Dental Hygiene Program Technician
Priority Application Deadline: June 10, 2026
DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine, technical, specialized and complex clerical duties such as record keeping, financial accounting, assisting in budget preparation and maintenance, maintaining confidential information, completing state reports, overseeing daily office operations. Performs related duties as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
Employees in this class have responsibility to assist the director of the program with the daily operations such as budget and is a liaison for the program working with students, staff, parents and regulatory agencies. Keeps current on information regarding state and federal regulations and compliance laws.
Has high degree of accountability.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in the classification, however, employees may perform other related duties not listed and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each employee.
Administrative and Office Support
- Performs a variety of complex secretarial and clerical duties such as data entry maintaining records, filing, processing and pick up mail/packages from bookstore; distributing mail and ordering, maintaining office supplies, purchase orders and maintenance of office equipment.
- Assist the Dental Hygiene Department in general office work, such as correspondence, reports, purchase orders, etc.
- Assists Director in the preparation and maintenance of program budgets including changes throughout the fiscal year.
- Research and order dental equipment for the Dental Hygiene Department.
- Assists Director in confidential student, staff and/or program related matters.
- Provides information and assistance to callers, takes messages and/or routes to appropriate personnel.
- Greets and assists visitors.
- Provides information and assistance to faculty, staff, students and the public regarding the program.
- Assist faculty in submission of absence reports and travel requests.
- Attends meetings as assigned and provides administrative staff support.
- Serve as the contact person for the Dental Hygiene Department in the absence of the Dental Hygiene Director.
Records, Compliance and Program Documentation
- Maintains confidential student and faculty data files for program Responsible for the tracking and logging of the Dental Hygiene students records such as immunizations, CPR, and liability insurance.
- Develops and maintains standard program documents such as forms and flyers.
- Track DHBC requirements for student graduation and licensure.
- Assists in preparation of data to the state and federal agencies to maintain licensure, certifications and accreditation.
- Assist Director with preparation of accreditation documents.
Student and Program Support
- Contacts successful student applicants and maintains alternate student list.
- Assist students in navigating college procedures.
- Provide professional information and assistance to students in person, by telephone, email or regular mail regarding the Dental Hygiene Program.
- Serves as a liaison and resource for internal and external services under basic needs.
- Assists director in development of materials for annual new student orientation.
- Student Worker and Clinic Support
- Supervise student workers.
- Assist and advise student workers in the department.
- Track and record production of treatment procedures completed by students in clinic for annual reporting.
- Track student clinic vouchers used for patient appointments.
Technology and Software Support
- Provide computer support to faculty, students, and staff.
- Assists faculty with webinar set-ups for classroom instruction/student meetings.
- Receives, prioritizes, and responds to internal requests, incoming calls, and/or emails regarding routine hardware and software problems.
- Provides hands-on training to students and faculty in the use of Dexis radiology hardware/software and Dentrix Patient Management software.
- Troubleshoot supply issues/orders with 3rd party vendors and assist with call tracking as needed.
- Manage and maintain vendor contacts, partnerships and relationships related to the implementation and support of Dental Hygiene’s network and system infrastructure.
- Assist with management of dental operating systems, hardware and software, using standard business and administrative packages; may modify specific applications.
- Researches, troubleshoots and solves routine issues with classroom computer systems, including dental hardware and software, e-mail, MS office applications.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with students/staff/ faculty, vendors, administrators. Acts as a technical resource in assisting users to resolve problems with equipment.
- Works IT department staff to support effective computer processes used by students (i.e., group policies, login scripts, roaming profiles, etc.) to provide access to resources and determine the behavior (profile) of all computers used in Dental Hygiene.
- Create and distribute login IDs for dental hygiene faculty, staff, and students for patient management software in compliance with HIPAA.
Outreach, Communication and Events
- Coordinate with faculty and Bookstore Manager to confirm textbook additions and revisions.
- Manage and update social media platforms for program promotion, assist with maintenance of program website.
- Supports program specific special events such as pinning ceremony through food and location reservations, program design and print, and other misc. tasks.
Other Related Duties
- Performs other related duties as requested or assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Personal:
- Ability and desire to work cordially and effectively with students, staff, faculty and the general public.
- Show initiative, poise, good judgment and tact.
- Oriented in customer service.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Detail oriented.
- Dependable in attendance and punctuality.
- Flexible in assuming other assignments as the need arises.
- Possess the sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, faculty and the general public.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of dental hygiene.
- Effective methods of working with the public.
- Effective written and oral skills.
- Basic research and evaluation methods.
- Computer applications such as Word, Excel, e-mail, and internet browsers.
- Basic filing methods.
- Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
- General secretarial skills and techniques.
- Organizational and prioritization skills.
- Accurate recordkeeping operations and guidelines.
- Knowledge of math procedures for computation purposes.
- Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
- Record keeping techniques.
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
- Telephone techniques and etiquette.
Ability to:
- Perform receptionist and clerical duties.
- Provide information in a clear and understandable manner.
- Work independently with constant interruptions.
- Provide good customer service.
- Learn office policies, rules and practices.
- Understand and follow oral and written directions.
- Meet schedules and timelines.
- Maintain records and prepare accurate reports.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain cordial, cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
- Learn District processes and procedures, rules, laws and regulations.
- Learn District programs and services offered to students.
- Read and interpret and maintain currency of knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
- Be efficient and well organized.
- Enter and retrieve computer information accurately.
- Keep files current, accurate and in order.
- Comply with requested data, reports, and fiscal operations.
- Be a program advocate.
- Understand admission requirements and maintain list of accepted students.
Physical Requirements:
Work is performed in an office environment and in the classrooms and laboratories of the Dental Hygiene Program serving a diverse student population with an emphasis on student success.
- Vision sufficient to read documents and computer terminal displays.
- Speech and hearing to communicate in person or by telephone.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to use a variety of office equipment, computer keyboards and to handle paper.
- Sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds frequently.
- Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to push or pull carts, bins, or equipment weighing up to 75 pounds with the use of appropriate equipment.
- Ability to bend and reach to retrieve and file supplies, equipment and documents.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for candidates and employees with physical disabilities
Minimum Qualifications:
Operate a variety of office equipment including a copier, scanner, fax machine, computer and assigned software.
High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of front office dental experience or related administrative assistant experience.
Desirable Qualifications:
Associate degree or equivalent
Salary Information:
This is a part-time, 12-month per year position. Assignments are typically 28 hours per week. Hours may change throughout the year to accomodate clinic demand. May require evening, over-time, holiday or weekend hours throughout the year. Work is generally performed indoors.
This position is Grade 24 on the Classified Salary Schedule, with a starting hourly range of $29.11-$32.09 per hour.
Ready to jump in? Follow these simple steps to submit your application:
- Completed your online application and submit through https://www.taftcollege.edu/human-resources/job_opportunities/
- Resume and Cover Letter
- Transcripts for all degrees listed, Unofficial are acceptable at this time.
- Provide contact information for three professional references, including your most recent supervisor. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept letters of reference.
Next Steps:
Thank you for your interest in joining our team! After the closing date, all applications will be carefully reviewed and evaluated based on minimum qualifications and relevant experience. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for an interview. We look forward to learning more about how you can contribute to our mission and make an impact at Taft College!
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The West Kern Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity . The District is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination and, as such, is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This employer participates in E-Verify.
