Human Resources Specialist (Confidential) (1 Vacancy Establishing 6-month Eligibility List)

Human Resources Specialist (Confidential) (1 Vacancy Establishing 6-month Eligibility List) Salary: $77,817.60 - $112,690.92 Annually Location: Palm Desert, CA Job Type: FULL TIME Job Number: 2500119 Division: Office of Human Resources & Employee Relations Department: Human Resources & Employee Relations Opening Date: 01/21/2026 Closing Date: 3/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Bargaining Unit: N/A Description 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 BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Vice President, Human Resource and Employee Relations perform technical personnel management duties involved in recruitment, testing, selection, employment, personnel records management, classification and a wide range of personnel reporting activities. The Human Resources Specialist is a confidential position and its duties normally require access to confidential information that is used to contribute significantly to the development of management positions. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: 1. Perform specialized duties involved in recruitment, screening and selection of Classified and Academic employees; communicate with applicants by telephone or in person; administer and identify appropriate skill tests and conduct orientation of new employees; attend job fairs; research recruitment sources. E 2. Consult with and communicate information to employees, supervisors and administrators regarding employment needs, employee concerns, general personnel practices such as EEO, affirmative action regulations, employee benefits and other aspects of personnel administration; interpret personnel policies and procedures and collective bargaining agreement language. E 3. Assist in the maintenance of employment information and personnel records, utilizing appropriate personnel standards, District policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements. E 4. Conduct technical research, analyze and prepare data on a wide variety of District topics; prepare internal and external reports and surveys including State and federal statistical and informational reports. E 5. Coordinate District-wide employee staff development and training activities including budget development and recordkeeping; research and contact presenters; plan and schedule training activities. E 6. Consult with supervisors and administrators; develop job descriptions. E 7. Meet with employees reporting work-related injuries or illnesses to accept and process claims and complete accident reports in accordance with District's workers' compensation procedures; communicate with employees, supervisors, workers' compensation insurance carrier, medical personnel and the business office in the monitoring of workers' compensation claims. E 8. Administer the District's Transportation, Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Notify employees of testing, maintain records for Department of Transportation, serve as a contact for federal agencies. E 9. Schedule and attend negotiations and collective bargaining sessions; take and transcribe notes. E 10. Create language and format for development and maintenance of District Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook; assist in the development of personnel-related procedures; create forms and draft correspondence. E 11. Serve on assigned District committees; represent the Vice President, Human Resources and Employee Relations at District, community and regional meetings. E 12. Assist in informal investigations and fact-finding activities associated with discrimination and harassment complaints. Compile and summarize information; report findings to Vice President, Human Resources and Employee Relations. 13. Assist with employee grievances, complaints and conflict resolution. Work confidentially with highly sensitive personnel matters. E 14. Meet schedules and timelines, organize multiple projects efficiently and effectively and carry out required project details throughout the year. E 15. Seek and participate in professional development activities. E 16. Assist in the maintenance of the personnel database. 17. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to: an Associate's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration or related field and three (3) years of increasingly responsible Human Resources experience. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: Principles and practices of human resources; current human resources practices and procedures; current laws and regulations applying to personnel practices including fair employment standards, equal employment opportunity, records maintenance, non-discrimination, public employee relations and other employee related acts and laws; current State academic minimum qualifications, guidelines; basic workers' compensation regulations, practices and procedures; staff development programs and trends; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; job analysis techniques; employment methods. Ability to: Effectively and efficiently assist in the management of the District's Office of Human Resources and its programs; learn and interpret District policies and procedures accurately; assume responsibilities and perform duties with minimal supervision and direction; effectively and efficiently manage public and staff information programs; communicate effectively and interact with a variety of persons, orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with District personnel, community members, interested agencies and organizations; operate or learn to operate office machines including a computer and appropriate software including database management, scheduling, email, word processing and spreadsheets; understand and follow oral and written instructions; maintain records, filing systems and office procedures for general, technical and statistical office systems; coordinate and organize tasks and people; work confidentially with discretion on sensitive and private information applicable to collective bargaining or other union matters, work independently and confidentially with minimal direction; exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive or confidential matters. EMPLOYMENT STATUS EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Confidential Classified Leadership Salary Range 5 Retirement System: CalPERS (upon meeting eligibility criteria) This posting is for 1 current vacancy and to establish a 6-month eligibility list for current and future Human Resources Specialist (Confidential) openings. WORKING CONDITIONS: Environment: Office environment. Driving a vehicle to conduct work as necessary. SCHEDULE & LOCATION: This position is scheduled 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. The schedule is Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The primary location is Palm Desert Campus. The schedule and location is subject to change based on District need. REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS: To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded: 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: www.naces.org) at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts. 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. 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. Applicant bears the sole responsibility for ensuring that the application package is complete when submitted. All travel arrangements will be at applicant's expense. Application materials must be received by the deadline. Application materials received after the closing deadline will not be accepted. For online application, information, and instructions, visit the College of the Desert job opportunities website at https:// www.collegeofthedesert.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/career-opportunities.php or call (760) 773-2529. FAQs: For additional information, click here: Recruitment - Frequently Asked Questions. TIMELINES: For consideration, please apply by March 1, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. Interviews are tentatively scheduled in-person on Friday, March 20, 2026. Finalist interviews are tentatively scheduled in-person on Wednesday, March 25, 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 ctate-meyer@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 (Download PDF reader) COD - Equal Opportunity Plan (Download PDF reader) Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) THE DCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER To apply, visit: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/collegeofthedesertca/jobs/5130601/human-resources-specialist-confidential-1-vacancy-establishing-6-month-eligi jeid-843486160ee3b446aea7ed27b5723f1f