive writing feedback.
Dr. Lisa Chen
Biology, 4.9/5 ⭐
Hands-on labs excel.
Prof. David Ruiz
Counseling, 4.7/5 ⭐
Career guidance standout.
Career Progression at College of the Desert
Career progression at College of the Desert follows a structured tenure-track model typical of California community colleges. New hires start as probationary faculty (2 years), advancing to tenure with evaluations on teaching, service, and professional growth. Ranks include Instructor to Professor, with salary steps every 3 years and column advances for degrees/credits.
Research funding via Title V grants and partnerships supports applied projects. Professional development includes FLEX days and conferences. Many transition to deanships or university roles. Career guide College of the Desert highlights paths in high-demand areas. See Higher Ed Career Advice.
Research and Innovation at College of the Desert
Research at College of the Desert focuses on applied innovation, with strengths in renewable energy (solar tech via SEED Center), health disparities, and water management. Funded by NSF and state grants ($500k+ annually), faculty collaborate with UC Riverside. Trends include AI in education and biotech. Explore Research Jobs and Research Assistant Jobs.
Resources for College of the Desert Academics
- Professional development via COD's Teaching & Learning Center and statewide FLEX program.
- Faculty Association for contract negotiations and rights.
- Benefits: Full medical/dental, 18 sick days, tuition waivers for dependents.
- Union support through AFT Local 6352.
- Grants office for research funding applications.
- Equity training and mentorship programs.
Access free resume templates and cover letter templates.
Student Life and Perspectives at College of the Desert
Student life at College of the Desert buzzes with clubs, athletics (Roadrunners), and events like Cultural Arts series. Programs boast 80% transfer success; popular majors include liberal arts, business, nursing. Use Rate My Professor for professor selection. Career outcomes: 90% employed in-field post-graduation. Resources include EOPS and Puente Project.