Program Manager, Transition to Independent Living Program (LIFE)

Under the direction of the Dean of Student Services and the Dean of Career, Continuing & Technical Education, the Program Manager, Transition to Independent Living Program will be responsible to develop, plan, implement and administer the Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) and train, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.

Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff and students and values the rich diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. The Program Manager must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities, sexual orientation, individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups to ensure the district provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The TIL program will meet an urgent local need to provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the opportunity to integrate into the mainstream economy and maintain an independent lifestyle by completing a planned educational pathway and securing employment. Program planning is underway, TIL is a post-secondary educational cohort experience for adults with IDD that provides instruction, training, and support on a community college campus. The program is comprehensive, with curriculum and training that promotes acquisition of the functional, social, and career skills necessary for students to live a productive lifestyle. TIL will work collaboratively with other service providers and employers in the region to provide a seamless pathway from education to employment.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@sierracollege.edu .

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. 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.

1. Formulate and make recommendations to the college’s executive team regarding all aspects of the TIL program, including strategic goals and planning, program priorities, and resource needs. Program goals include intake assessments and progress planning for students with the ultimate goal of gainful employment at the completion of the program.

2. Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, such as K12 partners, employers and IDD service providers. In consultation with key stakeholders, establish the TIL Program goals and objectives, both short and long term.

3. Serve as liaison for the Program’s external partners, including coordinating with Regional Centers throughout the state to ensure continued Program funding.

4. In partnership with employers and external and internal service providers, develop and implement employment placement plan for program participants and completers.

5. Maintain current knowledge of a variety of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and District policies and requirements, including licensing related to students with Autism and intellectual disabilities. Analyze, interpret and appropriately apply to assure compliance.

6. Engage program staff in collaborative processes to achieve goals related to creating a culture of equity and assessment including inquiry, reflection, and ongoing improvement.

7. Serve on college committees, attend meetings and conferences, including making presentations and coordinating activities with external groups (local, state and national level) as required to represent and move towards meeting the goals and objectives of the TIL Program.

8. Work with the Sierra College Foundation in Program fundraising events and activities.

9. Conduct an annual search of and apply for grant opportunities which will benefit the Program.

10. Act as primary contact person in situations that require administrative leadership outside of regular program time.

11. Establish and implement the weekend “On-Call” list of employees.

12. Plan and/or facilitate professional development activities for employers, internal stakeholders and program faculty.

13. Facilitate and organize Program events.

14. Plan objectives within timelines to meet the Program goals.

15. Provide leadership and coordination in the development, implementation and monitoring of all aspects of the Program’s instructional goals; assist faculty and staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of student learning outcomes and other Program instructional performance goals.

16. Work closely with program faculty and the Curriculum Committee to assure compliance with curriculum development and approval requirements.

17. Work closely with Program staff in evaluation activities to assure that the Program is annually assessed for appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency for both the instructional, community or center based setting and business components of the Program.

18. Ensure implementation of program evaluation system with resulting management reports and corrective action as necessary.

19. Assure that all student records and reports are properly documented, maintained, and filed according to required standards.

20. Work cooperatively with community referral agencies in meeting the student’s individual case plan.

21. Maintain health and safety standards in Program areas, including general safety, medical and nutritional programs, universal health precautions, emergency procedures, preventative maintenance, and facility cleanliness.

22. Responsible for inventory of all Program equipment and materials.

23. Facilitate the resolution of staff and student concerns through due process and appropriate Program and District policies and procedures.

24. Orient, train, supervise, advise and annually evaluate the performance of Program staff to assure efficient and effective performance; develop expectations for performance and standards of excellence.

25. Prepare and assure submission of comprehensive reports as necessary for Program needs and requirements.

26. Prepare and maintain the annual budget for the program.

27. Performs other related duties as required.

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/Training:

Bachelors Degree in any subject.

Experience:

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience.

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.

Knowledge of:

• Licensing related to students with Autism and intellectual disabilities.
• Principles of business performance assessment; methods and techniques of customized curriculum development and training.
• Current technology, workforce and business trends.
• Marketing concepts, principles, and techniques.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of record keeping, data collection, and reporting.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of facilitating small group processes for resolving problems and optimizing actions with diverse groups.
• Office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software.
• Methods to successfully support individuals with varying backgrounds, which includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities, sexual orientation, individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups.

Ability to:

• Ability to develop rapport with students who have intellectual disabilities.
• Willingness to assist students and promote good relationships.
• Fairness and firmness in performing duties.
• Ability to use tack and good judgment in decisions regarding students.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures to achieve project goals.
• Understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies.
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports and program proposals.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Speak in public and make presentations to small and large groups.
• Interact and work effectively with a diverse population utilizing exceptional interpersonal and intercultural skills.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Effectively represent the District to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the program.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, officials and agencies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Approach all duties of the position with an equity-minded perspective that supports and promotes inclusion and diversity.
• Exercise sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supportive software.

