Two weeks prior to the deadline to submit applications, the diversity of current applicants will be assessed. Upon review, if the pool does not include sufficient diversity at that time, the application window may be extended.
The Santa Clarita Community College District/College of the Canyons is seeking a full-time Director, Payroll Services in the Business Services Division.
Salary Placement:
This twelve (12) month per year position will be on an individual contract. This classified administrator position will be placed on Range 15 of the Administrator Salary Schedule. Step placement is based on experience. Initial salary step placement for new employees is customarily at step 1, 2, or 3 ( $11,993.00 / $12,172.00 / $12,355.00 per month) of this 20-step salary range.
All administrators are on an employment contract and exempt from overtime and compensatory time accumulation.
District Classified Administrator Benefits:
Full-time employees are provided with a diversified employee benefits program that includes sick time, vacation time, discretionary time, medical, dental and vision insurance including dependent coverage, disability, and life insurance as well as Section 125 options. These benefits commence on the first of the month following date of hire. Professional development and educational incentive opportunities are provided to all classified administrative employees.
Classified employees contribute to the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit retirement plan through the State of California.
Who We Are
The Santa Clarita Community District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As presented in our District Strategic Plan, which focuses on Access, Engagement, and Success, “Equity, inclusion, and diversity are not goals in themselves, but ideologies embedded in all actions and planning across all departments and functions of our college and its two campuses.” These areas of focus demonstrate a resolve to focus on student success and confirm that we are at the forefront of change with integrated planning efforts that both evolve and anticipate the needs of our students. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences — fostering healthy inclusion through inquiry, shared dialogue, and reflection to ensure that we promote a sense of community, collegiality, and cooperation. When you join our team at the Santa Clarita Community College District, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, creative, flexible, innovative and equity-focused community that engages students, each other, and the community in scholarly inquiry, creative partnerships, and the application of knowledge and success.
Who We Want
We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate must be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students, and community partners who share our commitment to closing equity gaps. The Santa Clarita Community College District seeks leaders possessing a strong grounding in academic and student services programs and a thorough understanding of the primary mission of the community college. We seek employees that value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, who are conscientious risk takers and transformational leaders guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.
Under the direction of the Vice President, Business Services, the Director, Payroll Services is responsible for comprehensive and complex functions of the Payroll Services Office, including planning, organizing and directing the operation and activities of District payroll, while assuring compliance with applicable legal requirements, including Federal, State, County and District policies, and providing strategic leadership for payroll operations, including process improvement, systems optimization, and alignment with District financial and human resources objectives.
Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of background fingerprint clearance, pre-employment physical examination (disabilities not related to the physical job will not affect the application process) and TB screening.
Proof of eligibility to work in the United States and signing of loyalty oath per government codes 3100-3109.
Meeting applicable eligibility requirements under CalPERS or CalSTRS if you are a current or former member.
Board of Trustees approval.
Official, sealed transcripts are required upon offer of employment.
Ability to maintain a flexible work week with hours that may vary.
Position is contingent upon funding and is subject to change.
OTHER POSITION SPECIFIC CONDITIONS:
Due to the nature of the workload cycle in the department, use of vacation and discretionary days will be limited each year from June 1 through August 31 due to fiscal year end close activities. Payroll is a bi-weekly process with limited flexibility three (3) days, every two (2) weeks. Use of vacation and discretionary days will also be limited during fiscal audit periods. Prior approval of vacation and discretionary days is required. The normal hours of work for this 12-month Classified Management position will be 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. However, some flexibility such as evenings and weekends will be required to meet the needs of the department.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Santa Clarita Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Santa Clarita Community College District is committed to employing qualified employees who are dedicated to student learning and success. The Board recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students. The Board is committed to hiring and staff development processes that support the goals of equal opportunity and diversity and provide consideration for all qualified candidates. The District does not unlawfully discriminate in providing educational or employment opportunities to any person on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law or on the basis of these perceived characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Applicants who have disabilities may request that accommodations be made in order to complete the selection process by contacting the Human Resources office directly at (661) 362-3427.
About the District:
Why Work at College of the Canyons?
College of the Canyons (COC) is a nationally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution located in Santa Clarita, California, and is dedicated to fostering student success in a dynamic and inclusive environment. Serving over 37,000 students across two campuses, COC offers more than 275 degree and certificate programs and is known for its strong transfer pathways, award-winning workforce programs, and innovative initiatives like Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC) and the Canyons Promise program, which provides two years of free education for new full-time students. As a regional leader in innovation, equity, and community engagement, the college partners with over 100 organizations and has secured millions in grants and workforce development funding. Its students regularly transfer to top UC schools, win national scholarships, and contribute to projects reaching as far as NASA. With new facilities like the Takeda Science Center, an Intercultural Center, and robust University Center partnerships offering bachelor’s and graduate degrees, COC continues to grow its impact. Faculty and staff are driven by a shared commitment to teaching excellence, respect, creativity, and meaningful community connections, all in a vibrant Southern California setting.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications online. Please visit our website athttp://www.canyons.edu/administration/humanresources. If you require assistance, please call the Human Resources office at (661) 362-3427 or for the hearing-impaired TTY/TDD Line at (661) 362-5178. Applicants may check the status of their application online and may expect to be notified within approximately 4 - 5 weeks following the Review Date as to the status of their application.
