Academic Faculty Director - Dental Assisting

Pima Community College Foundation Inc.; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima Community College Foundation Inc. seeks a Dental Assisting Academic Faculty Director to provide strategic leadership, instruction, and administrative oversight for the one-year Certificate program.

Located at the Center of Excellence in Health Professions on the West Campus, this twelve-month role ensures CODA compliance while managing budgets, curriculum, and faculty. The Director leads a 29.5-credit cohort with in-person lectures, labs, and clinicals, empowering students for careers in

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include active credential: CDA or licensed dentist.
• 2 years’ experience as a dental assistant with four-handed dentistry experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• CPR-BLS certification by American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

• Lead program leadership and administration, including budget and facilities management.
• Direct curriculum development, evaluation, and coordination for CODA compliance.
• Oversee scheduling of labs and equipment; manage accreditation documentation.
• Recruit and supervise faculty appointments, tenure, and promotions.
• Teach and contribute to student success through multi-modal delivery and advising.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum development

Faculty supervision

Interprofessional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

CPR-BLS certification

Job description

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

- Plus an additional 10% Allied Health Salary Adjustment to be added

- Plus an additional $10K Department Head Responsibilities Adjustment to be added

Please note, this position will be in person, to be located in the Pima County/Tucson area.

About the Position

The position is available beginning the 2026-2027 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 with other health profession programs at the Center of Excellence to model an integrated, modern healthcare learning environment.

The Academic Faculty Director leads a 29.5-credit cohort program that integrates in-person lectures, lab training, and clinical rotations. In this role, the Director empowers entry-level students with the experiential, collaborative learning needed to launch successful careers in private dental offices, clinics, and public health centers. This full-time position combines teaching, leadership, and administrative responsibilities. Please note that the academic faculty director 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. Divisions may employ emerging approaches such as fast-track, IBEST, and dual enrollment as appropriate. Course scheduling may include daytime, evenings, and/or weekends.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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.

Minimum qualifications required for faculty positions are governed by our Faculty Qualification Standards. This position is in an Occupational/Workforce discipline and requires the following to obtain Pima Community College teaching certification:

• 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.

The selected candidate will:

• Work a flexible schedule including afternoons and evenings as needed to meet student demand

• Teach in multiple modalities, including in-person, online, and hybrid

The College places a premium on candidates who are open to new approaches and professional growth. We recognize that our faculty body is strengthened by a cross-sectional breadth of experience.

• Ability to teach a broad range of courses in Dental Assisting

• Ability to adapt and modify instruction based on the 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' educational progress: ability to maintain high instruction and learning standards and assess students' academic progress in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes

• Teaching in multiple modalities such as online, web-enhanced, and D2L courses: knowledge of curriculum development, course design, and delivery

• Knowledge of the resources available to students to assist them with academic and personal challenges, and ability to help students access those resources, skilled in providing academic advising

• Competencies in multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusivity: knowledge of diverse community college student populations and the ability to address diversity in effective instructional practice and student learning

• Knowledge and appreciation for the Community College mission