FT EOPS Specialist (Categorically Funded)

FT EOPS Specialist (Categorically Funded)

Salary: $74,887.68 Annually
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: EOPS-Specialist-26
Closing: 6/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA
Department: EOPS-Specialist-26
Division: EOPS

Description

Equity and Diversity The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal opportunity employment. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices. In fact, the college encourages applications from all segments of qualified people.

Closing Date
This position will close on June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM (or when 150 applications are received, whichever occurs sooner).

College Profile
Cerritos College is ranked 14th among the top 100 schools with the highest Hispanic enrollment in the United States by the United States Department of Education. Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Enrollment currently averages 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at
Department Profile

EOPS is a student support program designed to go above and beyond, providing equitable access and support services to students who face social and economic barriers in higher education. CARE is a specialized program within EOPS for single, head of household parents receiving cash aid who are enrolled at our campus. The programs provide a variety of supports and assists students in their educational development, helping to empower them to achieve their educational goals.

EOPS & CARE along with other special support programs are part of the division of Student Equity and Success.

Summary
Promotes enrollment and retention of economically and socially disadvantaged students into the College. Participates in, and fulfills services and activities that reach out to potential students using techniques such as speaking to community groups, organizing programs and events to enhance school readiness, and making direct contact with potential students. Facilitates eligibility determinations and tracks student progress and compliance with programs.

Distinguishing Career Features

EOPS is a State-sponsored program designed to attract and retain economically and socially disadvantaged students into higher education. CARE is a program for additional services to eligible EOPS students. The Specialist requires competency in outreach and a public speaking capacity to promote and support these and related programs.

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Incumbents assigned to this classification are qualified to perform all of the essential duties, however, will generally concentrate in one or more of the following categories:

Outreach and Recruitment

• Coordinates and performs a variety of specialized duties to support recruiting and retention of economically disadvantaged, minority and at-risk students through one or more programs.
• Participates in planning, organizing, and conducting outreach activities targeting economically disadvantaged students eligible for EOPS/CARE financial assistance and/or services. Assists students with registration by inputting data onto student databases.
• Identifies and maintains contact with first-time, full-time EOPS students. Monitors student progress in getting accepted and aligned with coursework.
• Conducts off-campus recruitment of EOPS/CARE-eligible students. Prepares and delivers presentations to high schools, alternative learning centers, and other locales to orient potential students to the College, programs, and financial aid.
• Provides information to potential students regarding EOPS application procedures and College registration, facilities, services, and the instructional program. Provides information on district policies and procedures.
• Prepares and delivers advertisements, brochures, newsletters, and informational materials and consults with local print and other media to promote interest in the EOPS program.

Student Retention

• Participates in, and implements readiness programs for EOPS. Prepares and distributes advertisements for the program. Organizes cultural and social activities, guides EOPS students to various resources, and organizes special programs, events, and presentations on campus, and with community-based agencies.
• Prepares orientation calendars and conducts orientations for new students to the programs.
• Coordinates a mentoring program for students in the assigned programs. Monitors the attendance of students at workshops and counseling and guidance classes in order to construct a profile matrix of students' activity compliance, GPA, units enrolled, units completed, etc. for grant/service recommendation review.
• May design and conduct information workshops regarding various supportive programs and services, including but not limited to the CARE program and requirements.
• Provides basic advice and referral to students having personal problems that interfere with participation in the programs.
• Refers students to various community employment and social service organizations, employment/unemployment offices, and other local businesses.
• Assists in planning, organizing, and providing a variety of student support services and workshops, and advisory board meetings.
• Prepares informational EOPS/CARE materials including newsletter articles. Prepares and distributes statistics on EOPS/CARE students and send to appropriate personnel for assessment.

