"Counseling Assistant (EOPS)"

Counseling Assistant (EOPS)

Rancho Santiago Community College District

Salary Range: Grade 5: $48,072.70 - $61,388.94

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: CL25-01268

Location: Santa Ana, CA

Division: SAC Student Services

Closing: 10/29/2025 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. 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, management, 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 contribute to an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture that supports the diverse needs of faculty, management, staff, and students. They will effectively provide services and support to individuals with differing academic preparation levels and unique learning or workplace needs, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for success. Candidates should demonstrate cultural competency, sensitivity, equity-mindedness, and a commitment to anti-racism in all interactions and contributions. Through their role, they will empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while promoting a positive and inclusive environment where faculty and management can thrive, fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning throughout the college community.

Class Summary

Under general supervision - assists credentialed counselors by performing initial interviews of students, student orientation to programs, and para-professional counseling; in addition, performs related clerical duties; performs related duties as required.

Representative Duties

Conducts initial interview with students and completes related forms; orients students to program(s); performs clerical duties such as maintaining student files and making appointments for counselors; assists in establishing referral liaison between students and college or community resources; may conduct presentations on program(s) to public; may provide para-professional counseling to individual or groups of students; maintains a proper counseling environment. Some incumbents in this class may act as an interpreter for monolingual/limited English students.

Organizational Relationships

This class reports to designated administrator and is directed in their work by Counselors. This class works closely with students, may communicate to the public about their program and may interface with faculty or community resources about a student.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: human behavior and principles of psychology; good written and spoken English, appropriate to college level students; relevant college procedures, policies, and programs; college and community resources available for dealing with student problems; principles and techniques of para-professional counseling related to student interests and problems; clerical, filing and record keeping procedures.

Ability to: interview and assist a wide variety of students in helpful and mature ways; refer students to resource materials and other offices where further assistance may be obtained; give explanations to individuals and groups of students; establish and maintain effective relationships with students and employees; understand and follow oral and written instructions; be sensitive to students from diverse backgrounds; perform clerical, filing and supportive duties; maintain a proper counseling environment.

Skills: Some positions may require oral and written proficiency in a second language as measured by biliteracy tests.

QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and/or experience equivalent to 6 months experience in a position that involves considerable public contact.

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 Rancho Santiago Community College District online application that includes the items listed below by the position's 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
• Resume - details all relevant education, training, and other work experience

Application Screening, Interview, and other details as per the text have been omitted for brevity, but full content is available in the original source.