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Job description
Federal Work-Study Student Assistant
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ACADEMIC YEAR: 2026 - 2027
Federal Work-Study, also referred to as FWS, is one of the three major federal student aid programs from the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide part-time employment to students who have established significant financial need according to federal guidelines. The federal government pays a percentage of the student's salary; the school pays the remainder. FWS is part of the total financial aid package and is not intended to be the sole source of assistance. Many students either seek a position related to their career objective or seek positions that offer skill development. In either case, the FWS Program is intended to provide a balance between the interests of the student and the needs of the department.
Orange Coast College's 164-acre campus is located in Costa Mesa, just minutes from Southern California's beautiful beaches, with its main campus in Costa Mesa and a campus in Newport Beach (Waterfront Campus). Orange Coast College (OCC) was founded in 1947 with the mission to serve the educational needs of a diverse local and global community. The College empowers students to achieve their goals by providing high-quality, culturally responsive, and innovative programs and services through pathways leading to degrees, transfers, certificates, foundational skills, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The College promotes student development, learning, and equitable outcomes by fostering a respectful, inclusive, caring, and participatory campus climate of student engagement and academic inquiry. Ideal candidates for this position will share OCC's dedication to transforming lives through education, with a strong commitment to serving a diverse and vibrant student population.
Orange Coast College (OCC) engages in a wide range of collaborative efforts aimed at fostering a culture of educational excellence and inclusivity. With a commitment to providing high-quality academic programs and student-centered support services, OCC creates an environment where all students can thrive. As a diverse and globally-minded institution, the college takes pride in initiatives that empower student communities by promoting cultural synergy across departments, including the Office of Student Equity, the Global Engagement Center, and the Multicultural Center.
OCC is a recognized leader in preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions and holds the prestigious designations of both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The college also boasts state-of-the-art facilities and is the first community college in Southern California to offer on-campus residential housing with over 300 apartment units, further enhancing the student experience.
The Coast Community College District is a multi-college district that includes Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College. The three colleges offer programs in transfer, general education, occupational/technical education, community services, and student support services. Coastline, Golden West, and Orange Coast colleges enroll more than 60,000 students each year in more than 300 degree and certificate programs. Since its founding in 1947, the Coast Community College District has enjoyed a reputation as one of the leading community college districts in the United States. The Coast Community College District values diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism by creating a culture of inclusive excellence that uplifts employees and students through an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible.
The Coast Community College District (Orange Coast College, Golden West College, and Coastline) continues to strengthen its efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism. Orange Coast College is focused on creating a culture of inclusive excellence by uplifting employees and students through an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible. We place strong emphasis on building an inclusive culture and atmosphere of belonging.
Ideal candidates for this position will share OCC's commitment to transforming lives through education and to serving a diverse and vibrant student and employee population.
About OCC Student Employment Program & Opportunities Student employment provides an opportunity to earn money and continue your education, train with people who manage the day-to-day business of the institution you attend, and combine your academic study with on-the-job experience. Job opportunities under this program offer you temporary employment with the Coast Community College District. Employment can range from summer jobs to positions that last as long as you are a student. These employment opportunities can be related to your academic field of study, but do not need to be. The Student Employment Program consists of opportunities available in one of these specific roles within the program:
General-Student Assistant
Federal Work-Study Student Assistant
CalWORKs Work-Study Student Assistant
Non-academic, non-classified Student Assistants are not part of the classified service. The Education Code prohibits the displacement of classified personnel and the impairment of existing contracts by either the employment of full-time or part-time students in any college work-study program or in a work experience education program. Student Assistants are at-will employees, have no entitlement rights to any position in the District, and are not benefits-eligible.
During the fall and spring semesters, Student Assistants may work up to 19.5 hours per week.
During the Winter Intercession and Summer (June–August), when students are enrolled in classes, Student Assistants may work up to 28 hours per week. If students are not enrolled in classes, Student Assistants may work up to 40 hours per week.
When there are no classes in session (i.e., spring break or between sessions), Student Assistants may work up to 40 hours per week.
A student assistant works in a particular department of the college or the district site and has job responsibilities specifically designed for a student as non-classified job responsibilities. Student Assistants perform duties from unskilled to skilled and/or specialized in a variety of positions that typically require the use of manual, clerical, and public contact. The nature of the job may vary from department to department. Assignments have limited use of discretion and judgment. Work is regularly reviewed and may entail detailed instructions. Student Assistant job assignments take into account the class timings and exam schedule of the student and are more flexible than off-campus jobs. Student assistants have a wide variety of choices and can choose assignments in a department that align with their academic and career goals and interests, as available. Accordingly, the duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the nature of the assignment. Duties will be determined based on the needs of the position in the respective department.
Representative Duties: Specific job duties are defined by the appropriate Division and/or Department. Considerable training may occur on the job.
Student Assistant I – Entry level/Semi-skilled: Work is under immediate supervision (methods of performing tasks are well established and explained in specific terms). Work assignments typically involve standardized duties that are of a routine and repetitive nature. Work assignments may include the use of special equipment, software applications, or tools per an established procedure. The supervisor has responsibility for the assignment of work, the flow of work, production level, and provision of proper instructions.
Student Assistant II – Intermediate/Advanced: Work is under general supervision (work objectives are set but methods of performing tasks are left up to the employee) with specialized training done on the job. Work assignments are varied and less routine and involve a moderate degree of responsibility. Work assignments may involve access to and use of sophisticated data systems and confidential information for which considerable training is required. The supervisor has responsibility for the assignment of work, however, there is less control exercised over the flow of work and the instruction given is more general. Jobs may require moderate independent judgment, analysis, and decision-making skills; must have a minimum of one year of experience in the same student assistant assignment.
Student Assistant III – Specialist/Lead: Work is under general supervision (work objectives are set but methods of performing tasks are left up to the employee). Work assignments involve a broad variety of skills and/or tasks for which considerable training is required. Jobs require the application of considerable independent judgment and decision-making. Students at this level may have the responsibility to direct the work of lower-level student employees; must have a minimum of two years of experience in the same student assistant assignment.
Qualifications and Physical Demands
Education and Experience:
Student Assistant I: Little or no prior experience or education required
Student Assistant II: Some previous knowledge, experience, or education required
Student Assistant III: Prior experience, education, or specialized skills required
Skills and Competencies
Skills required to perform job assignments.
Depending on the Student Assistant level and specific job assignment, jobs require limited independent judgment and decision-making.
Ability to balance work and studies.
Qualifications:
Students must be enrolled in classes for the current semester and have been awarded federal work
Worksite address
costa mesa, CA, 92626, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.