Counseling Assistant
Location
1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA
Job Type
Full-Time, 40 hours/week; 12 months/year
Job Number
CL26-01417
Division
SAC Counseling Division
Department
MESA
Opening Date
05/15/2026
Closing Date
6/5/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
California School Employees Association 579
Start Date
Contingent upon the Board of Trustees approval.
Site
Santa Ana College
2025 CSEA Annual Salary
Grade 5: $51,918.52 - $66,300.06
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Number of Positions
1
Position Duration
This position is grant- and/or categorically funded, and its continuation is contingent upon the grants renewal or availability of categorical funds. The District reserves the right to extend, modify, or eliminate this position by this end date or based on the availability of funds.
Program Description
The MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) program at Santa Ana College is an Academic Resources Program that supports STEM college students to excel in math, computer science, engineering, and science so they can transfer to four-year institutions as majors in these fields Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM).
POSITION DETAILS
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 Californias 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange Countys 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 Sheriffs Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCDs 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 positions 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:
Application Screening
Job announcements will include screening criteria to be used during screening and interviews. This may include, but is not limited to:
Based on the information presented in the application materials, a limited number of candidates with qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a written test and an oral interview.
Meeting the positions minimum requirements does not guarantee advancement in the selection process. Candidate qualifications will be assessed to determine those who meet and exceed requirements and are deemed the most competitive in the applicant pool.
Interview
Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the date of the interview. During the oral session, those selected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also be evaluated on the following factors:
A predetermined set of questions will be asked of all applicants interviewed. Applicants are requested to provide thorough yet concise information on their related experience to ensure the correct evaluation of their qualifications. Evaluation criteria will be applied consistently to all applicants.
Disability Accommodations
Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling (714) 480-7455.
Conditions of Employment
The selected candidate is required to complete the following before employment as part of the onboarding process:
Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam.
Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidates expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment)
EEO STATEMENT
The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District's workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation.
RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
Full-Time Classified Benefits
Permanent employees who work 20 or more hours per week. For a detailed Benefits summary, click RSCCD Benefits Guide 2023.
Health Advocate & Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Group Term Life Insurance
Life Insurance-Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance Optional Voluntary Plans
Additional Voluntary Plan
Tax Sheltered Annuities Leaves
Pension Plans
Part-Time Classified Benefits
Permanent employees who work 19 or less hours per week.
Short-term/Substitute Benefits
Non-permanent temporary employees.
Employer Rancho Santiago Community College District
Address 2323 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, California, 92706
Phone (714) 480-7455