Associate Dean, Instruction

SAN-Bernardino-Community-College-District; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

San Bernardino Community College District seeks an Associate Dean of Instruction to provide visionary leadership for college-wide instructional initiatives, ensuring DEIA-aligned programs and high-quality student services. The role oversees academic departments, manages budgets, and coordinates with Student Services to drive student success and equity across diverse populations.

The position requires master’s-level education and leadership experience in higher education, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required or equivalent qualifications per district policy.
• Experience leading instructional programs and services in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for assigned instructional programs and services.
• Oversee budgeting, planning, and program evaluation.
• Collaborate with Student Services and campus partners to improve student success.
• Develop and implement DEIA-aligned programs and initiatives.
• Supervise faculty and staff and ensure compliance with district policies.

Skills

Visionary leadership

DEIA principles

Budget oversight

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree

Job description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the assigned administrator, the Associate Dean of Instruction provides visionary leadership and coordinates college-wide initiatives to improve instructional programs and services. This role ensures that programs are learning-centered, culturally responsive, and aligned with the college’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations and supporting institutional budgetary goals. The Associate Dean oversees assigned instructional programs and services or academic departments. This position also supervises faculty and classified staff, ensuring all services foster inclusive excellence and advance student success across diverse populations.

The position will provide leadership, oversight, and support for key areas, including the Library, Tutoring Centers, Distance Education, Open Educational Resources (OER), Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) degree pathways, and the Honors Program.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification.

1. Provides strategic leadership and oversight for assigned academic departments, instructional programs, and services, ensuring continuous improvement of curriculum, instruction, and program effectiveness that support student-centered learning and reflect the college’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). Assesses local and national trends to identify and implement culturally responsive programs that meet the evolving needs of a diverse student population.
2. Provides leadership in the development, implementation, promotion, and assessment of assigned instructional programs and services, curriculum, and academic pathways, including equity-focused and student success initiatives. Oversees related grant activities and reporting, ensuring these initiatives are grounded in evidence-based best practices that advance student access, success, and equity.
3. Collaborates with Student Services and other campus partners to plan, implement, and evaluate assigned instructional programs, pathways, and student success initiatives. Works with appropriate personnel to recommend and develop new programs that enhance student success, retention, and completion across instructional areas.
4. Collaborates with instructional departments and participatory governance committees to improve instructional and academic support services to meet the needs of students.
5. Oversees the hiring of adjunct faculty and hourly support staff, adhering to District employment policies.Works collaboratively with instructional leadership to provide effective orientation and progressive in-service training for administrators, faculty chairs, and the faculty and staff.
6. Leads and collaborates on college-wide initiatives to improve instructional programs, teaching and learning practices, and student outcomes, by integrating evidence-based best practices. Works with faculty, staff, and administrators to advance division goals that promote equitable outcomes and reflect the college’s commitment to DEIA.
7. Addresses and resolves student, staff and faculty complaints and grievances on both an informal and formal basis, following adopted district procedures.
8. Supervises and evaluates faculty and classified staff as assigned, ensuring high standards of performance and adherence to institutional policies.
9. Assists in the preparation of program review documents and division-wide planning and budgeting priorities, working in consultation with program directors and faculty in accordance with the campus budget process.
10. Stays current with leading instructional technology changes and works to incorporate technology as applicable to classroom curriculum, instructional delivery methods, or to the assigned service area.
11. Develops and generates statistical data and reports to support instructional decision-making, enrollment management, and program improvement.
12. Develops and implements accountability procedures and systems to ensure continuous improvement in instructional programs and student outcomes.
13. Represents assigned department, program, and/or service area on college and district meetings and committees, ensuring effective communication and information sharing with administrators, faculty, and staff.
14. Provides information to students and to members of a diverse public who may be interested in enrolling in a program or service offered by the programs under supervision.
15. Maintains accessibility and strong lines of communication with students, area faculty and staff and encourages strong intramural relationships.
16. Participates in and attends institutional functions related to instructional and student services programs, including but not limited to convocations, student performances, sporting competitions and other related events.
17. Participates in community events and works with Marketing and Outreach to increase the visibility and viability of the programs under supervision.
18. Upholds professional standards of behavior and ethics in support of the institution’s published mission, tenets and values.
19. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of higher education leadership, administration, and organizational development.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Current and developing trends and best practices in instructional programs.
• Strategies to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in academic programs and student services.
• Curriculum development, instructional technology, and pedagogical practices that support student retention, persistence, and success.
• Budget development and resource allocation, including grant oversight and compliance.
• Dual enrollment program requirements and collaborative processes between instruction and student services.
• Data collection, analysis, and assessment techniques to support continuous program improvement.
• Collective bargaining agreements, personnel evaluation processes, and district policies and procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations affecting community college operations.