All application materials must be uploaded online or received in the Human Resources office by the end of the day on the review date in order to assure consideration for this position. Postmark is not acceptable for this purpose. Separate application materials must be submitted for each position applied for. Materials submitted become property of the District and will not be returned, copied, or considered for other openings. The Human Resources office is located in the University Center, Suite 360 at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA, 91355.
The following application materials are required for your application to be complete:
-
Online District CLASSIFIED Application form.
-
Current detailed resume, summarizing education and experience. Please include month/year dates of employment and descriptions of responsibilities at each employer.
-
Letter of interest (cover letter). In your letter, please address your qualifications and experience as they pertain to the job duties, the demonstrated knowledge, and the abilities section of this announcement. Provide specific details and examples of your direct experience in achieving the list of minimum and desirable requirements for this position.
-
Copies of complete and legible college transcripts clearly indicating all college units earned and any degree awarded. Copies of diplomas are not acceptable in lieu of college transcripts. You can submit unofficial copies of transcripts for application purposes. Official, sealed transcripts are required upon offer of employment. Please see our website for the requirements for evaluation of transcripts from foreign colleges or universities.
-
Confidential Recruitment Source Information(Voluntary Survey). This is voluntary and is part of the online applicant profile separate from the application.
-
Supplemental Questionnaire. Please provide detailed answers to the following questions as part of your application packet.
-
Do you possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in business administration, accounting, or a related field? (yes/no) If yes, please provide a legible copy of your college/university transcript in your application packet. Copies of diplomas are not acceptable in lieu of college transcripts.
-
Describe your work experience in payroll and benefits, including your roles and progression of responsibilities. Include employer name(s), position title(s), dates of employment, full-time or part-time status (hours per week). Please provide your total years of full-time equivalent experience in payroll and benefits and describe the scope, complexity, and volume of payroll operations you have managed (e.g., number of employees, multiple bargaining units, or public sector environments).
-
Please describe any experience you may have working in an educational institution, especially a community college setting or in a public sector organization with complex payroll regulations and reporting requirements.
-
Please describe your supervisory/management experience, including your experience in training and evaluating the performance of your staff, leading teams through change, and implementing process improvements.
-
Please describe your experience working with an administrative computer information management system (such as Datatel, Colleague, Banner, or PeopleSoft) or a proprietary system including any experience with ERP system implementations, upgrades, integrations, reporting tools, or automation of payroll processes.
-
Describe your experience ensuring compliance with federal and California payroll laws and regulations, including but not limited to IRS requirements, FLSA, CalPERS, CalSTRS, wage garnishments, and collective bargaining agreements. Provide specific examples of how you ensured compliance or addressed complex issues.
-
Describe your experience working collaboratively with Human Resources, Budget, and/or Finance departments. How have you ensured alignment between payroll, benefits, and employee data and fiscal systems?
-
Please describe your ability to work successfully in a multicultural environment.
-
Why do you want to work as the “Director, Payroll Services” at College of the Canyons and how does your experience align with serving a diverse community college environment?
Letters of Reference are optional
Please note:
-
Skills evaluation of candidates for interview may be required.
-
Travel and relocation expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.
-
Hiring committees review all complete, qualified application packets. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview.
-
A presentation may be required for those candidates selected for an initial interview.
-
“Experience” generally refers to relevant paid experience. In some instances, unpaid experience may be counted as experience towards meeting the minimum qualifications or requirements for the position only if it entailed responsibilities substantially similar to those of relevant paid positions in the field. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide sufficient information and details to the Human Resources office at the time of submission of their application packet. Details should include the organization, contact name, and contact information, start and end dates, hours per week, and a list of relevant unpaid/volunteer duties or responsibilities performed. Not all unpaid experience may qualify. Upon offer of employment, an applicant will be required to obtain written verification(s) of any relevant unpaid/volunteer experience.
-
Current COC employees who are applying for this position: Please be aware that materials from your personnel file are not included as part of the application file; therefore, please provide the same requested application materials as any other applicant.
-
Please be aware that, should you be considered as a finalist for this position, reference checks will include current supervisor(s).
-
Applicants are encouraged to apply online. If you need assistance with the application process, contact:
Human Resources Office
(661) 362-3427
TTY/TDD (661) 362-5178 or visit our website at
www.canyons.edu/administration/humanresources
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all application materials are fully and correctly submitted. All materials submitted are for this position only and become the property of the District. Materials will not be returned, copied, or considered for other openings. Resumes may not be submitted in lieu of the official application form.
Interviews may be conducted in-person or remotely via Zoom.
This Director will be working on the Valencia campus. This is not a remote position.
The College is expecting to conduct initial interviews between the weeks of October 12, 2026, and October 19, 2026, conduct final interviews between the weeks of October 19, 2026, and October 26, 2026. This is an estimated timeline and is subject to change.
Positions are offered contingent on funding. We reserve the right to withdraw, extend the filing date, reopen, or delay filling this position. Recruitment may continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may be used for future vacancies.
