Frequently Asked Questions

The online application portal is located at cod.peopleadmin.com

We accept only online applications, be sure to attach any required documents in order for your application to be complete.

If you would like to be considered for any position, you must submit a separate application with the required attachments. One application will not suffice for multiple positions.

Yes, you must fill out the application completely. The application often asks for information that is more specific and filling it out completely allows those reviewing a clearer scope of your education and experience.

We suggest that you only upload Word (.doc) or Acrobat (.pdf) files for your application submissions. Each of these file types are easily reviewed by our Search Committee, making your qualifications easy to open!

A professional reference is a person we are able to contact to provide information on your qualifications for a position. This could be a previous co-worker, client, or supervisor. Please provide full name, title/how you know the them, email, and current phone numbers for all professional references. Please note, friends and family members are not considered professional references.

Please ensure you have the correct number of references listed in this section. The specific amount of references each posting requires will be listed in the “Special Instructions” section, towards the top of the posting and in the body of the description. Typically, this will be a minimum of 5 references for part-time positions and a minimum of 6 references for full-time positions. Please ensure you have the required number of references, along with their full name, title, type of reference (colleague, supervisor, etc.), email, and current phone numbers for all professional references.

If the application requires transcripts, you must submit them. These can be official or unofficial. The Office of Human Resources does not have access to your student records; as such, you must submit your College of the Desert transcripts. If you do not submit required transcripts, your application will be incomplete.

Yes, even if you are already work at College of the Desert, you must submit transcripts for your application to be considered complete. You are welcome to contact our office to get your transcripts scanned to you for application submittal. Please request with sufficient time and be aware of our operating hours.

Regular Hours:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Summer Hours:

Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

All transcripts must be submitted at the time an application is submitted. If we do not have transcripts once the position is closed, it will be considered incomplete and not moved forward for review.

Your transcripts do not need to be official. However, the copy of the transcript or the academic record must show the name of the accredited institution, degree awarded, discipline, and date awarded. If your transcripts do not show the information needed, we cannot verify educational minimum qualifications.

All transcripts must be submitted by the applicant. The Office of Human Resources will not request transcripts as it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide them in order to be considered for the position.

Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts. If you only submit a diploma, your application will be considered incomplete.

Individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees, and other relevant documents. A foreign transcript evaluation and the corresponding foreign transcripts are required any time foreign course work is used to meet minimum qualifications and/or salary placement, even if the foreign transcript has previously been accepted by a different college or university in the United States. If this is not provided, the application will be considered incomplete.

The following organizations provide foreign transcript evaluation services and charge a fee. College of the Desert does not promote or approve any of these agencies. This list is provided only for reference.

All job postings will have a set of “Required Documents Needed to Apply”. If you do not attach one or more of the required documents, it will be considered incomplete.

Examples of the required documents include:

• Resume: Must include length of employment (month/year start & end dates) for each employer. If there are no dates on your resume it may be declined because we will be unable to verify minimum qualifications.
• Cover Letter: Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.
• Unofficial or Official Transcripts: Must be from an accredited institution, show name of institution, degree awarded, discipline, and date awarded. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.
• Professional References (added to your application): References should include at least two supervisors and two colleagues. Please include name, title, email, and current phone numbers for all references in your application. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of the required addition of Professional References. Professional references are people you have worked with prior and should not include friends or family members.
• Equivalency: Your equivalency request was incomplete or not submitted.
• Foreign Transcript Equivalency: Documents were missing or incomplete.

If the position is still open, you may resubmit your application and materials. You will need to contact our main office line at 760.773.2529 to have your application reactivated to make any changes.

If the position is closed, you may no longer make changes.

The Office of Human Resources cannot identify whether you meet minimum qualifications prior to the recruitment process. Each position lists the minimum qualifications and you can determine if you have the associated experience and education.

Each recruitment has a timeline, it is subject to change based on District need.

A committee will begin reviewing applications once the position closes. Afterward, they will decide which applicants will move forward to interview. You will be notified via email if selected or not selected for interview. This process may take several weeks after the closing date. You are welcome to check the status of your application at any time in your applicant account on cod.peopleadmin.com.

If a position has no closing date, there may not be recruitment dates set at the time of position posting. For most part-time instructor positions, the position is opened to create a pool of applicants and there may not be an immediate departmental need.

Our office receives a high volume of applications for each position. Committees screen a high number of applicants who all qualify for a position and often have above what the minimum qualification requires. There may not be a specific reason you were not selected for interview outside of the having to compete with a large number of well-qualified applicants.