Dean of Work

Paul Smith's College; Paul Smiths (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Paul Smith's College seeks a Dean of Work to lead a newly expanded Work Experience Program, aligning campus employment with hands-on curricula across disciplines. The role oversees student placements, program strategy, and assessment to foster work ethic, professional competence, and financial self-reliance within a 13,000-acre Adirondack campus.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s in a relevant field with 7–10 years of leadership experience in higher education or experiential learning,

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Management, Student Affairs, or related field (Doctorate preferred).
• Experience: 7–10 years of progressive leadership in higher education, experiential education, or operational management (federally recognized Work College preferred).
• Skills: Strong understanding of student development theory, labor management, budget oversight, and small-campus operations.
• Attributes: Deep appreciation for hands-on, place-based education within a rural, residential forest setting.
• Equal opportunity employer statement included in posting.

Responsibilities

• Design and scale a unified student work program blending campus needs with intentional learning outcomes.
• Oversee placement, tracking, and evaluation of student workers.
• Monitor student labor performance and retention; develop a Student Work Transcript.
• Manage student employment budgets and compliance with federal/state labor standards.
• Cultivate internal and external partnerships to expand micro-credentialing and hands-on skill acquisition.
• Develop external-facing student enterprises in collaboration with college initiatives.

Skills

Labor management

Budget oversight

Small-campus operations

Student development theory

Place-based education

Education

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Management, Student Affairs, or related field

Job description

Career Opportunities with Paul Smith's College

A great place to work.

Career Opportunities at Paul Smith's College

Paul Smith’s College has been producing work-ready graduates with sharp minds and calloused hands for over 80 years. Located in the heart of New York’s six-million-acre Adirondack Park, the College offers hands-on learning in fields such as environmental studies, forestry, hospitality, culinary arts, natural sciences, and sustainability. Paul Smith’s College is dedicated to preparing students for leadership in meaningful careers, creating sustainable communities, and fostering a resilient planet. Its immersive, experiential approach blends academic rigor with real-world application in one of the most beautiful, inspiring, and ecologically rich regions in the country.

Position Overview

The Dean of Work at Paul Smith's College directs a comprehensive Work Experience Program, aligning campus employment with hands-on academic curricula. This is a newly created position in response to the recently expanded Work Experience Program at Paul Smith’s College. This 12-month administrator will manage campus-wide work placements, evaluate student and work crew performance, and partner with a variety of campus operations and institutes.

The Dean of Work provides strategic and operational leadership for all student labor and experiential work programs across the college's 13,000-acre Adirondack campus. This role ensures that student employment serves as a vital co-curricular touchstone, fostering work ethic, professional competency, and financial self-reliance. This cabinet-level position reports directly to the Office of the President.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Strategy & Development: Design and scale a unified student work program blending operational campus needs (e.g., forestry, culinary, hospitality, and research) with intentional learning outcomes. The program design will follow Federal Work College regulations.

Operations & Placement: Oversee placement, tracking, and evaluation of student workers in partnership with campus work crew supervisors.

Assessment: Monitor student labor performance and retention impact. Oversee the development and implementation of a student Work Transcript.

Budget & Compliance: Manage student employment budgets, and adherence to federal/state labor standards.

Community Partnerships: Cultivate internal and external partnerships to expand meaningful micro-credentialing and hands-on skill acquisition.

Enterprise Development: Develop external-facing student enterprises in collaboration with the Office of Strategic Initiatives.

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Management, Student Affairs, or related field (Doctorate preferred).

Experience: Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership in higher education, experiential education, or operational management. The ideal candidate would have prior experience at a federally recognized Work College.

Skills: Strong understanding of student development theory, labor management, budget oversight, and small-campus operations.

Attributes: Deep appreciation for hands-on, place-based education within a rural, residential forest setting.

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.

Review of applicants starts immediately!