What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Dean - Education & Social Services position at Yakima Valley College?
Our Mission Statement:
As a federally designated Hispanic-serving Institution residing on the traditional homelands of the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Yakima Valley College cultivates equity and a culture of innovative and inclusive teaching and learning.Yakima Valley College serves all students holistically, supports all students' learning goals, and fosters achievement within career and educational pathways.
We strengthen our communities by providing opportunities for personal enrichment, economic mobility, and sociocultural engagement.
Yakima Valley College is accepting applications for an innovative and collaborative Assistant Dean – Education & Social Services, who is committed to students and their success. This is a full-time (12 month), administrative position, which includes a full state benefits package. This position is in person, on campus M-F and occasional evenings and weekends as needed for program operations and support. This role supervises both faculty and staff positions.
The Assistant Dean reports to the Associate Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development and will provide administrative leadership for Education and Social Services programs including Teacher Education, Early Childhood Education, Substance Use Disorder and Criminal Justice. These programs encompass certificates, Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees. The incumbent will engage in collaboration across departments to focus on strategic planning aimed at program growth and sustainability, ensuring alignment with industry needs, accreditation standards, college policies, and initiatives that enhance student success. In this capacity, the Assistant Dean – Education and Social Services will actively support designated academic departments through accountability measures, administrative guidance, and effective communication. Critical responsibilities will include making data-informed decisions, conducting labor market analyses, managing budgets, and identifying grant opportunities.
This role is essential in supporting various functions within assigned Workforce Education programs, including policy and procedure management, program planning, accreditation processes, faculty and staff development, curriculum delivery, facility and equipment planning, and departmental operations. Additional duties involve overseeing grant management, fostering community engagement, and addressing student concerns. The Assistant Dean will assist in the implementation of policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with federal, state, college, and accreditation requirements pertinent to assigned programs. The ideal candidate will exemplify a strong commitment to excellence in leadership, as well as to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
- Provide leadership to maintain accreditation with the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and ensure compliance with all PESB requirements for program approval.
- Comply with the following guidelines: (a) college policies and procedures, (b) state administrative code, (c) standards of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and (d) standards set forth by all accrediting and approval agencies for Teacher certification in Washington State.
- Develop and recommend overall objectives, plans, and procedures for assigned programs, this includes following records management procedures for the departments.
- Ensure program assessments are conducted and utilize data and research to guide best practices in assigned programs.
- Prepare for on-site PESB accrediting site visits.
- Serve as part of the student appeal process for programs served.
- Create quarterly and annual reports, including extensive self-study reports.
- Prepare a preliminary budget for assigned programs, incorporating input from faculty and staff.
- Propose annual budget to AVP - Workforce & Economic Development, manage and approve program expenditures through effective budget management, and utilize college processes to procure necessary supplies, materials, and equipment.
- Hold self, faculty and staff accountable to YVC policies and procedures and department and divisional strategic goals.
- Lead the recruitment process for all faculty and staff in assigned programs. Complete faculty and staff performance evaluations in a timely manner.
- Participate in tenure committees and manage all disciplinary matters following college policies and procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
- Supervise, orient, and evaluate assigned faculty and staff in adherence to negotiated agreements, applicable state and federal laws, accrediting bodies, as well as college policies and procedures.
- Plan and recommend annual teaching assignments within established guidelines and in accordance with faculty expertise and program needs.
- In collaboration with faculty, manage and coordinate the various Advisory Committees within the assigned academic programs, ensure a minimum number of meetings are held each year, with additional meetings as needed. Follow through with applicable reporting and recruit new members as necessary.
- Collaborate with program faculty to form, develop, evaluate, and revise courses, as well as enhance the overall curriculum within assigned programs. Attend and support faculty when presenting proposed curricular changes to curriculum committee.
- Coordinate, evaluate, and participate in establishing admission criteria and procedures, as well as criteria for student promotion and retention.
- Conduct program recruitment through information sessions and prepare admissions materials to facilitate the annual application process for Teacher Education in compliance with the accrediting agency's requirements.
- Ensure the accuracy and currency of program web pages, faculty and student handbooks, applicable policies, and procedures, as well as any promotional or public relations materials, and reissue them as needed.
- Foster a broad organizational culture that supports collegiality, personal well-being and professional development of students, staff, and faculty.
- Work collaboratively with the YVC administrative team.
- Expand and maintain external relationships with community partners.
- Develop and maintain memorandums of understanding and foster relationships with facilities, educational organizations, industry and K-12 organizations to assist faculty in recruiting and placing students in field placement sites.
- Actively participate with industry to ensure instructional programs are current with industry standards, practices, and trends.
- Implement new and revised courses and classes in accordance with adopted budgets and plans.
- Ensure that all faculty are appropriately certified and/or licensed.
- Support faculty to create and maintain a professional development plan as required by WAC 131-16-093.
- Collaborate with the BAS Director as needed.
- Track national trends in teacher preparation program development and develop proposed recommendations for the program.
- Work evenings and weekends as needed to support programming.
- Master's in Education, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Three (3) years experience as a certified classroom teacher.
- Two (2) years professional supervisory experience.
- Two (2) years full-time or equivalent experience teaching in higher education.
- Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license to travel to local school districts and meetings.
- Must be able to obtain a clear Background Check.
- Doctorate in Education, Business Management, Organizational Leadership, Behavioral Health, Criminal Justice or related field.
- Experience in community college administration.
- Demonstrated experience in program development and implementation of teacher certification programs.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities in the field of multicultural education, and/or diversity, social justice or equity.
- Experience managing financial resources in an institutional environment.
- Experience working with disadvantaged, at-risk, and multi-cultural populations.
- Experience supervising faculty and/or staff.
- Demonstrated expertise in curriculum and instruction.
- Proficient in MS Office Suite Programs, Excel, Word and PowerPoint and other programs such as Adobe, Smartsheet, video conferencing, Canvas.
- Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
- Communicate effectively and professionally across diverse audiences in oral and written forms.
- Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures, policies, and documented program guidelines.
- Interpret and follow instructions with strong organization and attention to detail.
- Adapt quickly to new software and technology to support program operations.
- Lead with initiative, supporting the team through hands-on problem-solving and collaboration.
- Cultivate a positive work culture, valuing, developing, and empowering staff.
- Foster collaboration within academic institutions and industry partnerships to secure support and engagement.
- Utilize data and labor market analysis to inform program decisions and workforce strategies.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise independent judgment with critical thinking and discretion.
- Washington State Teacher Certification standards and requirements for educator credentialing.
- Accreditation standards and processes, including compliance with regulatory and institutional expectations.
- Management, supervisory practices, and leadership strategies for effective team development and operations.
- Collective bargaining agreements and their impact on faculty, staff, and institutional policies.
- Budgeting, fiscal procedures, and financial oversight in an academic setting.
- Teaching and learning technologies, including instructional modalities and emerging educational tools.
- Communication technologies, such as presentation software, virtual meeting platforms, and digital collaboration tools.
- Effective supervision techniques, including performance management and staff development.
- Strategic communication practices for relationship-building, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.
- Grant acquisition, budget management, and ethical governance, with a focus on Washington State regulations.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position you MUST submit a complete YVC Online Employment Application, and include the following REQUIRED attachments:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (a generic cover letter will not be accepted):
- Please describe how your previous education, training, and/or professional experience(s) will help create and promote an equitable campus climate at Yakima Valley College?
- A current resume (a resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the online application)
- Three (3) professional references (personal references do not count as professional)
- Unofficial transcripts for confirmation of degree (if minimum qualifications require a degree). The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts at time of hire
- Certifications/Credentials as required for fulfillment of the minimum qualifications
Supplemental Information:
Candidates will be subject to a Criminal History Background Check as a condition for consideration of employment.
"In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire."
Yakima Valley College does not discriminate against any person based on their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, age, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other prohibited basis in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance should be directed to Alma Ramirez, Chief Human Resources Officer, Yakima Valley College, 1015 South 16th Avenue, Yakima, Washington, 98902; email aramirez@yvcc.edu; telephone 509.574.4671.
Yakima Valley College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at https://www.yvcc.edu/services/safety-security, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 509.574.4610.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible.
All positions are subject to funding.
Salary : $89,656 - $94,144
