"Assistant Professor/Counselor"

Assistant Professor/Counselor

Rancho Santiago Community College District

Salary Range: $89,384.09 - $147,056.08/11-month academic year, depending upon education and experience

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: AC25-01324

Location: Santa Ana, CA

Division: SAC Counseling Division

Closing: 2/4/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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 California's 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange County's 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 Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCD's 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. 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 student populations, including those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, Dual Enrollment, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD's mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling students to participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changing world.

Candidates will cultivate an inclusive classroom culture that engages and supports a diverse student population. They should effectively teach students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with disabilities or differing academic preparation levels. Candidates should show sensitivity to diverse learning needs and a commitment to equity and anti-racism. They will help empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning.

About the Department

The Santa Ana College Counseling Department provides comprehensive academic, career, and personal counseling services to support student achievement and retention. The department serves a highly diverse student population and works collaboratively with instructional divisions and student services programs to ensure equitable access to guidance, resources, and educational planning. Counselors assist students in developing education plans, identifying academic and career pathways, and addressing barriers to success. The department is committed to delivering high-quality, student-centered services that align with the college's mission and institutional goals.

About the College

Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. Santa Ana College is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

General Responsibilities

Counselors provide academic, career and personal counseling by assisting current and prospective students with course and program information, career exploration, educational planning, career selection, and the identification and exploration of personal concerns. They provide assessment opportunities and use the results in helping students with course and program selection. Counselors may teach courses as assigned by the Dean of Counseling. They provide assistance to students on academic probation and assist in the monitoring of student progress with emphasis in helping students to achieve their educational goals. When appropriate, they refer students to other student services programs or community resources. They may participate in staff development and in-service training activities. They perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

(Applicants must meet one of the following):

• Possess from an accredited institution: A master's degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy or marriage, family and child counseling, OR (NOTE: A bachelor's degree in one of the above listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline), OR
• Possess a valid California Community College credential; OR
• The equivalent (applicants who do not meet the above minimum qualifications must complete the Equivalencies Section in the application form.): Any masters degree or higher and 30 graduate units completed in the discipline

AND

• Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and the community. Experience in teaching student from diverse ethnic socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds who have diverse identities and varying levels of proficiency.

Desirable Qualifications

• A working knowledge of and experience with student learning outcomes and assessment.
• Experience with interdisciplinary and community engagement.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, establish and meet deadlines, and work cooperatively with others.

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 position's closing date. The application process will align with RSCCD Administrative Regulations 7120.1 Full-Time Faculty Recruitment and Selection (Download PDF reader).

A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following:

1. RSCCD Online Application
2. Cover Letter
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume - details all relevant education, training, teaching experience (including courses taught) and other work experience.
4. Academic Transcripts (Unofficial copies of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate transcripts).

Hiring Process Timeline
It is anticipated that the screening activities will be conducted as follows:

• Week of February 9, 2026: Screening Begins
• Week of March 9, 2026: Initial Interviews
• Month of March 2026: Final Interviews with the College President
• Month of July 31, 2026: Start of Fall 2026