Physical Demands 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 a standard office setting.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

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

WHY SIERRA?

• One of Aspen Institute’s Top 150 Community Colleges in the nation
• The Accrediting Commission recognized Sierra “for its exemplary practice of providing personnel with opportunities for continued professional development in order to meet its mission.” This includes providing students and employees with a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our students, etc.
• Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
• 18 paid holidays (including extended time off during the winter break)
• 22 accrued paid vacation days per year
• Competitive benefits package
• Currently during summers, some employee groups participate in 4x10 schedules
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (in most cases)

Sierra College is a Community College located near Sacramento, California where a heavy emphasis is placed on academic excellence and student success. Since its founding in 1936, Sierra College has focused on quality instruction and meeting the evolving needs of the students and communities that it serves. The Sierra Community College District covers more than 3,200 square miles and serves the Northern California foothill counties of Placer and Nevada, as well as parts of El Dorado and Sacramento. We serve over 17,000 students throughout the region in both on-ground and online courses, including students at our main Rocklin Campus as well as at two centers located in Grass Valley and Tahoe/Truckee. Our District prides itself on academic excellence.

Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the rich, diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups. Our District is committed to providing strategies for success and proactive student-centered practices and policies focused on eliminating equity gaps to ensure the District provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.

As an institution, Sierra College is committed to eliminating the equity gap in all student populations with dynamic, learner-centered practices and policies that fully engage the college community. The ideal candidate will share the College’s commitment to helping its racially and socioeconomically diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives. Currently, Sierra College enrolls 17,800 students per term, where approximately: 23% of Sierra College’s students are Latin(o)(a)(x)(e), 3% are African-American/Black, 2% are Filipino, 6% are Asian, 1% are American Indian/Alaskan Native, 8% are Multiethnic and 55% are White.

The successful candidate will join a College dedicated to the use of culturally responsive strategies and methods that meet the varying needs of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. Sierra College demonstrates its commitment to equity by supporting ongoing professional development for students, faculty, and staff. These opportunities include trainings and workshops on equity and inclusion, active Academic Senate standing committees concerned with student success and equity, a Presidential Equity Advisory Committee (PEAC), culturally responsive student engagement centers, support for our undocumented and AB540 students, campus-wide equity summits, a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our diverse students.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@sierracollege.edu .

Helpful Tip:

Please note that as described above a strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds; and therefore, hiring committees assess candidates for these knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applicants may want to consider incorporating culturally-inclusive/equity-minded strategies practiced and/or evidence of the responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of community college student populations throughout their application materials (including application and documents uploaded, if any).

Please see the Sierra College website for additional helpful tips and tools for prospective applicants .

Travel expenses may be partially reimbursed for candidates traveling beyond a 150 mile radius for second round interviews. All other travel expenses will be borne by the candidate (if in person interviews).

Key Information Regarding Our Hiring Process

Hiring Subject to Board of Trustees Approval

Please note that all new hires require approval from our Board of Trustees during one of their public meetings. Official hire dates will follow this approval. More information about the Board of Trustees and their meetings can be found at https://www.sierracollege.edu/administration/board-of-trustees/ .

H1B1 Visa Sponsorship Not Available

At this time, we do not offer H1B1 visa sponsorship for new employees.

Terms and Conditions of Employment:

Other terms and conditions of employment are specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreements on file in the District Human Resources Department. Position description of record on file in the Human Resources Department.

*Sierra Community College District currently operates campuses in Rocklin, Truckee and Grass Valley. In its management of a multi-campus environment, the District reserves right of assignment including the right to change assignment locations and shift assignments based on District need. Although this position may currently reside at the Rocklin campus, the assignment location may be subject to change as needed. Additionally, the district reserves the right to cancel, revise or re-announce this position as well as any and all positions at any time.

EEO / TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Sierra College is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination and the achievement of diversity and equity among its faculty, staff, and students.

Persons with inquiries about the application of Title IX and/or EEO may contact the Director of Diversity, EEO & Title IX (Title IX Coordinator) at the address below, at (916) 660-7006 or via email at EEOT9@sierracollege.edu .

Persons with questions regarding reasonable accommodation of physical and other disabilities should contact the Sierra College Human Resources Department at (916) 660-7105.

If you have limitations hearing or speaking, the State of California offers a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA) that can relay telephone conversations for all of your calls. Dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Dialing 711 is for everyone, not just those who have difficulty hearing on a standard phone. If you prefer having your calls immediately answered in your mode of communication, dial one of the toll-free modality and language-specific numbers below. The call will be routed to the CRS provider.

TTY/VCO/HCO to Voice

English 1-800-735-2929

Spanish 1-800-855-3000

Voice to TTY/VCO/HCO

English 1-800-735-2922

Spanish 1-800-855-3000

From or to Speech-to- Speech

English & Spanish 1-800-854-7784

Closing Date/Time: Mon, 26 Jan 2026

• 

• Sierra Community College District

• (916) 660-7100

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