Dean of Instruction - Business and Law and Trades

Posting will close December 21, 2025

With the guidance from the Vice President of Instruction, the Dean collaboratively works towards moving the institution to mission fulfillment. The Dean along with Instructional leadership will build educational pathways that foster life-long learning opportunities, provide career skills development, and close job skill gaps and equity gaps in our service areas. 

This position reports directly to the Vice President of Instruction.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees.  Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw.  Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.

The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

This position reports directly to the Vice President of Instruction. The Dean is a strategic academic leader responsible for managing the Business & Law and Trades divisions, which offer 73 degrees and certificates and serve over 3,900 students annually. With guidance from the Vice President of Instruction, the Dean collaborates across the institution to drive mission fulfillment.

Core Responsibilities: 

The Dean serves as the primary administrative and instructional leader for the Business & Law and Trades divisions. Key responsibilities include:

· Academic and Faculty Leadership, Strategic Planning and Data Acumen

o Understands, implements, and ensures alignment with both faculty and staff collective bargaining agreements.

o Collaborates closely with deans, division chairs, and faculty to ensure curriculum relevance, instructional excellence, and efficient scheduling that aligns with the College’s strategic priorities.

o Supports, mentors, and evaluates faculty through the tenure and post-tenure review processes, adjunct faculty review, and professional development processes.

o Supports and works to build collaboration across the college by engaging faculty, staff, and community partners to ensure coordinated efforts that advance institutional goals.

o Supports and advocates for faculty and staff in initiatives that are culturally relevant and anti-racist to help the College work towards its student success goals.

Management: 

o Supervises and supports faculty, staff, and student workers to have a productive, professional, and safe working environment: managing workloads, schedules, evaluations, hiring, and other duties.

o Works with the division chair and faculty on resolution of faculty, staff, and student complaints in a shared governance environment and in compliance with CBA provisions, etc.

o Manages the program life cycle across associate, certificate, and baccalaureate offerings and program review.

o Earns and maintains the professional technical certifications for faculty and administration of CTE programs.

o Fosters and supports idea generation of instructional design and delivery and in alignment with Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA).

o Serves as the budget authority of division and departmental budgets, including related grants and allocations.

o Works closely with the Business Office and Instructional Leadership to facilitate the development and management of departmental and divisional budgets.

o In partnership with CTE deans, writes, facilitates, and manages a variety of state and federal grants (e.g., Perkins).

o Develops, administers, and manages complex divisional and grant-funded budgets, including setting budget priorities and managing capital resource development.

o Pursue ethical alternative funding sources and work to acquire program or institutional resources to support CTE programs.

o Acquire program or institutional resources and ethical alternative funding sources to support CTE programs.

o Plans and implements academic initiatives using labor market data, enrollment trends, and student outcome measures.

External and Workforce Development: 

o Works and partners with industry, businesses, and civic leaders on collaborative initiatives to further student success in CTE and collaborative management and implementation of the CLNA among CTE Deans.

o Develops and maintains strong relationships with the community, school districts, and local tribes to support educational pathways.

o Maintains articulation agreements, establishes, and fosters relationships to strengthen K-12 to post-secondary pathways, including but not limited to dual credit and transfer programs.

o Represents the college on state-wide councils.

• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies: 

· Strategic Planning: Demonstrated experience in strategic planning for academic programs, including conducting labor market needs analyses and planning for program changes based on local and national trends.

· Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in collecting, interpreting, and applying data (enrollment, program review, student outcomes) to assess program health, ensure accountability, and inform continuous improvement.

· Collaborative and Decisive Leadership: Ability to effectively lead, implement, and manage change within a shared governance environment, fostering teamwork with division chairs, faculty, and staff while maintaining the ability to make decisions to meet institutional goals.

· Active Listening and Communication: Strong listening skills to gather input from diverse stakeholders and the ability to articulate mission, vision, and priorities clearly and persuasively to internal and external audiences.

· Adaptability and Resilience: Demonstrated flexibility, resilience, and emotional intelligence to navigate institutional ambiguity, manage conflict, and sustain personal and organizational integrity.

· Equitable Leadership: A high commitment to and demonstrated experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), exhibiting sensitivity to and understanding of diverse backgrounds, identities, and intersections among students and colleagues.

· Serving Diverse Populations: Proven experience working with and supporting underrepresented and underserved faculty, staff, and the greater community.

· Inclusive Environment: Commitment to creating an inclusive environment that promotes equitable student outcomes for all students.

Education: Master's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Teaching Experience: 3 years of college-level teaching experience, preferably in Career and Technical Education.

Leadership Experience: 3 years of progressive leadership experience in community colleges or related educational/administrative settings.

CTE Expertise: Proven experience in Career and Technical Education and the development and implementation of curriculum and industry-related programs.

 Compliance and Grants: Experience in the preparation and maintenance of contracts, grants, accreditation, and associated regulatory compliance.

Partnership Experience: Experience developing effective partnerships and programs with business and industry and demonstrated experience in community and school district relationship building

Attach the following with your completed online application and responses to the Supplemental Questions (located under the tab titled "Supplemental Questions")?to be considered for this position.?Should you have any difficulties uploading the documents below, please contact NeoGov tech support at 1-855-524-5627 Mon-Fri 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. pacific time.

•  In your own words (1000 words maximum), write a cover letter that specifically describes how you meet and have demonstrated each of the Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Competencies.

• Resume

• Three professional references

At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas.
  
All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.)
 
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law RCW 28B.112.080.
  
Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/
  
Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Green River College’s Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, 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 253-288-3350.
  
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320.
 
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination:  Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status age, perceived or actual sensory,  physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran  or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal.
  
Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
 
Reporting
 Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College’s appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President’s office for referral to an alternate designee.
 
For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants: Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Email: titleixcoordinator@greenriver.edu

Salary : $125,000 - $132,400