Job Details

Dean of Student Services

Position Number: 6842259
Location: Merced, CA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Dean of Student Services

Salary: $131,827.00 - $204,507.00 Annually
Job Type:
Job Number: 20251217
Closing: 1/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Merced College, CA
Department:

The Dean of Student Services will serve as a dynamic, visionary leader dedicated to advancing student achievement and closing equity gaps. This is an exciting time to be part of community college education, offering the selected candidate an opportunity to join a collaborative and forward-thinking team committed to improving student outcomes. The Dean will work closely with talented managers, faculty, and classified professionals and will play a key role in implementing both statewide and local initiatives that support equitable student success. Merced College values innovation and seeks leaders who embrace challenges, remove barriers, and champion student-centered solutions.
As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college - we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California's Central Valley.

Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California's Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.

If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team.

Merced College Mission
At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development.

Merced College Vision
Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services:

Degree/Certificate Programs
Transfer
Career Technical Education
Workforce Training
Lifelong Learning
Basic Skills
Community Engagement

Merced College promotes student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement.

Salary Schedule:
Management Range: DeanSalary placement commensurate with education and experience Additional compensation for doctorate
General Description:

Under the general direction of the Vice President of Student Services/Assistant Superintendent, the Dean of Student Services will perform a variety of administrative duties to advance the District's student equity goals of ensuring equitable educational opportunities and promoting student access and success, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or economic circumstances. Primary responsibilities include: providing leadership and coordination for the delivery of student equity, development of basic skills, and related special programs; coordinating and implementing evidence-based processes that lead to increased access and success for all students; and organizing and completing related work as required.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions:

Direct, coordinate, collaborate, and provide leadership for all components of the Student Equity Plan and the Integrated Plan
Oversee all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the newly formed Office of Student Equity and Success (OSES)
Plan, develop, implement, and manage comprehensive programs and services for educationally and socio-economically disadvantaged and historically under-represented students
Provide administrative direction for Extended Opportunities and Services Program (EOPS), Office of Student Success, Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS), Veterans, and other categorical programs related to student equity
Work closely with the Faculty Leads for the Counseling Cohort/Area in administering a comprehensive program of counseling and other student support services
Serve as the Chief Student Services Officer in the absence of the Vice President of Student Services/Assistant Superintendent
Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Student Services/Assistant Superintendent
Apply research methods to assess efficacy of interventions designed to improve student equity outcomes
Work collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, governance entities, and administrative colleagues to ensure broad stakeholder input, engagement, and support

Facilitate and engage faculty, staff, and colleagues in collaborative processes by which to continually evaluate and improve programs and services, including professional development and training programs as needed
Provide leadership, direction and coordination with the Office of Instruction for enrollment development and student retention to assure maximum student access, progress, and success
Collaborate with the student services departments, instructional departments, special programs, and career programs to enhance recruitment and retention of underrepresented students
Collaborate with counseling staff and counselors to identify gaps in services and develop appropriate strategies to address these gaps
Assess and monitor student success and retention rates of various cohorts for developing new programs and strengthening existing programs to respond to their academic needs; cohorts include, but are not limited to: Puente, first-year students, veterans, foster youth, student athletes, and other identified target populations
Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of programs, services, strategies and approaches and propose adjustments as appropriate
Develop campus and community resources and referral agencies
Exercise initiative and creativity to meet diverse student educational needs
Work closely with student groups to develop celebrations on campus that engage entire campus community in multicultural events
Assist the college in identifying funding opportunities and other resources to help meet the needs of diverse students
Prepare oral, written, and electronic reports and presentations such as applications, claims, and compliance reports for federal, state, local regulatory agencies, and the District
Read, interpret and apply relevant and related laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to instructional and student support programs and services
Comply with categorical regulations as they apply to budgetary restrictions and program requirements and provide supporting documentation as required for district and state auditing purposes
Maintain current knowledge of legal requirements and regulations as they pertain to student equity and other student equity-related categorical programs and services and basic skills instruction
Supervise and evaluate staff
Other related duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

Student equity planning regarding gender, disability, financial need, foster youth, race/ethnicity, veteran's status and other identified target groups
Effective delivery of student support programs and services
Federal/state regulations pertaining to veteran's educational benefits, student equity, basic skills and student support programs and services
Principles and practices of categorical budget development and administration
Basic research methodologies including needs assessments and methods for determining disproportionate impact
Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations pertaining to student developmental, curriculum, and institutional services
Knowledge of best practices in counseling, curriculum, and instruction
Pertinent sections of the California Education Code
California State Chancellor's Office legal opinions and advisories

Higher education in community colleges, including the mission of the California Community Colleges
Implementation of collective bargaining agreements
Successful interpersonal skills, organizational leadership, team building, staff development and communication techniques
District organization, operations, policies, and objectives
Computer based systems for administrative, business, and educational functions
Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training
Methods and techniques of program development and administration
Principles and procedures of report preparation
Basic computer software use (e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Ability to:

Work as an effective team member in a collaborative work environment with demonstrated commitment to the values inherent to a culturally diverse workplace
Communicate well orally and in writing
Facilitate meetings
Report and prepare funding proposals
Identify the needs of underserved and developmental level students
Manage and/or participate with interdisciplinary teams
Work with innovative programs that encourage enrollment and retention
Establish and maintain a productive and constructive rapport with students, administrators, faculty and staff from multi-cultural backgrounds and promote access and equity.
Train, select, direct, supervise, and evaluate personnel
Analyze, interpret, apply, and explain laws, federal and state regulations, labor contracts, policies, and procedures
Maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, requirements, and restrictions
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
Plan, organize and implement multiple projects and programs and provide updates to the Vice President of Student Services/Assistant Superintendent regarding progress towards completion
Compile and present narrative and statistical reports in a concise and comprehensive manner
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

Typical Qualifications

Required:

Master's degree from an acceptable accredited institution in any discipline AND
One year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment AND
A minimum of one year of managerial experience demonstrating leadership with increasing responsibility AND
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

License or Certificate:

Valid California Driver's License or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire date

Desired:

Doctorate degree AND
Experience in counseling and/or categorical fund management AND Experience in providing services to a diverse student population.
AND
Experience with Student Success and Support Program (SSSP) initiatives and services AND
Experience in providing services to a diverse student population

PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to:

Hear and understand speech at normal levels
Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
Read printed matter and computer screens
Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
Bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, and pull
Reach in all directions
Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard

Vision:
See in the normal visual range with or without correction

Hearing:
Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

Submit a complete application by the closing date/time on the Merced College career pages at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mccd

Required Documentation:

Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)
Resume
List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)
Legible, unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired
Diversity Statement: The Merced College District has a diverse staff and student population. As such, applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large. Please describe your leadership efforts and professional experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a work setting. Please do not include any personally identifying information. Limit your response to one (1) page.
If applicable, foreign transcripts must include a U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an approved organization.
If applicable, Equivalency Review Form (Required for applicants who do not possess the stated minimum educational qualifications and are seeking consideration on the basis of equivalency) https://www.mccd.edu/about-merced-college/divisions/human-resources/equivalency/

Only the required documentation as listed above will be accepted for this recruitment. Any additional documentation will be removed from your application profile.

Interview Information:
Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.

Employee Benefits:
Employee Benefits: Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents cost employee's only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP Vision coverage, and more! Please visit our Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.

Condition of Employment:
The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office. Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/mccd/jobs/5172761/dean-of-student-services