California Code, Education Code - EDC § 87001

(a) Academic employee”  1 refers to a person employed by a community college district in an academic position.

(b) “Academic position” includes every type of service, excluding paraprofessional service, for which minimum qualifications have been established by the board of governors pursuant to Section 87356.

(c) Wherever in this code or any other code, the term “certificated employee” or any similar term is used in reference to community college employees, it shall be deemed a reference to academic employees of the community colleges.

(d) Wherever in this code or any other code, the phrase “position requiring certification qualifications,” or any similar phrase is used in reference to positions in the community colleges, it shall be deemed a reference to academic positions in the community colleges. Nothing in this part shall be construed as repealing or negating any provisions in this code or any other code concerning employees of community college districts for purposes of retirement benefits under the State Teachers' Retirement System by referring to those employees as academic employees.