Vice President of Instruction

Taft College; Taft (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

CalPERS or CalSTRS retirement

Job summary

West Kern Community College District invites applications for the Vice President of Instruction to lead Taft College’s instructional programs and academic support services. The role emphasizes collaboration with faculty, staff, educational partners, and the community to advance student learning, completion, and workforce readiness.

The VP of Instruction serves as Chief Instructional Officer, guiding curriculum development, accreditation, budgeting, and program improvement while aligning with the

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution with related administrative leadership experience.
• Classroom teaching experience is required.
• Five years of senior management experience in higher education, preferably in a community college.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to diverse student backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for instructional programs and services across general education, transfer, career and technical education, distance education, and more.
• Lead development, evaluation, and expansion of curricula to support student achievement.
• Collaborate with Academic Senate and faculty on governance, curriculum, and student learning outcomes.
• Supervise instructional administrators, division chairs, and staff; oversee recruitment, professional development, and performance management.
• Oversee instructional operations including master class schedule, enrollments, and course approvals.
• Build partnerships with business, K-12 districts, higher education, and industry for pathways and workforce programs.
• Develop and administer instructional budget and align resources with priorities and funding opportunities.
• Provide leadership for accreditation, assessment, program review, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Collaboration

Budgeting

Education

Master’s degree + leadership experience

Classroom teaching experience

Five years senior management in higher education

Job description

The West Kern Community College District has launched a search for a Vice President of Instruction. The District seeks a collaborative and forward-thinking administrator to provide leadership in the development, direction, and evaluation of Taft College’s instructional programs and academic support services. The Vice President of Instruction is responsible for ensuring high-quality academic programs that support student learning, achievement, and completion while anticipating the evolving educational and workforce needs of students and the community. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, educational partners, community organizations, and regional employers, the Vice President will strengthen existing programs, develop new educational opportunities, promote academic excellence and innovation, and ensure instructional programs remain responsive to student and community needs while advancing the District’s mission, goals, and values.

The Vice President of Instruction serves as the College’s Chief Instructional Officer and provides leadership, direction, and oversight for all instructional programs and academic affairs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership for instructional programs and services, including general education, transfer, career and technical education, distance education, dual enrollment, English as a Second Language, economic and workforce development, and the instructional components of the WESTEC program.
• Leading the development, evaluation, improvement, and expansion of curriculum and instructional programs to support student achievement and respond to changing educational, community, and workforce needs.
• Working extensively with the Academic Senate and faculty in areas of academic and professional matters, participatory governance, curriculum, student learning outcomes, faculty development, and institutional improvement.
• Providing leadership and supervision to instructional administrators, division chairs, faculty, classified professionals, and other assigned personnel, including recruitment, orientation, professional development, evaluation, employee relations, and performance management.
• Overseeing instructional operations, including development of the master class schedule and academic calendar, faculty assignments, enrollment and class-size management, curriculum and course approvals, and other academic processes.
• Building and maintaining partnerships with business and industry, K-12 districts, higher education institutions, and community organizations to strengthen educational pathways, workforce programs, and opportunities for students.
• Developing and administering the instructional budget, pursuing appropriate state and federal funding opportunities, and aligning instructional resources with enrollment, program needs, institutional priorities, and fiscal sustainability.
• Providing leadership for accreditation, assessment of student learning outcomes, program review, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of instructional programs and services.
• Collaborating with other Vice Presidents, administrators, employee bargaining units, committees, and campus stakeholders to advance shared institutional goals and ensure effective coordination across the College.
• Serving as a member of the Superintendent/President’s executive leadership team, attending Board of Trustees meetings, and providing information and recommendations regarding academic affairs and other institutional matters.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTRUCTION SERVES AS:

• An ex-officio member of College councils and committees, as assigned.
• A key member of the Superintendent/President’s executive leadership team and a collaborative partner in advancing the College’s mission, strategic priorities, student success, and institutional effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution, with an additional three years of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.
• Classroom teaching experience.
• Five years of senior management experience in higher education, preferably within a community college.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of California Community College governance, procedures, legislation, regulations, accreditation requirements, and other applicable directives.
• Demonstrated commitment to student-centered learning, academic excellence, faculty development, and continuous improvement.
• Experience providing leadership in teaching and learning, curriculum development, assessment, instructional technology, and diverse academic and career education programs.
• Strong administrative, fiscal, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to address complex issues, make and support difficult decisions, and effectively manage institutional resources.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with students, faculty, classified professionals, administrators, bargaining units, Trustees, educational partners, business and industry, and the community.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of an executive administrative role, including working at a desk and in meetings for extended periods; reading and reviewing written and electronic materials; communicating effectively in person and through various communication methods; moving throughout the campus and participating in College and community activities; and occasionally lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

HOURS AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Assignments are typically 40 hours per week and 12 months per year. May require overtime, holiday, or weekend work to meet deadlines. Work is generally performed indoors but may involve traveling to district or county offices to complete assignments or for research, workshops, training, or meetings.

PAY RANGE

• Administrator Salary Schedule Range 26 ~ $175,768-$226,701 annually
• This is a full-time position and qualifies for participation in the District's benefits plan.
• West Kern Community College District offers a comprehensive fringe benefits program that includes District paid medical, dental and vision coverage for all employees and their dependents, as well as a generous vacation plan. Employees are eligible for membership in either CalPERS or CalSTRS retirement systems.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The West Kern Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. The District is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination and, as such, is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This employer participates in E-Verify.