Job Description

Compensation

$80,080.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm EST on June 15, 2025.

Santa Fe College is seeking an Academic Chair for Construction and Technical Programs. The Chair provides leadership, direction and support to the academic department by facilitating the operational functions; providing a vision for the department and articulating college goals; coordinating the review of curriculum and assessment of student learning and engagement; providing management and allocation of financial resources; recruitment, development, retention and scheduling of faculty and staff; accepting responsibility for reporting, compliance, and other accountabilities while creating an effective working environment that encourages scholarly and creative activities in the pursuit of excellence in teaching leading to outstanding educational programs.

This position is responsible for leading a complex, multidisciplinary department that includes construction management, automotive and diesel technology, advanced manufacturing, and trades certificates and apprenticeships (Building Maintenance, Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding). The chair leads department planning efforts, secures program resources, ensures that programs meet accreditation standards; creates and manages course schedules; optimizes enrollment; resolves student concerns; acts as a liaison to industry partners and affiliates, promotes programs in the community, completes faculty and staff performance reviews, and supports College initiatives.

The Chair must be an advocate of faculty and a representative of the administration, serving as a consensus builder while providing an open forum for faculty, staff and students.

The starting salary is $80,080. Any salary amount above this is commensurate upon an individual's qualifications.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Under the guidance of the AVP and Provost, develops and articulates the vision and goals of the department in the context of the colleges mission, values and goals congruent to the strategic plan.
• Supervises the Associate Director, program leads, faculty, and department staff.
• Conducts regular department meetings and is responsible for ensuring timely communication of college information with direct reports.
• Oversees credit and clock-hour programs, including university, apprenticeship, and dual enrollment partnerships, and ensures compliance with state requirements and accreditation standards.
• Provides leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of institutional learning outcomes and issues, curriculum improvement and assessment of student learning.
• Creates and manages course schedules to optimize enrollment and student success.
• Recruits, develops, schedules, and evaluates full- and part-time faculty and staff.
• Analyzes the departments needs both short- and long-term for space utilization and resources for supplies, equipment, and capital items; makes requests accordingly.
• Manages department budgets, resources, and specialized facilities efficiently.
• Oversees department purchases and expenditures in accordance with college policies and procedures.
• Applies for, secures, and manages grants for the program.
• Addresses all student concerns in a professional and timely manner and assists with program-specific advisement.
• Fosters and promotes a positive, inclusive, and professional culture of open communication and service excellence.
• Champions faculty needs while implementing college initiatives.
• Develops and maintains policies, procedures, and handbooks for successful operations.
• Prepares internal and external reports.
• Participates in and supports student recruitment activities and enrollment management.
• Builds and maintains industry partnerships and serves as liaison to advisory boards and community partners.
• Maintains currency in subject matter knowledge, certifications, and techniques.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs (CTE)

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

A masters degree and at least five (5) years of combined full-time experience in both teaching and working in one of the departments affiliated industries. Leadership and/or management experience is also required. To meet accreditation requirements, the Chair must hold the credentials necessary to teach in at least one (1) of the disciplines within the department (see Faculty Credentialing Manual).

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted.

Preferred:

At least two (2) years of full-time teaching experience and two (2) years of full-time industry experience.

General Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.
• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyze information, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures, collect and interpret data, reason logically, establish facts, identify and define existing and potential issues, recognize the interrelationships among elements, draw valid conclusions, develop recommendations, as well as alternative courses of action, select appropriate course, follow up, and evaluate.
• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.
• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.
• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.
• Leadership – has demonstrated success as an entrepreneurial, high energy, driven, hands-on leader. Possess expertise in selecting, training, developing, coaching, mentoring, and retaining a highly motivated workforce.
• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.
• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.
• Team Orientation & Interpersonal — highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.
• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.
• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.