President/Superintendent

President/Superintendent

Company:
College of the Redwoods

Job Location:
Eureka, California

Category:
Presidents and Chancellors

Type:
Full-Time

Salary: See Position Description

Location: Eureka - Main Campus

Job Type: Administrator

Job Number: N/A

Department: President's Office

Closing Date: Continuous

Summary

The District President/Superintendent is appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees. The primary responsibility of the President/Superintendent is to ensure an excellent education for the students of the Redwoods Community College District. Consistent with educational excellence the President/Superintendent shall provide sound financial management of the District.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The President/Superintendent has the primary responsibility to lead the District in meeting its educational, financial and accreditation goals; to create a college environment conducive to quality learning and student success; to support innovative efforts of District employees; and to represent the District and the College to all outside organizations, agencies and institutions. The position of President/Superintendent shall be initiatory and executory. The President/Superintendent shall act both as a professional advisor to the Board in the formulation of policies for the governance of the College and as executor of the policies adopted by the Board. All powers and duties delegated to the President/Superintendent are to be executed in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Examples of key duties are interpreted as being descriptive and not restrictive in nature.

• Serves as the educational leader of the District.
• Serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
• Serves as the primary administrative advisor to the Board of Trustees in matters of policy.
• Directs the development of the District budget for submission to the Board.
• Represents the College to the community, the media, government, and other institutions.
• Informs the Board, staff and local constituencies regarding issues and trends affecting the District and exerts influence in the development of local, state and national policy.
• Directs the establishment of administrative procedures for the efficient conduct of operations of the District.
• Formulates immediate and long-range plans regarding all facets of the District

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills

Requires knowledge of:

• Laws, codes, and state and federal regulations governing community college administration.
• Long-range planning, development, and evaluation methods, techniques, and practices.
• Fiscal management, strategic planning, human resources development, collective bargaining, curriculum and instruction, enrollment management, student services, and facilities management.
• Basic principles and practices of organizational improvement, equity, and culture change.
• Effective learning processes at the college level.
• Budget preparation and procedures.
• Principles and practices of management and supervision including planning, organizing, assigning, and reviewing work; performance appraisal and discipline; employee selection and development, and Equal Employment Opportunities.

Abilities

Ability to:

• Administer, manage, coordinate, and evaluate all facets of a community college.
• Interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations, and codes related to community college administration.
• Provide leadership and guidance in establishment and attainment of goals and objectives and for the development of policies.
• Strategically plan and manage people through change. Demonstrate strong analytical and budgeting skills.
• Direct, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of senior administrators and staff.
• Serve as a champion of participatory governance, demonstrating respect, honesty, integrity, trust, confidence, and compassion.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and community.
• Provide student services and/or advocacy for socio-economically and historically underrepresented populations that leads to improved student access and success.
• Make presentations and present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Fundraise and engage with community.
• Balance institutional goals with the efficient use of resources. Serve as a fair, ethical, and accessible leader.
• Partner with local school districts and government, business, and civic organizations in support of educational initiatives.
• Demonstrate diplomacy and take unpopular positions when necessary.
• Consistently perform under the pressure of deadlines and other administrative demands.

Supervision Received

The President/Superintendent performs his/her/their duties and responsibilities using broad discretionary powers under the supervision of the Board of Trustees.

Education and Experience

Education/Training:
A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university; earned doctorate is preferred.

Required Experience:

• Five (5) years of senior-level administrative experience with significant and progressively complex decision-making responsibility with a
  • Minimum of three (3) years of executive level administrative experience, including responsibility for a broad operational segment of the organization with significant fiscal and programmatic oversight including but not limited to academic affairs, student services, administrative services, or human resources/labor relations. Experience reporting directly to a governing body or chief executive officer.
• Experience working with collective bargaining units.
• Track-record of community service and involvement

Ideal Characteristics:

CR seeks a leader who will continue the District's tradition of delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality education and who possesses the following characteristics:

• Consistently demonstrates integrity, transparency and honesty.
• Leads by example to create a climate of respect and accountability.
• Known for being personable, kind, and emotionally intelligent.
• Communicates regularly and effectively, providing clear rationales for decisions.
• Is visible and approachable on campus, showing openness and a willingness to listen to all stakeholders.
• Fosters trust by demonstrating active listening, responsiveness, and follow-through.
• Actively solicits input from faculty, staff, students, and community.
• Embraces shared governance and inclusive decision-making.
• Creates local partnerships to foster strong industry and community engagement.
• Embraces an innovation mindset to lead during times of change.
• Willing to learn and embrace the culture of CR and its communities.
• Shows strong financial expertise in budgeting and external resource development, including grants and fund-raising.
• Grows financial resources through strategic implementation of the California Community Colleges Student Centered Funding Formula.
• Models culturally responsive leadership to enhance student access, retention, and success.
• Implements successful strategies to advance student equity and close achievement gaps.

