Lecturer - Director of Design Build Program

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time Lecturer to direct the UMass DesignBuild program. The role combines organizational leadership with teaching in high-performance design-build projects and full-scale on-site construction.

The successful candidate will lead instructional design, coordinate cross-department collaboration, and mentor students while integrating architectural design with construction practice at Amherst.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Onsite construction experience and teaching experience in design-build are expected.
• Licenses including CSL and OSHA 10 are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct the UMass DesignBuild program and coordinate teaching across semesters.
• Prepare sites, procure materials, and supervise construction processes.
• Engage with communities and partners to advance design-build projects.
• Oversee program finances and student recruitment throughout the year.
• Support inclusive, collaborative teamwork across CNS and Architecture.

Skills

Driver’s license

Onsite construction experience

Teaching experience in construction

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. architecture, building science, construction technology, construction management, civil engineering, or similar).

Tools

Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts

OSHA 10 Safety License

Job description

Title

Lecturer - Director of Design Build Program

Executive Area

Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU

College of Natural Sciences

Department

Environmental Conservation

Work Location

Amherst

Schedule

Full Time

Work Arrangement

Onsite

Job Summary

The Building and Construction Technology Program (in the Department of Environmental Conservation) and the Department of Architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time lecturer position to be the director and primary instructor for the UMass DesignBuild program. The successful candidate will provide the core organizational, administrative, and instructional role in the UMass DesignBuild program. This program is committed to providing an experiential learning environment where students engage in design-build pedagogy and experience the integration of both architectural design and full-scale construction. Past projects featured high-performance building design, experimental materials and systems, and MEP/HVAC systems integration. Successful candidates will have a strong interest in design-build pedagogy and experience in architectural design, particularly for high-performance residential projects, and full-scale on-site construction work.

Essential Functions

Teaching Duties

• Fall: Teaching the BCT 313 course (3-credit) on high-performance, light-frame, residential construction. This may coincide with instructional duties for the completion of the previous DesignBuild project.


• Spring: Teaching a 6-credit undergraduate and graduate level DesignBuild design studio (ARCH 404/604) that leads to the construction documents for the upcoming project.


• Summer: Instructor for two 6-credit (each) DesignBuild build courses during which the structure will be built. These are two full-time (40 hours/week) six-week sessions.

Teaching duties may vary, depending on evolving needs.

Construction Management Duties

• Prepare UMass DesignBuild site in preparation for student arrival for the start of the Build, i.e., tools, materials, construction equipment, safety equipment, etc.


• Procure all materials and equipment necessary for the build.


• Instruct students in all aspects of construction procedures including both tool and job site safety.


• Provide technical on-site instruction about all systems (structural, MEP, etc.).


• Communicate and coordinate as necessary with assorted code officials, municipal authorities, specialty contractors, and materials suppliers.


• Complete construction as needed following the conclusion of the summer build courses and ensure delivery to community partner.


• Operating construction equipment and UMass vehicle(s).

Program Management Duties (Throughout The Year)

• Primary management of the UMass Design Build program including, but not limited to the following tasks:


• Solicitation and procurement of projects for the DesignBuild program.


• Negotiations for agreements with community partners, the University, and/or other potential collaborators for DesignBuild projects.


• Collaborate with the Development Offices to secure philanthropic support for projects through cash and in-kind contributions. Pursue and coordinate project financing and fundraising strategies, including charitable gifts, grant funding, and the purchase or transfer of completed projects.


• Overseeing program and construction finances and interfacing with University accountants.


• Interfacing with UMass Legal as necessary for annual agreements with recipients of DesignBuild projects, and managing agreements between all involved parties.


• Student recruitment.


• Outreach to media, donors, town officials, AEC professionals, faculty, UMass Administers, etc.


• Campus construction site supervision (maintenance and updating).

Other Functions

Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.

Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. architecture, building science, construction technology, construction management, civil engineering, or similar).


• Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts or equivalent (by the time of hire).


• OSHA 10 Safety License (by the time of hire).


• Previous onsite experience in full-building light-frame construction.


• Previous teaching experience in construction, design-build, and/or design programs.


• Driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Architect license in Massachusetts (by the time of hire).


• Experience in high-performance building design and construction.


• OSHA 30 safety license.

Additional Details

This position is a calendar year Lecturer (100% appointment, 12 months), joint hire between the Department of Environmental Conservation (ECO) as primary department and the Department of Architecture as secondary.

The initial appointment will be for two years but is renewable based on performance and program need. The successful candidate will be a core faculty member of the Building and Construction Technology (BCT) Program in the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Architecture and will interface with other academic groups at UMass and industry throughout the region. The ECO and Architecture departments and UMass Amherst place special emphasis on faculty-student interactions and a commitment to teaching and mentoring. We value the retention of new faculty, and the successful candidate will be a departmental mentoring committee and have access to extensive university programs and mutual mentoring opportunities through the Colleges of Natural Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts, and the University’s Office of Faculty Development.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst’s For the Common Good: 2024–2034 Strategic Plan.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in indoor and/or outdoor environments, and requires frequent lifting, bending, tool use or equipment use. May involve work in confined spaces or at heights.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week

The latest start date is September 1, 2027, but an early start in May or June 2027 is possible (to allow for observation of the current year’s build project).

Salary Information

The University expects to pay within an approximate range between $75,382 and $108,786 for this position.

Please note: The low end of this range is based on the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA. The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors, including faculty rank and required relevant certifications, when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Application review will begin January 15, 2027.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified.