ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Palo Verde College, located on the banks of the Colorado River in the agriculturally fertile Palo Verde Valley, opened its doors in 1947 to 17 students. Over the years the college grew, and in 1999 expanded to include the eastern part of San Bernardino County and the City of Needles. The college offers a wide variety of certificate programs, associate degrees, and transfer programs. Yearly enrollment is approximately 7,000 students (Full and part-tine). Palo Verde College is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and proudly offers many programs to serve and support our diverse student body. In addition, the College is committed to serving students who have been impacted by the criminal justice system through education. For over 75 years, Palo Verde College has been committed to providing students the highest qualify instruction that is accessible, affordable, and in step with the changing needs and demands of the communities we serve.

The Superintendent/President is the chief executive officer of the District and reports to an elected seven-member Board of Trustees and a non-voting student trustee and is responsible for the delivery of educational and other services to promote student success. The Superintendent/President provides a high level of direction regarding the overall operation of the institution.   The Superintendent/President serves as secretary to the Governing Board of Trustees and the Foundation, provides educational, fiscal, organizational, and human resource leadership for the District, and serves as chief administrative officer responsible for planning, organizing and evaluating the resources, programs and services of the district.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides leadership for the college as whole, including, planning, development, implementation and evaluation of educational and fiscal programs for the college.
• Develops and maintains channels of communication with staff regarding all aspects of college operations including curriculum; instruction; business administration; finance; planning; construction and maintenance of physical facilities; personnel; student services; and educational planning.  
• Assures compliance with District policies, state and federal regulations and requirements of accreditation agencies.
• Provides administrative direction in the development and initiation of campus policies and procedures, as well as the organizational structure, which affect curriculum, instruction, student services and activities, and other college operations.
• Presides over the decision-making process to ensure that final decisions and policies are in accord with the general District-wide policies and decisions officially adopted by the Governing Board. 
• Oversees the preparation of the annual district budget and directs operations of the College within the provisions of the budget once it is approved by the Governing Board. 
• Supervises, coordinates, and evaluates the general activities of all college administrators, and delegates to them such authority and responsibility as is required to perform their assigned duties.
• Advises the Governing Board on matters related to District planning, policies, and operations as they affect the district.. 
• Participates in hiring, training and evaluation of diverse faculty and staff highly qualified to achieve district goals. 
• Maintains a highly visible leadership role in the communities served and develops strategic partnerships between educational institutions, corporations, businesses, civic and cultural organizations. 
• Serves as an advocate for the district and articulates its mission and vision of the college and the California Community Colleges locally, statewide and nationally.  
• Provides vision, leadership, inspiration and support to the district staff which results in innovation, program excellence and student success for all, including those with multiple barriers.
• Models superb communication and interpersonal skills, respect the contributions of all staff, and possess a collaborative leadership style that creates a campus culture that is inclusive and effective.
• Engages the community in strategic planning and program assessment that is both visionary and data driven and is the basis for major decisions. 
• Recruits, retains and promotes the success of a student body, staff, faculty and administration that is reflective of the community's diversity.
• Is skilled and efficient in the allocation and management of fiscal resources and in the acquisition of new resources through the District's Foundation and other sources.
• Provides strong leadership to, communication with, and facilitation of the professional development and team building for the Board of Trustees.
• Makes a personal and professional commitment to this community that is demonstrated by his/her involvement and career intentions.
• Provide vision, leadership, inspiration and support to the district staff which results in innovation, program excellence and student success for all, including those with multiple barriers.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of budget and finance, budget development, budget cuts, and generating new sources of revenue.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the laws governing California community colleges, specifically Title 5, AB1725, and collective bargaining.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding addressing organizational change and re-structuring.
• Demonstrates collaborative ability working with unions in a collective bargaining environment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community college and higher education programs and services, academic innovation, workforce and economic development, student success, retention, transfer and career education. 
• Demonstrates commitment and sensitivity to student diversity.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Accreditation Standards, Integrated Strategic Planning, Program Review, Student Learning Outcomes, Assessment, and Budget Development.
• Demonstrates commitment to equal opportunity.
• Demonstrates high level of administrative or executive level experience, preferably at an institution of higher education.
• Demonstrates successful experience in working with boards of trustees.
• Distinguishes record of professional achievement and innovation.
• Demonstrates successful experience in administering multi-million dollar budgets.

• Demonstrates successful experience in working with business, governmental and community agencies.
• Demonstrates successful experience in procuring external sources of funding.
• Thorough understanding of the philosophy and complexities of community college education in California.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Provides leadership in accordance with Accreditation Standards and the role of the Governing Board in policy development and general oversight.
• Communicates effectively in providing timely and complete information to the Governing Board, faculty, classified staff, administrators, managers, students, and the community that reflects both majority and minority thinking on diverse subjects
• Ability to effectively negotiate collective bargaining agreements;  resolve personnel conflicts and disputes; investigate, evaluate and recommend solutions to grievances, claims and complaints; and analyze and apply laws, rules, regulations and policies involving personnel matters.
• Ability to lead within a framework of transparency and shared decision-making.
• Provide leadership through continuing development of an environment that encourages participation in the business community, local government and education community.
• Engage the college community in strategic planning and program assessment that is both visionary and data driven and is the basis for major decisions. 
• Provide vision, leadership, inspiration and support to the college staff which results in innovation, program excellence and student success for all, including those with multiple barriers.
• Be skilled and efficient in the allocation and management of fiscal resources and in the acquisition of new resources through the District's Foundation and other sources.
• Be highly visible in the community and create strong links between the college and the community through a variety of partnerships.
• Make a personal and professional commitment to this community that is demonstrated by his/her involvement and career intentions.
• Model superb communication and interpersonal skills, respect the contributions of all staff, and possess a collaborative leadership style that creates a campus culture that is inclusive and effective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Senior administrative experience in higher education.
• Sensitivity to, understanding of, and respect for, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, cultural background, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty, and staff.

• An earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Five years experience in a senior administration role at a community college is preferred.
• An understanding of how to deliver an effective community college education in rural California.
• Experience or a demonstrated knowledge of how to deliver community college education in correctional facilities, preferably in California.

• Is student-centered; supports the comprehensive community college mission; understands the complexity of credit, noncredit/adult education and services and the competing priorities of transfer, career technical education, college-readiness skills, noncredit/adult education, and community services offerings; provides proactive and innovative ideas for addressing issues; recognizes and able to manage and support the complexities of delivering instruction and student services within correctional facilities serving the Rising Scholars student population.
• Knowledge of and leadership experience in higher education with a demonstrated understanding of the complex dynamics of a small rural district including efficient and streamlined processes and procedures in fiscal management, budgetary processes, strategic planning, human resources development, collective bargaining, curriculum and instruction, enrollment management, student services, facilities management, and fundraising.
• Has strong cultural competency and successful Diversity Equity Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) experience providing and guiding responsive services for students (including the unique needs of the Rising Scholar students), faculty, and staff and those from communities with historically marginalized identities. This includes, but is not limited to: differences in cultural, socio-economic, age, gender, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, and disability status.
• Understands, appreciates, and follows the principles of shared involvement in the decision- making process, effectively collaborating with stakeholder groups and enhancing a feeling of collegiality, transparency, and shared inquiry.
• Communicates expectations, delegates, and holds accountable the college executive leadership team.
• Provides leadership, support, and guidance for the elected board of trustees and assists them in working as a cohesive unit/team.
• Values student engagement beyond the classroom, including: student leadership development, student government, a student-friendly campus atmosphere, and a broad array of extracurricular activities that make for a rich, student-centered college.
• Understands the needs of the communities served by Palo Verde College and the need to be active and visible in the Blythe and Needles communities, building strong coalitions, working with leaders, local partner K12 school districts, local, state, and national governmental and public agencies, nonprofits and community service organizations, and increasing and enhancing philanthropic support and PVCCD’s positive image.
• Accesses and assimilates information and uses quantitative and qualitative data for decision making, planning, mobilizing resources, and motivating individuals to creatively overcome challenges facing the district and to make continuous improvements in operations, programming, procedures, and services.
• Knowledge of California and federal laws and regulations governing community colleges and accreditation requirements.

• Inclusive and approachable and enjoys, and works well with, all individuals and values their contributions to the college.
• Fair, empathetic, compassionate, kind, respectful.
• Ethical, honest, trustworthy.
• Inspirational.
• Aware of own cultural background and how it influences perceptions, values, and practices and effects and shapes the relationship to students and staff.
• Holds self, and others, accountable, admits mistakes and learns from them.
• Possesses strong communication skills, including: respectful and effective listening, encouragement of diverse opinions, ability to lead and facilitate decision-making within shared governance, mediation of conflict, and consensus building.
• Organized.
• Sense of humor.
• Strong, direct, yet open-minded, flexible, rational decision-maker.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Compensation is highly competitive, based on experience, qualifications, and negotiation of an employment agreement with the Board of Trustees.
• The District offers an attractive package of fringe benefits including medical, prescription, dental, vision, and life insurance.

