Director, Financial Aid
South Orange County Community College District, mission viejo, ca, United States
Salary: $156,960.00 - $220,836.00 Annually
Location: Saddleback College - Mission Viejo, CA
Job Type: SC - Management (Full-Time)
Job Number:
Office, Division, or School: SC - Office of Student Services
Opening Date: 03/26/2026
Closing Date: 4/15/ :59 PM Pacific
Supplemental Information
Range 17 of the District Management Team Salary Schedule
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) (evening and weekends as needed)
Required Documents :Resume and Cover Letter
Applications missing the required documents will not be considered.
Months: 12
Application materials must be received by 11:59 pm on April 15, 2026
Application Instructions:
- Complete all sections and fields on the application and attach all required documents – incomplete applications may not be considered.
- Include all relevant education, training, and/or experience on the application.
- Do not include any personally identifiable, confidential, or otherwise unrequested information that does not pertain to job related factors (e.g., social security number, date of birth, pictures, etc.) on your application or attached documents.
Application materials must be received by 11:59 pm on April 15, 2026
Description
Specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the position. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
To plan, organize, coordinate, improve and direct the financial aid and scholarship programs, if assigned, and other assigned student support services at a community college; direct the development, administration, implementation and evaluation of program activities and operations; prepare and administer annual program budgets; ensure compliance with District policies and applicable State and federal regulations related to financial aid;
To foster a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the District; lead by example; actively participate in and support District-wide participatory governance components and activities and other collaborative processes; encourage professional excellence among the staff and promote an organizational culture of customer service, innovation, and quality services.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
- Receives general direction from the appropriate level manager, administrator, or designee.
- Exercises functional and technical supervision over assigned classified professionals, student staff and related reporting personnel.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this position. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Assist the Vice President for Student Services, or designee, in the resolution of student and faculty concerns related to assigned programs.
- Attend workshops, professional conferences, and trade shows for program planning and development; represent the Financial Aid Office, other assigned student support services programs and the District at a variety of administrative and professional meetings, as required, including participation in local, state and national professional associations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, education, or closely related field.
Experience
At least five years of increasingly responsible financial aid experience, including at least three years as a financial aid program manager, coordinator, or lead.
Commitment to equity and diversity. All applicants must have demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff. The applicant must be able to demonstrate how these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices within an educational environment.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND/OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE OF
- A community college system.
- All divisions and their inter-relationships; a thorough knowledge of the various student support services required to enhance instruction.
ABILITY TO
- Allocate financial and human resources in accordance with sound management principles.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Application Procedure
To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded
- Completed South Orange County Community College District online application including education and experience.
- Current resume and/or curriculum vitae.
You will also be required to answer the following question:
How has your professional background and experience prepared you to be an effective leader at a college that is committed to equity, values diversity, and expects inclusion?
Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
Notice to all Candidates for Employment
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 South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) will not sponsor any visa applications.
Employees must reside in California while employed with the SOCCCD.
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 SOCCCD 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 SOCCCD to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS
Non-Discrimination Notice
The SOCCCD 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 SOCCCD 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 SOCCCD 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 SOCCCD 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.
The SOCCCD is committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their classes and as such, to eliminating institutional barriers that disproportionately impact students of color. Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment where students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds can thrive academically and professionally.
Irvine Valley College (IVC) serves approximately 21,584 students, reflecting a rich diversity: 41% Asian, 2% Black/African-American, 21% Hispanic/Latino, 8% Southwest Asian and North African, 5% two or more races, and 21% White in Fall 2024.
Similarly, Saddleback College (SC) serves around 25,789 students, with demographics showing 12% Asian, 2% Black/African-American, 29% Hispanic/Latino, 5% two or more races, and 47% White in Fall 2024.
These numbers underscore the importance of our commitment to eliminating equity gaps across all student demographics through implementing dynamic, student-centered practices and policies. To support the academic and career success of our diverse student body, we seek a candidate who will actively contribute to our mission of inclusivity and support. The ideal candidate's values will align with SOCCCD’s goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).