Dean of Work

Paul Smith’s College has been producing work-ready graduates with sharp minds and calloused hands for over 80 years. Located in the heart of New York’s six-million-acre Adirondack Park, the College offers hands-on learning in fields such as environmental studies, forestry, hospitality, culinary arts, natural sciences, and sustainability. The College is dedicated to preparing students for leadership in meaningful careers, creating sustainable communities, and fostering a resilient planet. Its immersive, experiential approach blends academic rigor with real-world application in one of the most beautiful, inspiring, and ecologically rich regions in the country.

About the Role

The Dean of Work at Paul Smith's College directs a comprehensive Work Experience Program, aligning campus employment with hands-on academic curricula. This is a newly created, cabinet-level position in response to the recently expanded Work Experience Program. The Dean of Work provides strategic and operational leadership for all student labor and experiential work programs across the college's 13,000-acre Adirondack campus, ensuring that student employment serves as a vital co-curricular touchstone, fostering work ethic, professional competency, and financial self-reliance. This 12-month administrator reports directly to the President.

Responsibilities

• Design and scale a unified student work program blending operational campus needs (e.g., forestry, culinary, hospitality, and research) with intentional learning outcomes, following Federal Work College regulations.
• Oversee placement, tracking, and evaluation of student workers in partnership with campus work crew supervisors.
• Monitor student labor performance and retention impact; oversee the development and implementation of a student Work Transcript.
• Manage student employment budgets and adherence to federal/state labor standards.
• Cultivate internal and external partnerships to expand meaningful micro-credentialing and hands-on skill acquisition.
• Develop external-facing student enterprises in collaboration with the Office of Strategic Initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Management, Student Affairs, or related field (Doctorate preferred).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership in higher education, experiential education, or operational management.
• Prior experience at a federally recognized Work College is ideal.

Skills

• Strong understanding of student development theory, labor management, budget oversight, and small-campus operations.
• Deep appreciation for hands-on, place-based education within a rural, residential forest setting.

Pay

$90,000.00 - $110,000 annually