LOCATION

Palo Verde College is located in the City of Blythe at one of the busiest entrance points to California.  The college is located in a desert oasis adjacent to the beautiful Colorado River and the Palo Verde Valley.  Blythe, and the fertile Palo Verde Valley, is primarily a farming  area.   Boating, fishing and hunting attract many tourists.  The Palo Verde Valley is centrally located between Phoenix and Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the Mexican border.  The valley’s great climate, with more than 350 days of sunshine and mild winters, attracts thousands of winter visitors every year.

• To be considered for the first screening, please submit application materials no later than Friday, January 26, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. The position is open until filled.
• Applicants must submit ALL required documents for the application package to be deemed complete. The application packet must contain experience implementing or overseeing programs or policies relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, preferably in a minority-serving institution such as a Hispanic Serving and/or Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, throughout the following:
  • Online Application
  • Cover letter not to exceed five (5) pages
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • College and/or university
• A list of eight (8) references (letters not required). There must be two references from each of the categories noted below. For each reference, please include a description of the professional relationship; mobile, work, and home phone numbers; and email addresses.
  • Two (2) administrators to whom the applicant has reported;
  • Two (2) administrators, managers, or directors who report to the applicant;
  • Two (2) classifies support staff who report to the applicant; and
  • Two (2) professional colleagues.

• The completed applications and supporting materials will be reviewed to ensure that the minimum requires qualifications stated in the job announcement are met.
• The screening committee will evaluate the applications to identify candidates who are able to most closely reflect in their submitted documents the Required/Desired qualifications and the Profession and Personal Leadership Qualities described in this position announcement. Candidates will be invited for an initial interview. Based on the interviews, the screening committee will identify and recommend finalists to the Board of Trustees.
• Public forums and final interviews with the Board of Trustees planned for March 2024.
• The appointment of the new Superintendent/President by the Board of Trustees is slated for May 2024 with the assumption of duties to begin on or about July 1, 2024.
• Complete confidentiality will be maintained until the screening committee recommends the finalists to the Board of Trustees. When the finalists are determined, they will be announced publicly.
• Media checks will be conducted prior to the first level interview and full-range reference checks will be conducted on the finalists prior to the reference checking process begins.
• Special Accommodations: If you are in need of special services or facilities due o a disability in order to apply or interview for this opening, please contact Elena Rodriguez from the office of Human Resources at 760.921.5447.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Our employment online application process is designed to assist the search committee in evaluating whether or not you possess the required knowledge and skills for the position for which you are applying.  Job-related information from all applicants will be evaluated to identify those best qualified.  Only the best-qualified applicants will be selected for testing and further consideration.  Therefore, the online application must be completed to allow a comprehensive review and evaluation.  Failure to complete the online application (and supplemental material, when required) will constitute failure to comply with the selection process and the application will be rejected.

• To guarantee consideration, a completed application and any other required material listed, must be submitted with the online application by the published closing date.
• Applications are only accepted for positions currently open for recruitment.
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee you an interview.
• Current employees who are applying for a position should be aware that material from their personnel files will not be included as part of the application packet, and they should provide information on past and present employment in the same degree of detail as any other candidate.
• Applicants wishing to apply for more than one position must submit a separate application and required materials for each position.
• Legible photocopies of documents will only be accepted.
• Travel costs related to the interview process will be borne solely by the candidate.
• Please read the job announcement/description carefully to ensure your background and education meet the requirements of the position
• The selection process may also include practical exercise (i.e., training demonstration and/or other written, technical manipulative, or simulation exercises), or skilled testing to evaluate candidates’ qualifications.
• Applicants with foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an Accredited United States Institution, please see the approved organizations listed in the following link: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl635.pdf?sfvrsn=bb4f6e6a_6 or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services: https://www.naces.org/

• Lisa Sugimoto, Ed.D - Vice President, PPL, INC.
  • 562.972.8983
  • lsugimoto@pplpros.com
• Benjamin Duran, Ed.D. - President, PPL, INC.
  • 209.761.0534
  • bduran@pplpros.com