Dean of Engineering jobs in Durham, NC

Description of Work

POSITION LOCATION: Durham, NC or Morganton, NC

NCSSM employees are generally required to live within a 2-hour commuting distance of the assigned duty station.

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled - priority consideration to applications received prior to April 30th, 2024 5 P.M.

POSITION TYPE: 12-month, EHRA Exempt Professional Staff (EPS), FLSA Exempt, 1.0 FTE

HIRING SALARY: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Remote Options: Remote options are available (1) when students are not on campus and there are no in-person required meetings and (2) with supervisor approval.

Dean of Engineering & Computer Science profile.

Description of Duties:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

• Wide-ranging knowledge of recent trends, pedagogies, and challenges in higher education, as well as K-12 education. Awareness of curriculum trends at peer institutions as well as university curriculum in Engineering & Computer Science.
• Scholarly background and research in one or several areas within Engineering & Computer Science.
• In-depth knowledge of administrative responsibilities within and across departments including budgeting.
• Background in interdisciplinary teaching, team teaching, course and program development, accreditation, and online/hybrid/and remote instruction.
• Experience with and knowledge of core Engineering & Computer Science offerings, as well as experience with and knowledge of Fabrication Labs, Robotics, Rockery, etc.
• Knowledge of the mission of NCSSM and the unique responsibilities of a residential and distance education program. Recognizes the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of this unique student body.
• Knowledge about best practices within Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
• A broad range of experience and ability to assess/evaluate the pedagogical techniques and objectives for Engineering and Computer Science
• Awareness of trends in contemporary pedagogy, especially ones that prioritize relationships as the center of teaching and learning.
• Knowledge of the complexities of the UNC System for a public STEM high school. Deep knowledge of both higher education/academia and secondary organizational structures.
• Knowledge of STEM Education (chiefly engineering and computer science or mechatronics) as well as related curriculum
• Industry knowledge and experience is important to include safety practices in construction trades and engineering as well as in the Computer Science field.
• Working knowledge and understanding of AI technology within education and the impact it has on both students and faculty.

• Cultivate the emphasis on critical thinking skills in an interdisciplinary learning environment.
• Practice and promote a collaborative leadership style. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment, understanding that there are faculty, students, and faculty on two physical campuses and for the online program.
• Advocate for faculty while balancing administrative needs of the whole.
• Mentor faculty by providing clear, constructive, meaningful feedback on an ongoing basis. Experience supervising faculty and serving as a secondary supervisor and supporting middle managers (e.g. department chairs).
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Create structures and systems that encourage faculty innovation and risk taking to facilitate student growth and new opportunities. Fosters and supports creativity as well as provides ongoing encouragement for individual growth.
• Be a leader, mediator, administrator, listener, facilitator and delegator. Seek input from chairs and other faculty members and delegate responsibilities, when appropriate
• Organize and implement a clear, demonstrated plan for departmental short-term and long-term goals.
• Communicate effectively the unique qualities of the Engineering & Computer Science Department and can network with people in and out of the Engineering & Computer Science community. Competency with technical applications across various Engineering & Computer Science teaching areas and able to talk about and understand those applications. Active involvement with the Engineering & Computer Science community at the local, state, and national levels.
• Create appropriate partnerships with industries in the local community and across the state.
• Develop a curricular program not tied to external standards (AP or IB standards, or state standards).
• Manage state and foundation budgets.
• Possess soft skills, including but not limited to: negotiation, reconciliation/restorative practices, facilitating difficult conversations, problem-solving.
• Identify best practices in research to support NCSSM in various ways such as current scholarship being published in academic journals on education, the professoriate, interdisciplinary education, and the Engineering & Computer Science and establish research opportunities with local universities
• Develop positive working relationships with those in the department and other employees across other divisions.
• Teach, assess and support students with experience across various age levels to ensure understanding of our student population.

• Listen and think critically to ensure departmental progress and find creative ways to promote innovation and positive change as NCSSM continues to evolve. Willingness to ask faculty members and students for input to make changes, as necessary. Possess a sense of humility, vulnerability and characteristics of a growth mindset.
• Promote the work of the Engineering & Computer Science department to diverse audiences (students and families, alumni, other NC stakeholders, prospective donors, etc).
• Develop and support outreach initiatives. Make connections between course content and community-based outreach/volunteering/internship opportunities for students (make Engineering & Computer Science courses relevant to real-world context)
• Advocate for resources, in terms of professional development funds, supplies and materials, and facilities. Defining the position of the Department of Engineering & Computer Science within the institution and enthusiastically and strategically situate the department for increased funding and resources.
• Advocate for students and faculty across all three campuses- Durham, Morganton, and Online.
• Grasp the importance of facilitating collaboration between residential and online programs for faculty to include problem solving skills, conflict resolution, and decision-making that is the best interest of all stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration among departments for interdisciplinary work.
• Understand how to work with a master schedule in a way that best meets the needs of students first and faculty.
• Perform educational triage.
• Keep calm under pressure, especially dealing with challenging situations.
• Travel consistently and continuously between both residential campuses
• Advocate for Engineering and Computer Science curricular and co-curricular experiences such as, NSBE, Unihacks, Robotics, Rocketry, American Computer Science League, CS Club etc.
• Assist with developing recommendations for improving Engineering & Computer Science teaching and learning and issues in Engineering & Computer Science education on a state and national level.
• Support approaches that support student centered teaching.
• Empower students and faculty to excel by supporting their strengths.
• Encourage open discussion about the department climate and create a structure to ensure steps are taken towards change, when needed.
• Understand advancement work and be an effective fundraiser.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Masters degree in Engineering, Computer Science or related field and seven years of related experience, to include experience supervising faculty, teaching experience, curriculum development experience, and five years of leadership experience (i..e, department chair or similar experience).

When applying, please submit a cover letter, CV, and statement of leadership philosophy.

Supplemental and Contact Information

Vacation: EHRA Exempt Professional Staff (EPS) employees receive 24 days per year. Leave is earned monthly.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year.

Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave and Leave Without Pay.

Holidays: 12 days per year

Benefits: The University System offers eligible employees a flexible and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to University-provided group life insurance, various retirement savings options, group health plan coverage, dental, vision, critical illness, cancer, flexible spending accounts, accident, disability coverage, educational assistance, and more. These programs can help employees achieve retirement savings and career goals, as well as assistance with meeting everyday health and educational needs. The benefits programs are designed for employees to tailor a benefits package that best meets their needs.

Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance: Securian (This is an after-tax plan and is portable)

Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition free (at any of UNC's 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees.

State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact the SECU Credit Union for information.

Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option – 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.

Facilities: Library & Gymnasium - other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.

Free On-campus Parking

Remote Options: Remote options are available (1) when students are not on campus and there are no in-person required meetings and (2) with supervisor approval.

About NCSSM:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.

Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math, and embracing the fine arts and Engineering & Computer Science, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM’s Ignite Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.

The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.

Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field - over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM values the diversity in our student body, and all members of the NCSSM community are expected to foster a safe environment of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.

For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.

How to Apply:

Submit electronic application at the following link: Dean of Engineering and Computer Science Please create an account and submit the online application.

When applying, please submit a cover letter, CV, and statement of leadership philosophy.

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. “See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume” will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If applicants are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least six years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22 along with their state application.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24-hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.

If you have questions, please contact Tracy Fullgraf at fullgraf@ncssm.edu

NCSSM is an EEO/eVerify/VEVRAA Employer