Ability to:

• Provide visionary, student-centered leadership aligned with institutional goals and DEIA principles.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate instructional support services and programs, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing innovative academic support initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and community stakeholders.
• Analyze data, identify solutions, and implement recommendations to enhance program success.
• Prepare and present clear, concise oral and written reports to various stakeholders.
• Resolve conflicts and build consensus in a collaborative, respectful manner.
• Demonstrate professionalism, fairness, and integrity in all duties.
• Provide ethical leadership in library, learning, and information technology functions.
• Perform well under pressure, managing deadlines and administrative demands.
• Communicate effectively, implementing directives and instructions clearly.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and adapt to changing needs.
• Interpret and apply policies, rules, and regulations consistently.
• Represent the college professionally in internal and external settings.
• Serve diverse student populations with cultural humility and commitment to equity.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Education/Training:

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution.

Experience:

• One (1) year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of students and staff, including individuals with varied learning needs and physical conditions.

Desired Experience:

• Experience coordinating administering, or supporting programs, services, operations, or activities related to the area of assignment.
• Supervisory experience.

License or Certificates:

• N/A

Desired Qualifications:

• Two years' experience coordinating administering, or supporting programs, services, operations, or activities related to the area of assignment
• Two years' experience of supervisory and/or leadership experience in a library setting

Equivalency Process for Confidential/Supervisors, Classified Administrators and Educational Administrators:

The San Bernardino Community College promotes the effort to ensure that their supervisors and managers are administrators who can lead, organize, plan, and supervise; and who understand the needs of students, classified, faculty and the learning environment; and who value institutional governance based upon a genuine sharing of responsibility with faculty colleagues. The minimum qualifications for supervisors and administrators should help the District to ensure that it will select individuals who are competent to perform the kind of administrative responsibilities that administrators are normally required to assume, such as supervision, organizational planning, and budget development and administration.

This equivalency process is designed to include exceptionally strong candidates who may have earned, in a variety of ways, the equivalent to a Masters Degree. Equivalency determinations shall be determined jointly by the President of the College or designee and the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, or Designee. The criteria used in making the determination shall be reflected in the governing board’s action when employing the individual.

Educational Administrators are required to hold a Master’s Degree and complete one year of supervisory experience in the appropriate setting. While it is the intent of the Board of Trustees to employ educational administrators who possess the minimum qualifications set out by Title 5 regulations, there may be exceptional circumstances whereas applicants clearly have the equivalent to those minimum qualifications. Title 5 regulations allow for a local district to determine equivalencies for educational administrators.

Equivalencies to a Master’s Degree may also be accepted for educational administrators supervising departments which only include academic disciplines. This should be an exceptional and uncommon occurrence.

An applicant for an educational administrator position where that administrator supervises departments that only include academic disciplines, may be determined to have the equivalent of a Masters Degree in the following ways. This list is not all inclusive.

1. Any Master’s Degree with a minimum of 12 semester graduate units in the relevant academic discipline OR

2. A Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant academic discipline and a combination of most or all of the following:

Graduate program coursework substantial enough to satisfy any general education portion of a Master’s level course of study (12-20 semester units) or significant coursework within the relevant discipline in the absence of a breadth requirement (totaling 27-32 semester units).

A substantial number of years of community college level full-time teaching in one of the disciplines included in the department (10-20 years).

Evidence of organizational and planning skills with regard to educational activities.

Evidence of experience and skill supervising both faculty and staff.

Evidence of experience in budget development and administration.

Evidence of conducting major, special campus-wide projects.

Evidence of participation in state and/or national discipline-specific organizations.

Evidence of scholarly works.

Evidence of major participation in the governance activities of a community college.

Evidence of acclaim in the field.

Evidence of contribution to the field on the local, state, and/or national level.

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with regular interaction with staff, students, and the public.

Physical:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight up to 25 pounds; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

Hearing:

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

pre-employment requirements:

The person selected for hire will be required to complete the following pre-employment requirements:

• Submit to and successfully pass DOJ live scan/fingerprinting. Cost of live-scan services to be borne by candidate.
• Sealed official transcript(s) in envelope from institution or electronic copies emailed directly from institution (for positions with higher education requirement)
• Tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment
• Other pre-employment requirements may be required depending on the position (i.e. certifications or licenses; see job posting qualifications section for details).?

Successful completion of all pre-employment requirements is mandatory to be eligible for employment. These requirements are in accordance with the San Bernardino Community College District’s Administrative Procedures and Board Policies.

FORECASTED RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

• Internal HR Screening: 11/30/26-12/4//26
• 1st Level Interviews: 1/4/27-1/8/27
• 2nd Level Interviews: 1/11/27-1/15/27
• Board Date: 2/11/2027
• Projected Hire Date: 2/16/2027