Secretary (Basic Needs Center) Part-Time + Eligibility List

Secretary Position at College of the Desert

College of the Desert, Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 20,000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year. College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals. As a two-year college, we offer Associates Degree for Transfer, both in Art and Sciences, Associates Degrees, and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.

College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership, staff, and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including racially and ethnically diverse students, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students of all ages, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, "dreamers", and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.

When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences, emphasizes collaboration, and engages students in and out of the classroom. We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.

Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley? Visit the links below.

• The Community Coachella Valley
• College of the Desert

College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. As such, we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve, the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting, and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial, collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion, student education, and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

• Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty, staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
• Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
• Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
• Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and
• Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.

Basic Function

Under the direction of a Coordinator, Supervisor or Director of a small program, perform a wide variety of secretarial and clerical duties in support of an assigned department or function. The Secretary provides support to a Coordinator, Director or other supervisor of a small program or function. The Senior Administrative Secretary reports to a Vice President and provides a broad range of administrative support to a College Administrator. The Administrative Secretary performs duties as primary secretarial support to a Dean of a division or Director of a major program or function.

Representative Duties

1. Perform secretarial duties and assist the supervisor with a variety of clerical, secretarial and administrative duties; facilitate communications and coordinate activities between the supervisor, staff, public and other personnel; establish and maintain positive staff and public relations.
2. Review documents, records and forms for accuracy, completeness and conformance to applicable rules and regulations; compose routine correspondence independently or from oral instructions; compile data for reports as requested.
3. Monitor budget expenditures and transfers, and maintaining financial records as assigned; maintain current account balances as assigned.
4. Order and maintain office supplies and other materials.
5. Communicate information in person or by telephone where judgment, knowledge and interpretation of policies and regulations are necessary.
6. Receive, open and distribute mail; receive visitors, answer telephone calls and refer to appropriate staff members.
7. Type a variety of memoranda, reports and other materials.
8. Arrange and schedule a variety of meetings, appointments and conferences; prepare materials for meetings as assigned.
9. Train, assign and review the work of other employees or student assistants.
10. Operate a variety of office machines and equipment including a computer and related software applications, typewriter, copier, calculator and other equipment.
11. Maintain office files and prepare and type reports as necessary.
12. Attend a variety of meetings and record notes as assigned.
13. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and two (2) years of varied and increasingly responsible secretarial or clerical experience. Knowledge of: Operations, procedures and methods of office to which assigned; modern office practices, procedures and equipment; applicable computer software programs including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and email; record-keeping techniques and alpha and numeric filing systems; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy; receptionist and telephone techniques. Ability to: Perform a wide variety of secretarial and clerical duties in support of an assigned department or function; assemble diverse data for the preparation of reports; maintain complex and varied files and records; type at 45 words net per minute from clear copy; interpret and apply specific rules, policies and procedures of the department or function to which assigned; operate a variety of office machines and equipment, including typewriter, computer and applicable software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email and other related programs, calculator, copier and other equipment; establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing to exchange information in person and on the telephone; meet schedules and time lines; prepare and type reports, correspondence and related materials; bend at the waist, kneel or crouch to file materials; sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Employment Status

• Classified Bargaining Unit Position
• Classified Staff Salary Range 7
• Retirement System: CalPERS (upon meeting eligibility criteria)
• Salary placement is contingent on education, experience, and department budget.
• Position is grant funded: Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of Grant and or Self-Generated Revenue funds.
• This posting is for 1 current vacancy and to establish a 6-month eligibility list for current and future part-time Secretary openings in the Basic Needs Center.

Schedule and location:

• This position is scheduled 19.5 hours per week.
• The schedule is Monday Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. & Thursday 8:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
• The primary location is Palm Desert Campus.

• The schedule and location are subject to change based on District need.

Required application and uploaded documents:

• Online Application: All sections of the College of the Desert District online application must be completed including education and experience.
• Resume: Must include length of employment (month/year start and end dates) for each employer.
• Cover Letter: Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.

• College Transcripts: Academic transcripts of all college level coursework showing date degree awarded from an accredited institution. For consideration, degree(s) must be awarded at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Successful candidate must provide official transcripts upon hire. Non-U.S. transcripts must include a certified U.S. evaluation (i.e., NACES agency: at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

• List of References: References should include at least two supervisors and one colleague. Please include name, title, email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.
• Employment is contingent on residence in California.

• Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
• All submitted materials become the property of College of the Desert Community College District and will not be returned or copied and will be considered for this position only.
• Salary placement will be contingent on all materials submitted for this position.