Department Chair, Science

Cape Fear Community College; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Fear Community College seeks a Chair of Science to plan and manage the Mathematics/Science Department, overseeing anatomy, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics offerings and the Chemical Technology program. The role includes budget management, faculty supervision, and strategic planning with the Dean.

The position is 12-month, on the Wilmington campus, requiring regular site visits and on-campus presence five days a week, with teaching duties across fall, spring and summer

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, or related field plus 18 graduate hours in one discipline.
• At least three years of full-time teaching experience in a post-secondary setting and teaching in the division subjects.
• Administrative and managerial ability in higher education settings.

Responsibilities

• Market and recruit for the program and represent the College at professional events.
• Evaluate faculty performance using varied data and observations to ensure quality teaching.
• Schedule classes and coordinate teaching assignments; manage enrollment operations and class records.

Skills

Administrative leadership

Faculty supervision

Curriculum planning

Education

Master’s degree in science or related field

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Informer

Ad Astra

Acalog

Job description

DEFINITION:

The Chair of Science will plan and manage the operations of the Science Department, including anatomy, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics courses as well as the Chemical Technology program, with a positive and future forward approach. They will collaborate with faculty and the Dean in planning processes, including but not limited to: course scheduling, innovative and balanced program offerings; strategic planning and curriculum assessment and modification; facilitate the collection and labeling of accreditation materials; properly enforce college policies; develop and implement effective program and discipline recruitment initiatives; manage the department budget; effectively manage faculty duties and relations; teach one course in their discipline each fall, spring and summer semester in varied delivery modalities.

This is a 12-month staff position that accrues leave. Annual employment dates will be from July 1-June 30. Chairs are expected to be on campus five days a week for a minimum of 40 hours, scheduled to ensure appropriate availability for faculty and students. Additional hours on or off campus will be required for special events.

This position is based on the Wilmington campus. The Chair is expected to regularly visit all campus sites to exercise effective supervision of and coordination with faculty.

This appointment is dependent on satisfactory job performance. Performance reviews are completed on an annual basis. Chairs serve at the discretion of the Dean.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• Receives general supervision from the Dean of University Transfer and Partnerships.
• Exercises direct and indirect supervision over full-time and adjunct faculty, chemical technology program director, and lab technicians.

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS STATEMENTS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• Market and recruit for assigned program; recruit CCP and prospective high school students; contribute to marketing materials for internal and external purposes; represent the program and the College at professional organizations and conferences; make presentations to internal and external groups;
• Effectively evaluate faculty performance using varied data sets, including class observations, to ensure quality teaching and retention; contribute to selection of appropriate faculty for special projects and varied instructional methods;
• Recruit and interview full-time and adjunct faculty; help orient new faculty;
• Schedule classes for assigned programs; assign full-time and part-time teaching schedules; coordinate class cancellations, additions, and changes; make recommendations to the Dean; Work with Enrollment Operations.
• Ensure efficient usage of college facilities and resources when scheduling classes and events;
• Oversee posting of accurate documentation such as syllabi, course objectives, and faculty schedules;
• Coordinate accurate and timely completion of class records such as attendance, grades, and make-up documentation;
• Maintain Pulse Checks for RSI (Regular and Substantive Interaction;
• Check faculty compliance for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) in all courses;
• Provide new faculty (part-time and full-time) mentors through the college’s mentorship program;
• Coordinate textbook selection, supplementary instructional materials, and changes in curriculum;
• Mediate student and faculty concerns, including, but not limited to, grade appeals and behavioral intervention;
• Supervise lab facilities and classrooms for proper use; coordinate supply and equipment needs and orders; oversee safety documentation and OSHA compliance;
• Attend division, chair, and committee meetings as requested; accurately and consistently communicate pertinent information to faculty;
• Provide input toward annual budget preparation upon request;
• Have knowledge of accreditation elements such as Program Learning Outcomes and General Education Outcomes and oversee faculty participation in assessing and reviewing outcomes to ensure data-driven decisions about curriculum and standards;
• Effectively evaluate and support all direct reports and others as needed;
• Have knowledge of innovative teaching practices for various course delivery methods, including face-to-face, online, hybrid courses, and ensure faculty maintain currency with innovative instructional methods;
• Ensure online courses in the department employ best practices for student engagement and learning;
• Perform other duties as assigned, including but not limited to serving on committees and participating in professional development;
• Teachone course in their discipline each fall, spring and summer semester in varied delivery modalities in order to ensure the understanding of the evolution of teaching, their discipline knowledge, and to model best practices in college instruction.

Other Important Functions:

• Coordinate assigned recruitment activities with the Director of Student Recruitment and other stakeholders; identify faculty to assist in these efforts;
• Contribute to social media outreach and webpage management needs;
• Collaborate with other college areas, including but not limited to Student Services, Continuing Education and Community Enrichment to enhance student learning and support retention and completion efforts;
• Assist the Dean in developing, planning, implementing, and administering improvement goals and objectives at the course and program level;
• Identify qualified individuals willing to serve on advisory committees and make recommendations to the Dean;
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the planning, analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs;
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation;
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to the discipline and safety protocols;
• Multiple methods of instructional delivery;
• Current trends in the field as well as community college instructional practices.

Ability To:

• Analyze problems; identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals;
• Select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate assigned faculty and staff;
• Prepare and analyze administrative and statistical reports, statements, and correspondence;
• Utilize digital platforms such as Ellucian Colleague, Informer, Ad Astra, and Acalog, among others, to increase divisional productivity and make informed, data-driven decisions;
• Maintain working knowledge of college’s LMS;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Effectively interpret and apply CFCC goals, objectives, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  1. Making observations
  2. Reading and writing
  3. Communicating with others
  4. Operating assigned equipment
  5. Handling varied tasks simultaneously

• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

1. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
2. Operating assigned equipment
3. Handling varied tasks simultaneously
4. Bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 50 pounds

• Maintain mental capacity, which allow the capability of:

1. Making sound decisions
2. Responding to questions
3. Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Minimum Education/Training:

• A Master’s degree or higher in an area of astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, or a Master’s degree in a related field and 18 graduate hours in one of these disciplines specified.

Minimum Experience:

• At least three years of full-time teaching experience in a post-secondary educational setting;
• Teaching experience in any of the subjects taught within the division;
• Demonstrated administrative and managerial ability.

Preferred Education/Training, Experience, Skills:

• Administrative/supervisory/coordination experience in a post-secondary educational setting.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• This position REQUIRES UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS be submitted in addition to the application. Please have these documents ready to upload when applying.
• Candidates are required to submit OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for all degrees obtained prior to their first day of work or hire date. If highest level of education is High School diploma or equivalent, proof of completion is required.
• Candidates who have obtained their education outside of the US and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated, at their own expense, by an outside credential evaluation service as equivalent to the Baccalaureate or Master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
• To claim veterans’ preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to Human Resources during the application process. Human Resources will verify eligibility.