"Dean of Social Sciences"

Job Description

Position Title

Dean of Social Sciences

Special Instructions to Applicants

Thank you for your interest in applying for the Dean of Social Sciences position at DVC! We are eager to learn about who you are and why you are passionate about working at our community college. We want to know what you are like as a colleague and member of a campus community.

The Dean of Social Sciences supervises multiple areas within the Social Sciences Interest Area: Administration of Justice, Anthropology, Early Childhood Education, Economics, Ethnic Studies, History, Journalism, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Science. Additionally, the Dean of Social Sciences oversees the Childrens Center, as well as the Social Sciences and English Student Center (along with the Dean of English and Equitable Pedagogies) which integrates student services and instruction to offer students wrap around services. The successful candidate will be responsible for helping the student-centered programs and services offered by the departments under the Deans supervision meet the needs of a diverse student population, comply with all state and federal regulations and comply with the budget goals of the college and the district. Additional responsibilities include schedule and enrollment management within the areas they supervise.

We are looking for someone who shares a strong commitment to social and racial justice and who is inspired to close equity gaps by recognizing, understanding, and respecting the perspectives of all students.

We strongly encourage those with historically marginalized and/or underrepresented identities to apply, including people of color, non-binary and transgender individuals, veterans, women, people with disabilities, and Indigenous people.

NOTE: New employees will be placed at the first step which is $145,488 per year, second step $152,856 per year or third step at $160,596 per year (depending upon experience). Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on annual basis, until the maximum step of $177,264 per year is reached on the salary schedule.

Our Vision for Social Justice

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers. Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.

The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the benefits of fully participating in our society and institutions.

Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first-generation families.

The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, so much so that we close our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.

If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education, please apply.

Recruitment Type:

Open (Internal and External applicants)

Location

Diablo Valley College

Posting Number

0002259

# of Openings

1

Range

M8

Salary

YEARLY: $145,488, step 1 - $177,264, step 5 (see special instructions for initial step placement)

Position Status

Permanent

Overtime Status

Exempt (not eligible)

Position

Full-Time

# of Hours Scheduled Per Week

40

Work Schedule By Day and Work Hours

Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

# of Months

12

EEO Job Category

Executive/Administrative/Managerial

Employee Group

Manager - Academic

Department

D4500-Social Science

Position Definition

Under administrative direction of a higher-level manager, oversees division(s) or areas of a college or District instructional, student and/or support services operation. Manages and evaluates assigned managers, supervisors, department chairs, faculty and staff, in conformance with appropriate policies and procedures. Carries out complex projects and special programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics

A Dean serves as a division/area administrator, overseeing the delivery of instructional, student or support services programs within a defined area or divisions. A Senior Dean can have multiple major programs reporting to the position and may supervise lower level Deans and administrators. The Executive Dean classification is reserved for the oversight of major college-wide or Districtwide programs, projects or large offcampus centers.

Examples of Duties/Essential Functions

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: Provides vision and leadership for a diverse, dynamic and innovative community of faculty, staff and students. Provides year-round leadership, management, participation and development of an instructional, student, and/or support services divisions day, evening, weekend, inter-session and summer programs. Assists in the hiring process of management, faculty and classified staff for assigned division or area and recommend personnel actions to supervisor. Assists in the training of assigned managers, supervisors, faculty and classified staff. Evaluates assigned managers, supervisors and classified staff. Assists in the evaluation of faculty. Organizes and manages the operation of the assigned division or area office; coordinates and administers its budget. In collaboration with faculty, develops curriculum, supports a variety of methods of instruction, including computer-assisted instruction and distance learning, and ensures course and program articulations are kept current. With division faculty, staff, and other administrators, manages the preparation of the class schedules, catalogs, brochures and other printed or electronic materials for the assigned division(s). Facilitates grant applications for assigned division or area, manages grants, and prepares required reports. Serves as liaison to other college divisions, areas and services, advisory committees, individual students and student groups, and appropriate university, school and other off-campus and community groups. Serves on college and district committees as assigned. Organizes, manages and participates in the annual planning and budgeting process in cooperation with managers, supervisors, faculty and classified staff and in concert with college goals for assigned division or area. Manages the approved annual budget for assigned area. Accurately interprets applicable laws, regulations and collective bargaining contract provisions. Responds to and seeks resolution of complaints arising from division/area activities, including participating in the process of collective bargaining contract grievances. Provides leadership for and assists with departmental program reviews. Assists in accreditation process. Supports a climate that promotes innovation and improved service to students and the community; cooperates with area staff and other managers to develop processes that are student friendly and supportive of student success. Manages and participates in the continued evaluation and improvement of the assigned areas instructional, student, and/or support services programs. Promotes the assessment of student outcomes in order to determine the effectiveness of student learning and student development programs in the area. Assists in the coordination of area programs with those of other institutions and in the development of partnerships with external agencies. Actively participates in and supports college and District shared governance components and activities and other collaborative processes. Employs appropriate techniques and strategies to resolve disputes and to enhance communication and cooperation among the members of the college and District communities. Interpret and analyze appropriate laws, policies, rules and procedures to determine impact on assigned instructional or student services division or program area and oversee compliance and reporting strategies. Travels throughout the District in carrying out responsibilities and functions. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification-Education/Experience

EDUCATION:
Earned masters degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to at least three (3) years of full-time instructional, student, and/or other relevant support services experience. Equivalent to one years experience in a lead role such as a department chair, etc.

License/Certification: Ability to obtain a valid Class C California Drivers License.

Minimum Qualification-Knowledge Of

Computer-based technology for management of assigned divisions/areas and for instructional, student, and/or support services; the goals of shared governance; principles and practices of administrative organization and management, planning, supervising and evaluating the work of others, employee motivation and training; applicable federal, state, local, District and college laws, rules and regulations, and collective bargaining contract provisions; complex business level English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; modern office tools such as computers and printers; typical modern office computer software programs; report and presentation writing.

Minimum Qualification-Ability To

Use organizational skills that enable performance of duties in a timely fashion with attention to detail; effectively communicate orally and in writing; manage financial resources effectively including determining how best to utilize resources and managing budgets and expenditures; use personal computers utilizing typical office software applications, including the Internet; work effectively with managers, faculty and staff in a participatory governance environment to accomplish the goals and objectives of the college and the assigned divisions or areas; exercise good judgment; communicate effectively and constructively with persons of diverse cultures, language groups, and abilities; demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, politics, philosophy, disability, and religious background of all students, faculty and staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Demonstrated commitment to student success, including supporting the Social Sciences and English Student Center to give students wrap around services to increase student success and retention, while decreasing the equity gap.
2. Understanding of how to support a variety of academic disciplines, including career and technical education, general education, and transfer programs.
3. Demonstrated commitment to a collaboration between student services and instruction to address DVCs student equity plan.
4. Understanding of Rising Scholars program and how to support our justice impacted students.
5. Demonstrated understanding (or willingness to learn) of running a childrens center.

Job Open Date:

03/06/2026

Job Close Date:

04/06/2026

Open Until Filled

No