Dean of Instruction (STEM)

Cuesta College seeks a Dean of Instruction who will provide leadership and management for programs in the STEM Area of Study.  Those programs include the biological sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering, earth and ocean sciences, and physical sciences.  The Dean plays a key role in supporting faculty and students in achieving equitable student outcomes. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to respond to the rapidly changing landscape of STEM education while responsibly managing resources dedicated to the classroom, laboratory, and field studies.

DEFINITION

Under the general direction of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Instruction, the Dean of Instruction serves as an administrator for the District and the cluster; provide supervision of facilities, personnel, budget, and class schedule; leadership in the development of educational programs; oversight of program planning, review, and learning outcomes; serve on the President's Cabinet; and perform other related duties as required.  The responsibilities of the Dean of Instruction extend to all sites for the District. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The incumbent in this position is distinguished by the requirement to direct and provide leadership for assigned divisions including assessment of needs and development of long-range plans for the cluster and the District.  The Dean shall implement the philosophy and policies of the District and ensure that the cluster strives to achieve the College mission, vision, and goals. Incumbents in this position support student learning outcomes by ensuring that students have access to courses that fulfill their degree and certificate requirements for graduation, acquire transfer ready status, obtain or retain employment in a degree or certificate related field, and successfully pass licensure or professional certifications in their field of study.  In addition, incumbents support student learning by continually working with faculty and staff to maintain the currency of program content and the quality of classroom delivery methods. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Administer collective bargaining agreements, employee contracts, and Board policies;
• Direct and provide leadership for assigned areas of responsibility including assessment of needs and development of long-range plans for the cluster and the District;
• Implement the philosophy and policies of the College and ensure that the cluster strives to achieve the College mission, vision, and goals;
• Support and promote the programs, functions, and goals of the divisions, the cluster, and the College;
• Research changes and innovations including the identification and use of student learning outcomes and assessment; 
• Participate in the selection of regular and temporary faculty, managers, and staff 
• Supervise and participate in the evaluation of faculty, management, and classified personnel in the cluster;
• Facilitate the selection and evaluation of division chairs and coordinators;
• Conduct academic cluster meetings with chairs on a regular basis;
• Participate regularly in division meetings in cooperation with the division chair;
• Resolve faculty, student, and division conflict at the lowest level;
• Develop division class schedules with recommendations from the division chair and faculty;
• Review and approve faculty teaching loads for conformance with College policy and contractual agreements;
• Finalize, with input from division chairs, the cluster plan, the program reviews, the Facilities and Educational Master Plan, course articulation, and other curricular matters;
• Review and approve cluster curriculum with the assistance of the division chair  and the division curriculum committee representative prior to submission to the Curriculum Committee;
• Oversee the management of the budgets and grants within the cluster;
• Oversee and coordinate the use of facilities;
• Facilitate maintenance and/or replacement of facilities and equipment 
• Assist with the development of enrollment and student success reports and the dissemination of results;
• Assist in the development of requests for grants from federal and state agencies, and from the private sector;
• Lead in the development of educational programs throughout the District;
• Conduct surveys/studies and work with the community, local schools, administration, and faculty in determining the transfer, community, and employment needs of the District;
• Provide for professional development opportunities for faculty and staff;
• Promote security, safety, and energy conservation for areas of responsibility;
• Report regularly on areas of responsibility to the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Instruction; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

• Master’s degree.

Experience:

Required

• Two years’ experience in community college management or the equivalent.

 

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of administration;
• Principles and practices of Student Learning functions;
• Pedagogy;
• Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
• Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and
• District policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; and
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds; and
• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
 Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred. 

1. Cover letter;
2. Resume;
3. Reference List (see further instructions below);
4. Unofficial transcripts;
5. Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College centers our Mission, Vision, and Values in our hiring processes. In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission, Vision, and Values, please describe how your work as a Dean of Instruction will demonstrate your commitment to equitable student outcomes. 

Reference List Instructions:   Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position.  LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

SALARY SCHEDULE Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College’s policies, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/documents/hr_docs/salary-schedules/Management_Schedule_07-01-2024_Updated4-11-25.pdf

• Salary Schedule Range: $11,449 - $13,917 per month.
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $11,449 - $12,623 per month.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.  Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety.  This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years.   You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices:  on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours.  You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on June 12, 2025.
Second Interviews will be held on June 17, 2025 via Zoom.

Salary : $137,388 - $151,476