AT - Program Director - CDL - 100% Traveling

About the Role

The CDL Program Director provides leadership for the CDL Program, serving as the subject matter expert in curriculum development, revision, and implementation. This role involves training the Account management group, engaging with potential students, participating in new student orientation, and overseeing Driver Trainers. The Director is responsible for hiring, developing, and evaluating faculty, as well as monitoring and supporting students to ensure their success. Additionally, the role involves continuous program improvement through data analysis and collaboration with faculty and staff.

Responsibilities

• Services to Students
  • Supplements Driver Trainer advising for students receiving failing assessments.
  • Provides academic advising and counseling as needed, including referrals to outside resources.
  • Arranges for student tutoring when needed.
  • Leads student retention initiatives for students facing barriers to success.
  • Maintains regular contact with all students and responds to their questions or concerns in a timely manner.
  • Posts office hours for students and refers them to appropriate staff for non-academic problem resolution.
  • Contacts students who miss class or accumulate more than four absences during the course.
  • Maintains records of interactions and correspondence with students (e.g., phone calls, emails).
  • Monitors contact between Driver Trainers and students, following up with students who were unreachable or did not return as promised.
  • Identifies students needing tutoring and offers appropriate academic advice.
• Quality of Curriculum, Instructional Materials, Equipment, and Facilities
  • Serves as a subject matter expert for academic curriculum in the program area.
  • Provides feedback in the curriculum development and revision process led by the Home Office Executive team.
  • Implements new and revised curriculum.
  • Provides weekly recaps of cohort performance.
• Faculty Performance and Development
  • Orients, monitors, supervises, mentors, and assists new Driver Trainers.
  • Provides leadership and supports all staff in meeting their instructional and program needs.
  • Attends weekly day and evening faculty meetings to discuss improvements in course offerings, instructional methods, and other program enhancements.
  • Shares information about trends and changes in the program specialty area with all departments.
  • Attends faculty meetings and in-service programs, maintaining records of professional development activities.
  • Maintains current knowledge of federal and state institutional regulations and accreditation standards related to the program area.
  • Participates in the preparation of government and accreditation reports, ensuring timely submission and accuracy.
  • Assists the Director of Quality Assurance/Regional Program Director in evaluating student questionnaire data and conducts faculty conferences to discuss results and recommendations for improvement.
  • Collaborates with peers and associates to coordinate interdepartmental activities.
  • Performs all duties of a full-time Driver Trainer.
• Program Improvement
  • Analyzes student population data to identify at-risk students and works with faculty and staff to provide support.
  • Actively engages in the development and maintenance of the campus effectiveness plan, collecting data to analyze program performance.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• CDL License.
• 3 years of experience in academic instruction in a post-secondary environment.
• 5 years of industry experience in the field of instruction.
• 2 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
• Ability to qualify as a CDL Driver/Driver Trainer.
• Knowledge of faculty development, including requirements, delivery methods, and reporting.
• Motivation, dedication, professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm for teaching.
• Sensitivity to the needs and requirements of adult learners.
• Ability to embrace the school’s mission and inspire students to meet employer expectations.
• Knowledge of industry standards and requirements within the field of instruction.
• Ability to facilitate learning on course content within the field of instruction.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and database programs (CampusVue preferred).
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships to accomplish work objectives.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills for positive interactions with students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
• Excellent creative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet and/or exceed defined goals.
• Excellent presentation skills for formal settings.
• Management skills in planning, organizing, controlling, and evaluating programs in a dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of federal FMCSA and state Department of Motor Vehicle standards.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Associate’s Degree or higher, documented specialized competency within the field of instruction, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 years of experience in academic instruction in a post-secondary environment.
• 10 years of experience in the field of instruction.
• Working knowledge of federal/state government education regulations.
• 3 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
• Previous experience as an academic program director.
• Experience in student guidance or related fields.
• Working knowledge of federal/state government regulations.

Physical Demands

• Mobility & Balance: Ability to frequently climb in/out of the cab, bend, squat, kneel, twist, and reach to perform pre/post-trip inspections and navigate tight spaces.
• Strength: Ability to crank trailer landing gear (often 100+ lbs), handle training and safety equipment, and potentially assist with loading/unloading.
• Endurance: Ability to sustain physical activity and remain alert during extended driving and instructional periods, including exposure to varying weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, rain, ice, or snow.
• Sensory Acuity and Overall Health: Must possess and maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate and meet DOT physical qualifications required to hold a CDL, with or without reasonable accommodations, as required by Federal regulations.
• Specific Tasks & Considerations:
  • Physically demonstrating skills such as coupling/uncoupling trailers, performing inspections, and maneuvering large vehicles.
  • Working outdoors in various conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow while training.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.