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Merced College

*Manager, Outreach, Community Engagement, and Student Onboarding

Merced College, Merced, California, United States, 95343

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Merced College is seeking a dynamic and community-focused professional to lead our outreach and engagement efforts as the Manager of Outreach, Community Engagement, and Student Onboarding. This role is instrumental in building strong relationships with local schools, organizations, and community partners to promote Merced College and connect prospective students to educational opportunities.

The Manager will oversee the college’s experiential vehicle, outreach ambassador program, and large‑scale onboarding events, serving as a visible and active representative of Merced College throughout the region. By coordinating outreach activities and fostering meaningful partnerships, this position helps ensure a smooth transition for new students and strengthens the college’s presence in the community.

Join the Transformation at Merced College Merced College isn’t just a community college — we’re pioneers of change, redefining the educational landscape and setting new standards for excellence. Serving more than 11,000 students each semester, we’re proud to be a hub of learning and opportunity in the heart of California’s dynamic Central Valley. Merced College is a gateway to limitless possibilities.

About Merced College Founded in 1962, Merced College boasts a rich history of academic excellence and community engagement. But we’re not stopping there! We’re on a mission to revolutionize the community college experience, blending tradition with innovation to create a dynamic learning environment unlike any other.

Invested in You At the heart of Merced College’s success are our dedicated employees. We prioritize employee wellbeing, happiness, and professional growth. With a culture of support and employee engagement initiatives, we ensure that every member of our team feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Location Perks Surrounded by natural beauty, Merced offers a vibrant community of 90,000+ with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, fostering innovation, and empowering others to succeed, Merced College invites you to apply and join our journey of growth and transformation!

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 16 Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Candidates with a doctorate will receive both the two‑step placement and the doctoral stipend.

General Description This is an exempt classified administrator position. Under the direction of the Dean of Student Services, the Manager of Outreach, Community Engagement, and Student Onboarding provides leadership and coordination of college‑wide outreach, onboarding, and engagement initiatives. The Manager oversees student ambassadors, community partnerships, and the Merced College experiential vehicle to strengthen student access, equity, and success. The position ensures a seamless transition for new students from recruitment through enrollment while promoting Merced College as an inclusive institution dedicated to serving its diverse communities.

Representative Duties

Coordinate and staff the experiential vehicle at high schools, county fairs, parades, and other high‑profile community events; participate on‑site to provide information, support student ambassadors, and represent Merced College directly.

Plan, schedule, and personally operate the Merced College experiential vehicle at outreach and engagement events; ensure proper setup, functionality, and compliance with safety standards.

Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff, student workers, and ambassadors; promote a high‑performance and equity‑minded work culture.

Develop and maintain strong partnerships with K–12 districts, adult education programs, and community‑based organizations.

Proactively identify and plan Merced College representation at community events, enhancing the Merced College brand and raising Merced College profile in the community.

Develop and implement a comprehensive outreach plan.

Coordinate with various departments on campus to provide targeted outreach to potential students.

Represent Merced College at community events, school functions, and regional partnerships to increase awareness of educational opportunities and provide enrollment opportunities at off‑site locations.

Collaborate with the Public Information Office to develop outreach materials, campaigns, and communication strategies.

Help plan and coordinate logistics for large‑scale onboarding events such as Blue Devil Preview Days, Merced College Summer Round‑up, and various events welcoming new students.

Implement outreach and onboarding strategies that address equity gaps and promote success for historically underrepresented student populations.

Collaborate on the development and implementation of the Student Equity and Achievement Plan, Strategic Implementation Plans, and other institutional initiatives.

Develop, implement, and evaluate program goals, objectives, and outcomes; analyze data and prepare reports to assess program effectiveness.

Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, including Title 5 and California Community College Chancellor’s Office guidelines.

Develop and monitor program budgets, grants, and special funding sources.

Pursue external funding opportunities to support outreach and student success initiatives.

Serve on college and district committees related to outreach, onboarding, and student services.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

Principles, practices, and trends in community college outreach, onboarding, and student engagement

Culturally responsive and equity‑minded practices in student services

Federal and state regulations related to admissions, onboarding, and student services (e.g., Title 5, FERPA, SEA)

Community partnership development and public relations strategies

Budget preparation, grant development, and program assessment

Principles of effective supervision, training, and evaluation

Ability to

Plan, direct, and evaluate outreach and onboarding programs and staff

Lead with cultural humility and demonstrate sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of the college community

Establish and maintain strong community partnerships

Collect, analyze, and interpret data for program evaluation and improvement

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Represent the college effectively at public meetings, conferences, and community events

Manage budgets and secure supplemental funding through grants or partnerships

Coordinate and personally participate in large‑scale events and activities, including those involving the experiential vehicle

Promote and incorporate culturally affirming DEIA and anti‑racist principles to nurture and create a respectful, inclusive, and equitable learning and work environment. In conducting their duties, staff members shall respect and acknowledge the diversity of students and colleagues.

Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

AND

one (1) year of increasingly responsible experience in outreach, admissions, student services, or community engagement in an educational setting.

License or Certificate

Must possess a valid California driver’s license. Travel to locations throughout the District may be required.

Must maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.

Must be able to operate and transport the Merced College experiential vehicle, including completing all required training and maintaining compliance with college and insurance safety requirements.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s degree in education, counseling, public administration, or a related field

Experience working in a California Community College setting

Knowledge of Student Equity & Achievement programs, Guided Pathways, and statewide onboarding initiatives

Bilingual ability in English and Spanish

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 frequent travel to different sites, including schools, community events, and college sites. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Operation of the experiential vehicle will be required.

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

Lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 40 pounds

Vision See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

How to Apply

Submit a complete application by the closing date/time on the Merced College career pages at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mccd

Required Documentation

Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)

Resume

List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)

Legible unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired

Diversity Statement: Merced College requires applicants to describe their leadership efforts and experience promoting diversity, equity, inclusion in a work setting. Please do not include personally identifying information. Limit your response to one page.

If applicable, foreign transcripts must include a U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an approved organization.

If applicable, Equivalency Review Form (required for applicants who do not possess the stated minimum educational qualifications and are seeking consideration on the basis of equivalency). https://www.mccd.edu/about-merced-college/divisions/human-resources/equivalency/

Interview Information Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.

Employee Benefits Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents cost employee’s only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP vision coverage, and more! Please visit our Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.

Condition of Employment The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.

Equal Opportunity Employer Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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