General Education Department Chair​/Head

Overview

Job Responsibilities

The General Education Department Chair/Head provides strategic academic, administrative, and instructional leadership for the General Education Department, including the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and University Studies certificate programs.

The position is responsible for supervising and developing faculty; ensuring instructional quality and compliance with accreditation, state, and institutional standards; overseeing curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement; and managing departmental operations, budgets, and student concerns.

The Department Chair/Head fosters an inclusive, student‑centered learning environment, promotes excellence in teaching and faculty professional development, provides academic instruction and student advisement, and serves as a liaison between the department, college leadership, and the community to support student success and advance the College’s mission and strategic goals.

• Department Leadership – Manages and supervises General Studies faculty, including recruitment of full‑time and adjunct faculty, hiring recommendations, orientation, performance management, and review. Ensures compliance with accreditation standards, administers teaching evaluations, and coordinates course documentation and textbook/OER selections.
• Program Coordination – Provides academic and administrative leadership for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and University Studies certificates; creates an enabling environment; represents the department to central administration and the community; manages student issues; and develops and oversees departmental budgets.
• Instructional Development – Develops, revises, and maintains courses, syllabi, lesson plans, and curriculum.
• Teaching Performance – Demonstrates ability to present course materials through appropriate instructional strategies to facilitate student learning.
• Professional Development – Participates in professional development activities, internally and externally, to expand knowledge and skills.
• Instructional Management – Manages and controls classroom activities, observes required office hours, and submits grades and reports promptly.
• Student Advisement – Advises students, assists in personal and professional development, and provides academic guidance to assigned advisees and enrolled students.
• College and/or Community Service – Participates in college activities, committees, recruitment, promotion events, and promotes the college through public service.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Faculty requirements as listed by the institution.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible related work experience.
• Master’s Degree in a General Education field, or a Master's Degree in a closely related field with at least 18 graduate credit hours in a General Education field.
• Valid driver’s license.

• Knowledge of principles and procedures pertaining to higher education.
• Familiarity with standard business practices and accepted protocol for areas of responsibility.
• Knowledge of practices related to grant funding from state and federal sources.
• Understanding of the college mission, goals, and objectives, and ability to align responsibilities with those objectives.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate a professional staff.
• Ability to build good working relationships with alumni, businesses, students, media, faculty, legislators, and others in the college community.
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal and State regulations.
• Teaching ability with a concern for student success and willingness to advise students regularly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to facilitate open communication among college employees, administrators, and students.

Limited supervision is provided by the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Teaching environments include classroom and lab. Local travel to business/industry and community campuses is required. Some short‑term travel and overnight stays may be required for professional meetings. Teaching locations include state, federal, and juvenile correctional facilities,…