Opportunities and Challenges:

The successful candidate will collaborate with community, faculty, staff, students, and administrators to address these key opportunities and challenges. Applicants should demonstrate an ability and willingness to do the following:

• Support excellence and innovation in instruction, student services, and all services that result in student success for all, and close student achievement gaps.
• Ensure CR programs are high-quality and meet students' needs through a variety of delivery and pedagogical modes.
• Address the needs and potential opportunities created by changing demographics, enrollment trends, and regional workforce needs.
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees and the college community as they research, identify, and address the numerous implications of technology and artificial intelligence.
• Continue to maintain a welcoming campus climate and provide a safe learning environment that enables all students to achieve their goals.
• Encourage, through modeling and accountability, a positive, collaborative work environment where all constituents are valued and respected by others and where decision-making is transparent.
• Exercise strong fiscal acumen to manage existing resources well and to acquire alternative sources of revenue in a time of economic uncertainty.
• Build on existing partnerships and create new ones in the community that support students and meet the region's workforce needs.
• Continuously review and update the physical plant needs of all sites through Bond Measure I and other resources designated for facility construction, renovation, and modernization.
• Oversee and assess the effectiveness of all learning sites serving an extraordinarily large geographical area.
• Navigate the changing federal mandates and guidelines that impact local funding, policies, and practices, and advocate at the local, State, and national levels in support of our mission and our students.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, financial oversight, and allocation of resources.
• Demonstrated experience supporting student access, equity, retention, and completion.
• Demonstrated experience in fostering innovation in academic and workforce programming.
• Demonstrated experience in developing partnerships with business, industry, agencies, communities, organizations, and education institutions.
• Demonstrated experience with participatory governance.
• Demonstrated experience with accreditation standards, policies, and eligibility requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with external resource development, including bonds, pursuit of grant funding, and community support through partnerships and/or a foundation.
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing and applying applicable data and research findings in decision-making processes and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience working with collective bargaining units.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be competitive, based on experience, qualifications, and negotiation of an employment agreement. A comprehensive benefits package will also be offered.

How to Apply:

Acceptance of application materials will begin on March 9, 2026. The position is open until filled and the first review date is April 17, 2026. To be included in the first review, all application materials must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on April 17, 2026. The Redwoods Community College District reserves the right to cancel or postpone the recruitment at any time during the search process. Applicants must submit all required materials through the District's online employment application system.

Required Materials for Application:

1. Completed Redwoods CCD Employment Application (https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/redwoods?).
2. A letter of interest (not to exceed 3 pages) that provides examples your background and experience that addresses the following from this position announcement: Ideal Characteristics, Opportunities and Challenges, and Desirable Qualifications.
3. A current Resume or CV.
4. A list of eight references with email addresses and cell phone numbers for two supervisors, two subordinates (including one support staff member), two faculty, and two community members.
5. Complete transcripts of all lower division, upper division, and graduate level college/university coursework (unofficial is acceptable for application; official transcripts are required if you are selected for the position). Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency at the applicant's expense. Transcripts become the property of the Redwoods CCD and will not be returned to applicants.

For Assistance with Applying:
Liz Hermosillo
Elizabeth-Hermosillo@redwoods.edu
707-476-4143

Lupita Martinez
Lupita-Martinez@redwoods.edu
707-476-4141

Candidate Inquiries:
Community College Search Services (CCSS) has been retained by the Board of Trustees to facilitate the search and selection process. For additional information, confidential inquiries, and nominations, please contact:

Will Lewallen, Ph.D., Lead Search Consultant
Community College Search Services
will.lewallen@ccss.solutions; (831) 682-3541

Joan Smith, Ed.D., Search Consultant
Community College Search Services
joan.smith@ccss.solutions; (209) 566-5421

Selection Process:
The District will stress confidentiality throughout the search and selection process. Candidates are also expected to respect the confidential nature of all such processes and those involved in the search. First level interviews will be conducted through Zoom. Final interviews will be conducted in person. Candidates selected for a final interview will be reimbursed up to $2,000 for reasonable and appropriate travel expenses. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview.

Please visit our website for updates and announcements pertaining to the President/Superintendent Search.