Academic Faculty Director - Dental Assisting

Position Summary

Salary: $62,819-$96,479 (based on education and experience)

+10% Allied Health Salary Adjustment added

+$10K Department Head Responsibilities Adjustment added

The position is available beginning the  academic year as a twelve‑month contract. Faculty teach and work a set schedule over a twelve‑month academic year, July–June, that could include day, evening, and weekend duties.

The Dental Assisting Academic Faculty Director provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and instruction for the college's accredited one‑year Certificate program. Located in the state‑of‑the‑art Center of Excellence in Health Professions at Pima’s West Campus, this full‑time administrator ensures compliance with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) while managing budgets, curriculum, and faculty. Additionally, the Director spearheads interprofessional collaboration to model an integrated healthcare learning environment.

The Academic Faculty Director leads a 29.5‑credit cohort program that integrates in‑person lectures, lab training, and clinical rotations. The role empowers entry‑level students and combines teaching, leadership, and administrative responsibilities.

Note:

the model is subject to review and may change in two years.

Faculty may be asked to teach in person, online, hybrid, and virtual learning environments. Course scheduling may include daytime, evenings, and/or weekends.

Program Leadership & Administration

• Develop and manage the program budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.
• Direct curriculum development, evaluation, and coordination to maintain high academic standards.
• Oversee the scheduling and utilization of program facilities, labs, and equipment.
• Lead all aspects of CODA accreditation compliance, including the timely preparation and maintenance of required documentation.
• Establish and refine student admission criteria and enrollment procedures.

Faculty Management & Supervision

• Recruit, select, and recommend qualified candidates for faculty appointments, tenure, and promotions.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate faculty performance to foster professional growth and instructional excellence.
• Determine and assign faculty teaching schedules, workloads, and course allocations.

Instruction & Student Success

• Teach an instructional load per semester to support students.
• Evaluate and assess student performance objectively through diverse testing and grading methodologies.
• Provide proactive academic advising and career mentorship to students.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strategic community partnerships to expand educational and clinical opportunities for students.
• Convene and collaborate with a Program Advisory Committee to align training with current industry trends.
• Represent the department or campus effectively on college‑wide committees and task forces.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, discipline groups, and institutional initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and collegial environment when communicating with faculty, staff, and students.

• Must hold at least one of the following active credentials:
  Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) (current certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)) or Licensed Dentist (a dentist licensed to practice in Arizona).
• Must have 2 years’ experience as a dental assistant with direct, proven occupational experience applying the principles of four‑handed dentistry.
• Must have a baccalaureate degree or higher.
• Be currently CPR‑BLS certified through The American Heart Association.

• Work a flexible schedule including afternoons and evenings as needed to meet student demand.
• Teach in multiple modalities, including in‑person, online, and hybrid.

• Ability to teach a broad range of courses in Dental Assisting.
• Ability to adapt and modify instruction based on student instructional needs and learning styles, including working with accommodations and accessibility.
• Knowledge of appropriate and effective use of assessment information to improve instruction.
• Evaluation of students'…