Job Details

Director, Disabled Student Programs and Support Services

Salary: $105,401.00 - $163,707.00 Annually
Job Type:
Job Number: 20260426
Closing: 5/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Merced College, CA
Department:

We're seeking a bold, equity-driven leader to serve as our Director, Disabled Student Programs & Support Services (DSPS). A pivotal role dedicated to expanding access, removing barriers, and transforming student outcomes for students with disabilities, veterans, and those accessing health services. This position offers the opportunity to lead innovative, student-centered programs that ensure equitable access, responsive support, and institutional accountability, while building strong campus and community partnerships, stewarding categorical funding, and guiding a committed team in delivering high-impact services. If you are passionate about advancing inclusion, using data to drive meaningful change, and creating systems where all students can thrive, we invite you to bring your leadership to Merced College.

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 2
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience
Additional compensation for doctorate
This is a categorically funded assignment contingent upon year-to-year funding


General Description

Plan, supervise, coordinate, and manage all aspects of the Disabled Student Programs & Services, Student Health Services, and Veterans programs to meet the needs of students.

Examples of Duties


REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Design, implement, and maintain programs to meet the needs of Disabled Student Programs & Services, Student Health Services, and Veterans students.
• Work collaboratively with classified professionals, faculty, and administration to better understand the Disabled Student Programs & Services, Student Health Services, and Veterans programs and the needs of those students whom they serve.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with representatives of county, state, and federal agencies in coordinating program development and budgets.
• Coordinate interagency planning and cooperation to identify, evaluate, and enroll potential students.
• Develop and submit appropriate state and federal applications for funds.
• Develop and manage budgets in relation to local, state, and federal policy and compliance regulations.
• Meet with state, local, and federal monitors and auditors to review program performance and activities.
• Recommend employment of appropriate staff.
• Provide professional development, supervision, and evaluation of employees under the position's scope of responsibility.
• Increase program capacity and service to students through innovation and dedication to learning.
• Chair advisory committee meetings.
• Establish collaborative relationships with employers for vocational advisory committees and to obtain employment or internship opportunities for students.
• Represent the college at appropriate conferences and meetings for Disabled Student Programs & Services and Student Health Service.
• Interpret, implement and review College/District Board policies in Student Services.
• Maintain appropriate evaluative methodology, statistical reports, and other records to assess accomplishments and define departmental needs.
• Serve on District standing and ad hoc committees as required.
• Develop and monitor program reviews for departments/programs including student learning and service area outcomes, assessments, and evaluation of data for the purpose of program improvement.
• Encourage a climate of innovation, collaboration, and continuous program improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Knowledge of:

• Rules, regulations, and procedures governing Disabled Student Programs & Services, Student Health Services, and Veterans.
• Title 5 regulations and implementation policies and practices.
• Community college regulations, policies, and rules related to management and hiring practices.
• Local, state, and federal laws and programs related to the employment and training needs of the disabled and disadvantaged.
• State and federal categorical funding sources, purposes, and regulations.
• General principles of accounting and budget preparation.
• Local agencies and community partners vital to programmatic health.

Ability to:

• Oversee comprehensive categorical programs including regulatory, budgetary, and personnel components.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Develop and oversee a financial budget.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate subordinate staff.
• Develop and prepare applications for categorical funding.
• Monitor counseling processes in categorical programs and provide student support, advocacy, and intervention as necessary
• Organize, direct, and monitor a college operation affecting student support services, instructional programs, and state apportionment.
• Show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and implementing long-range program improvements.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate data, and make verbal and written presentations.
• Operate a computer and associated software and hardware.
• Learn, interpret, apply, and communicate pertinent laws, rules and regulations.

Typical Qualifications


REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education/Training/Experience

The director must meet the minimum qualifications for a DSPS counselor OR instructor AND meet the minimum qualifications for an educational administrator, as follows:

DSPS Counselor Minimum Qualifications:

(a) The minimum qualifications for service as a community college counselor of students with disabilities shall be satisfied by meeting one of the following requirements:

1. Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, or
2. Master's degree in counseling, guidance counseling, student personnel, clinical or counseling psychology, education counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy, marriage, family and child counseling, or
3. Bachelor's degree in marriage and family therapy or in marriage, family and child counseling and possession of a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT); and either fifteen or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work specifically related to people with disabilities, or completion of six semester units, or the equivalent of a graduate-level counseling practicum or counseling field work courses, in a post-secondary Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) Program or in a program dealing predominantly or exclusively with people with disabilities, or two years of full-time experience, or the equivalent, in one or more of the following;

(A) Counseling for students with disabilities; or

(B) Counseling in industry, government, public agencies, military or private social welfare organizations in which the responsibilities of the position were predominantly or exclusively for persons with disabilities, or the equivalent.

OR

Instructional Education/Training/Experience Minimum Qualifications:

(b) The minimum requirements for service as a community college faculty member teaching a credit course in adapted physical education shall be the minimum qualifications for an instructor of credit physical education, and fifteen semester units of upper division or graduate study in adapted physical education.

(c) The minimum requirements for service to work with students with speech and language disabilities shall be satisfied by meeting the following requirements:

(1) Possession of a master's degree, or equivalent foreign degree, in speech pathology and audiology, or in communication disorders; and

(2) Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a speech pathologist or audiologist by the Medical Board of California.

(d) Except as provided in Subsections (a) through (c) above, the minimum requirements 66 2017 Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges for service as a community college faculty member to provide credit specialized instruction for students with disabilities shall be satisfied by meeting the following requirements:

(1) Possession of a master's degree, or equivalent foreign degree, in the category of disability, special education, education, psychology, educational psychology, or rehabilitation counseling; and

(2) Fifteen semester units of upper division or graduate study in the area of disability, to include, but not be limited to:

(A) Learning disabilities; (B) Developmental disabilities; (C) Deaf and hearing impaired; (D) Physical disabilities; or (E) Adapted computer technology.

AND

Educational Administrator Minimum Qualifications: (both of the following)

(a) Possession of a master's degree; and

(b) One year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrator's administrative assignment.

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 individuals 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.



To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/mccd/jobs/5320543/director-disabled-student-programs-and-support-services





Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-78ab1eeb068f494e957218b6e9a07c56