Dean of STEM

Contra Costa College is seeking a Dean of STEM beginning January 4, 2027. This is a fully in-person position; on-campus attendance is expected and required.

About the Role

Under administrative direction of a higher-level manager, oversees division(s) or areas of a college 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.

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 may supervise multiple major programs and lower-level Deans or administrators.

Responsibilities

• 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 division’s day, evening, weekend, intersession, and summer programs.
• Assists in the hiring process of management, faculty, and classified staff for assigned division or area and recommends 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 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 area’s instructional, student, and/or support services programs.
• Promotes the assessment of student outcomes 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 enhance communication and cooperation among members of the college and District communities.
• Interprets and analyzes appropriate laws, policies, rules, and procedures to determine impact on assigned instructional or student services division or program area and oversees compliance and reporting strategies.
• Travels throughout the District in carrying out responsibilities and functions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Earned master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.
• Equivalent to at least three years of full-time instructional, student, and/or other relevant support services experience.
• Equivalent to one year’s experience in a lead role such as a department chair.
• Ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver’s License.

Qualifications

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, 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.

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, socioeconomic, 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

• Earned Master’s degree in a STEM-related pathway discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) from an accredited institution.
• Expertise in creating STEM curricula, developing new degree/certificate programs, and navigating institutional and regional accreditation processes.
• Three years of successful full-time teaching experience within a STEM discipline, preferably at a community college.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on critical thinking and positive interpersonal skills and the ability to present complex information in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to lead and support faculty as they design and implement culturally relevant pedagogy, practices, and learning environments.
• Experience working collaboratively with Instruction and Student Services in support of college’s goals and initiatives.
• Experience in personnel management and evaluation, budget development and monitoring, and preparation of proposals and plans of action.
• Ability to use data to assess program effectiveness, inform ongoing program and schedule development, and support enrollment management initiatives.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of college students, including those with physical and/or learning disabilities.

Pay

Annual salary range: $145,488 (step 1) to $177,264 (step 5). New employees will be placed at the first step ($145,488), second step ($152,856), or third step ($160,596) depending upon experience. Step increases occur annually on July 1 until the maximum step is reached.