Compliance

• Sets up and monitors the procedures for intake and acceptance to the EOPS, CARE and related programs. Reviews student transcripts on an ongoing basis and reaffirms continuing program and financial eligibility (determined through financial aid).
• May serve as the officially designated Cerritos College CARE Coordinator, participating in regional and state CARE meetings and programs.
• As the designated Cerritos College Care Coordinator, manage the CARE budget and ensure compliance with reporting requirements per program directives.
• Maintains a tracking system for inputting and monitoring EOPS and CARE data supporting eligibility reviews, student status, reasonable student progress, audits, and internal and external reporting. Adjusts and/or terminates levels of service accordingly.
• Calculates cost projections and provides to the Director. Orders materials and supplies for the program as authorized. Verifies attendance of participants and instructors.
• In coordination with the Director, researches, utilizes, and interprets legal and policy materials from external agencies concerning CARE students.
• Provides guidance, support and assistance to students concerning class schedules, career goals, instructors, and academic progress. Assists students in resolving problems and in communicating effectively with others.
• Collects and records statistical and demographic information about EOPS students. Inputs data onto an automated information system using established data entry screens. Information is used for determining funding levels.
• Assists with hiring, training and providing work direction to assigned student workers, peer counselors and volunteer staff.
• May oversee student workers including assignments for students in the program who are serving as mentors.
• Maintains currency of knowledge and skills related to the duties and responsibilities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience
The position requires an Associate of Arts degree in a social science or education and three years of experience working with special populations. A Bachelor's degree is preferred and may substitute for some experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of full-time experience (or the equivalent in part-time experience) working with special populations in a student services department, categorical grant program, foster youth support or another social service agency, focused on student equity and success.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a Social Science, Education, Counseling or a related field.
• Experience working specifically in an EOPS program.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge and Skills
The position requires working knowledge of state-funded programs and resources encompassing socially and economically disadvantaged students. Requires a working knowledge of higher education certificate and degree requirements. Requires a working knowledge of Title V, EOPS/CARE and other related State regulations. Requires knowledge of the social, educational, and cultural programs that can enhance student retention. Requires a working knowledge of funding sources and requirements, as well as the services that may be available to students from other agencies. Requires sufficient language and writing skills to prepare reports and correspondence. Requires working knowledge of common office productivity software such as student databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics. Requires math skills sufficient to maintain financial and statistical records. Requires sufficient human relations skills to convey technical concepts to students, exercise patience, and make presentations to secondary schools and outside agencies.

Abilities
Requires the ability to implement programs and services that enhance disadvantage student admission, retention, and outplacement into the job market. Requires the ability to demonstrate sensitivity to a diverse population of individuals. Requires the ability to determine student eligibility to participate in special-funded programs by interpreting rules and regulations. Requires the ability to deliver presentations and perform work assignments at all College locations and off-campus settings. Requires the ability to work productively and cooperatively with others, including diverse population students who are economically disadvantaged.

Physical Abilities
Requires sufficient ambulatory ability to move to various work locations. Requires manual hand-eye-arm coordination to use a personal computer. Requires the ability to retrieve, lift, push, pull, and carry lightweight materials on an occasional basis. Requires sufficient hearing and auditory ability to carry on conversations in one-on-one and small group settings and deliver in-service type presentations. Requires near visual acuity to read printed materials.

Licenses and Certificates
Requires a valid driver's license.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist.

Salary/Fringe Benefits

Grade 38 on District Classified Salary Schedule ($6,240.64 /month).

Health and welfare benefits include District contribution for medical/dental/vision benefits and employee life insurance ($50,000). (Cash in lieu option available on medical insurance.)

Participation in the Public Employee's Retirement System that is also integrated with Social Security.

Selection Procedure
After the application closing date, a search committee will review and invite the most qualified applicants for an interview. As these are highly competitive positions, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. If you have questions or would like to follow-up regarding your application, please contact Human Resources at View email address on staff.academickeys.com as search committee members are unable to discuss specific recruitments.

Conditions of Employment
This is a full-time, 12-calendar month Categorically Funded Classified position.
Hours of employment are 8:00am - 4:30pm, with one day or more working 9:30am-6:00pm, to provide evening office coverage.

Initial placement of employees on Classified Salary schedule is at Step 1. After six months of successful probationary employment, employee is placed at Step 2.

Employment is to be effective as soon as possible following completion of the selection process.

Individual who is offered employment shall be required to obtain fingerprints for a criminal history clearance through the State Department of Justice and remit the required fee for processing the fingerprints (no fee if obtained at Cerritos College Campus Police Station), produce an original social security card, and submit negative TB test results (must be within the past four years or within the last 60 days if not previously employed in a school district in California) before employment.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States and signing of loyalty oath per Government Codes 3100-3109.

** Please note - the District does not provide for immigration sponsorships such as H1B Visas.

Application Procedures

Application materials must be submitted by the closing date. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible interview process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to interview due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at View email address on staff.academickeys.com as early as possible. While advance notice (ideally at least 72 hours before the scheduled interview) helps ensure we can meet your needs, we will make every effort to accommodate requests made at any time.

It is the applicant's responsibility to provide copies of all transcript(s) verifying all educational degree(s) and/or coursework required for the position. Transcripts must be from regionally accredited institutions. A foreign transcript must be evaluated by a NACES certified agency. The website address is

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume/CV
3. Copy of Unofficial Transcripts (Must show all coursework completed and the conferral date of the degree)

To apply, visit

The District ensures that all qualified applicants for employment and employees have full and equal access to employment opportunity, and are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the District on the basis of national origin, religion, age, sex or gender, race, color, medical condition, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or because he or she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. .