Director, Human Resources and Employee Relations

About College of the Desert
The 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

Who We Want:
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 the area administrator, plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and provides leadership for the Human Resources functions of the District. The Director is responsible for the clear articulation of District personnel policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreement, and applicable laws and regulations to administrators and employees to ensure compliance and effective Human Resources administration.

Representative Duties
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them form the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department including recruitment and selection, equal opportunity and diversity outreach, compensation and classification, personnel processing, recordkeeping, personnel policies, performance management, employee recognition, contract administration and employee relations; 
2. Assists in selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating the performance of assigned staff; recommend transfers, reassignments, discipline, terminations, promotions and other personnel actions as appropriate. 
3. Oversees and administers the evaluation and the maintenance of the classification system, including salary and classification studies, implementation of salary schedules, classification review, development and maintenance of job descriptions and position control; supervises the coordination of reclassification of all existing and new positions and position responsibilities, according to established policies and procedures. 
4. Coordinates the development, implementation and modification of the human resources information system for the management of employee, retiree, contractor and related HR records and documentation; serves as department lead in the continued implementation of human resources information systems; facilitates continued modification following implementation. 
5. Coordinates the handling of disciplinary matters; counsels managers, supervisors, and employees on District policies, practices, discipline, and performance evaluation matters; investigates grievances or complaints and prepares written reports/responses. 
6. Assists in ensuring compliance with the District's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Plan in various aspects of employment and education, including compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA), sexual harassment, discrimination, Title IX, and EEO; encourage cultural and ethnic diversity in staffing, programs, and services.
7. Assist in directing functions associated with risk management as assigned and the benefit program, providing service and information regarding salary, classification, range and step increases, leaves, unemployment insurance, health and welfare and retirement. Articulates with Payroll Department as needed to ensure proper salary and benefit payments. 
8. Develop and coordinate the gathering and analysis of data used in contract negotiations, special projects, and reports; participate in negotiations and contract administration; interpret bargaining unit contracts, Memoranda of Understanding, Administrative and Board policies. 
9. Participates in the preparation of the annual budget; supervises its implementation and maintenance. 
10. Meet schedules and timelines, organizes multiple projects efficiently and effectively and carries out required project details throughout the year. 
11. Participates in shared governance and collaborates on a variety of institutional issues including employee relations, HR administration, union relations, collective bargaining agreements and related HR topics. 
12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
 1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business administration, public administration, human resources or a related field; AND
2. Four (4) years of increasingly responsible human resources experience; three (3) years of which must have been at the level of supervisor or higher within a HR department. 

Preferred Qualifications
3. Human Resources experience in public higher education, including community college, is preferred. 
4. Master’s degree preferred. 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

• Classified Administrator
• Classified Leadership Salary Range 10

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS:

To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded: 

REQUIRED IN YOUR APPLICATION: 

• 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS: 

• 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.

• FAQs: For additional information, click here: Recruitment – Frequently Asked Questions.

TIMELINES:

• For consideration, please apply by Sunday, May 31, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Interviews are tentatively scheduled in-person in early July, 2026. 
• Tentative schedule is subject to change based on District need. 

Notice to all Candidates for Employment:

DISTRICT RIGHTS: College of the Desert reserves the right to re-open, re-advertise, delay, or cancel filling this position. 

The SELECTED CANDIDATE is required to complete the following prior to employment:

• Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
• Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the candidate’s expense (Clearance must be received prior to the first day of employment).
• Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States(Note: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.) A Social Security Card will be required for payroll processing.
• Participate in a new hire onboarding, completing all required tasks and forms.
• May be required to complete a fitness for duty physical exam based on the job description, as applicable. 

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country. The Desert Community College District (DCCD) will not sponsor any VISA applications nor take over any VISA.

Employees must reside in California while employed with the Desert Community College District (DCCD).

California Public Employees Retirement System and California State Teachers Retirement System:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with the DCCD will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), who accepts employment with the DCCD to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

Disability Accommodations:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or evaluation process, please notify Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the job posting close or initial screening date, by either calling (760) 773 -2529 or sending an e-mail to ffrausto@collegeofthedesert.edu. 

Attendance Requirement:

All DCCD employees are required to report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

Campus Crime and Safety Awareness:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/public-safety/.

Non-Discrimination Notice:

The DCCD provides access to its services, classes, and programs without regard to national origin, immigration status, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, color, medical condition, military and veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or because they are 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.

California Fair Chance Act:

The DCCD 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 job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the DCCD 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.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity:

The DCCD is committed to creating an academic and work environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all, and ensures that students, faculty, staff, and managers of all backgrounds feel welcome, included, supported, and safe. Our culture of belonging, openness, and inclusion, makes the DCCD a unique and special place for individuals of all backgrounds.

The DCCD is looking for equity and inclusion-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to the understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present within our community. When you join the DCCD, you can expect to be part of an exciting, thriving, equity-focused, and inclusive community that approaches higher education with the lens of social justice and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, managers, and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at the DCCD, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with the DCCD's mission and goals for DEIA and EEO.

Additional Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (FEHA)
  • Discrimination Laws Regarding People With Disabilities
  • Reasonable Accommodation
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• AP 7100 - Commitment to Diversity 
• COD - Equal Opportunity Plan 
• Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) 

THE DCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER