Program Director, Energy and Workforce Development

Basic Function

The Program Director is responsible to the assigned Vice President or assigned supervisor, and has broad accountability, within the participatory governance framework, for planning, directing and evaluating assigned functions associated with maintaining quality academic and student services programs.

The California Renewable Energy Laboratory (CREL) is a groundbreaking initiative based at the Kern Community College District that connects community colleges with researchers, employers, and public agencies to catalyze innovation, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen climate and energy resilience statewide. CREL focuses on four core technical areas: Clean Energy and Grid Resilience, Advanced Transportation, High-Performance Buildings, and Carbon Management.

CREL seeks a Program Director with technical expertise and strategic development experience to advance clean energy, climate, and resiliency initiatives with statewide impact. This leadership position is responsible for planning, directing, administering, and evaluating assigned programs and initiatives. The role supports collaborative leadership in experiential learning design, applied research, and technology demonstration projects, while strengthening and expanding partnerships with industry, U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, and communities.

The position will primarily lead projects and initiatives within CREL's Advanced Transportation and High-Performance Buildings Centers of Excellence, working closely with the CREL team to develop high-impact, innovative programs that support community college faculty and staff, K-12 educational partners, DOE national laboratories, and industry stakeholders.

Representative Duties

1. Interpret and administer District policy regarding assigned program(s).
2. Interpret and administer College policy with respect to student centered educational services. Plan, implement, and evaluate short and long-range strategies, goals, and objectives related to assigned program(s).
3. Review, assess and evaluate assigned programs and services; recommend and implement approved plans and policies to facilitate and improve outcomes, operations and programs within areas of responsibility.
4. Provide leadership in generating staff development opportunities for support staff.
5. Provide assistance in recruitment, selection, orientation, and evaluation of support staff in assigned program(s).
6. Supervise and coordinate department planning and operations; personnel supervision, including development and evaluation of all support staff.
7. Develop, implement, and monitor the annual plans and budgets expenditures.
8. Act as liaison with District, State, and federal governing bodies regarding assigned programs and practices.
9. Market the College and assigned programs to the College community and the general public.
10. Serve on College and District committees as appropriate.
11. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in an academic area related to assignment.
• Five years of full-time experience in administration, including at least three years of leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.