Vice President of Instruction

Vice President of Instruction Priority Final date to receive applications:
September 13, 2026. Position will remain open until filled. The West Kern Community College District has launched a search for a Vice President of Instruction. The District seeks a collaborative and forward-thinking administrator to provide leadership in the development, direction, and evaluation of Taft College’s instructional programs and academic support services. The Vice President of Instruction is responsible for ensuring high-quality academic programs that support student learning, achievement, and completion while anticipating the evolving educational and workforce needs of students and the community.

Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, educational partners, community organizations, and regional employers, the Vice President will strengthen existing programs, develop new educational opportunities, promote academic excellence and innovation, and ensure instructional programs remain responsive to student and community needs while advancing the District’s mission, goals, and values. The Vice President of Instruction serves as the College’s Chief Instructional Officer and provides leadership, direction, and oversight for all instructional programs and academic affairs.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing strategic leadership for instructional programs and services, including general education, transfer, career and technical education, distance education, dual enrollment, English as a Second Language, economic and workforce development, and the instructional components of the WESTEC program. Leading the development, evaluation, improvement, and expansion of curriculum and instructional programs to support student achievement and respond to changing educational, community, and workforce needs.

Working extensively with the Academic Senate and faculty in areas of academic and professional matters, participatory governance, curriculum, student learning outcomes, faculty development, and institutional improvement. Providing leadership and supervision to instructional administrators, division chairs, faculty, classified professionals, and other assigned personnel, including recruitment, orientation, professional development, evaluation, employee relations, and performance management. Overseeing instructional operations, including development of the master class schedule and academic calendar, faculty assignments, enrollment and class-size management, curriculum and course approvals, and other academic processes.

Building and maintaining partnerships with business and industry, K-12 districts, higher education institutions, and community organizations to strengthen educational pathways, workforce programs, and opportunities for students. Developing and administering the instructional budget, pursuing appropriate state and federal funding opportunities, and aligning instructional resources with enrollment, program needs, institutional priorities, and fiscal sustainability. Providing leadership for accreditation, assessment of student learning outcomes, program review, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of instructional programs and services.

Collaborating with other Vice Presidents, administrators, employee bargaining units, committees, and campus stakeholders to advance shared institutional goals and ensure effective coordination across the College. Serving as a member of the Superintendent/President’s executive leadership team, attending Board of Trustees meetings, and providing information and recommendations regarding academic affairs and other institutional matters. THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTRUCTION SERVES AS:
An ex-officio member of College councils and committees, as assigned. A key member of the Superintendent/President’s executive leadership team and a collaborative partner in advancing the College’s mission, strategic priorities, student success, and institutional effectiveness. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree from an accredited institution, with an additional three years of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the…