Dean, Health Sciences & Human Services

Description:

Northern Lights College (NLC) is located across four campuses and three access centres throughout northeast British Columbia, an area vibrant in natural resources, history, and culture. NLC's mission is to enrich the lives, communities, and industry in northeast British Columbia through accessible and applied learning. The College offers a welcoming and inclusive work environment where innovation and creativity are welcomed. NLC provides a generous compensation package with health benefits, excellent pension plan, and the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

The Opportunity

Northern Lights College is seeking to fill a full-time position for the Dean, Health Sciences and Human Services. This position reports to the Vice President, Academic & Research and is responsible for program development, management, strategic leadership, and oversight within the division.

The Dean, Health Sciences and Human Services will develop goals and strategies for Health Sciences and Human Services and will oversee the operations of Health Sciences and Human Services including the management of personnel, employment contracts, labour relations, budgets, faculty and staff recruitment, enrollment management, student affairs, program planning and development, international activities, program accreditation/recognition, policies and regulations, program advisory committees, relations with other institutions and affiliated organizations.

Key Areas of Oversight

The Dean will be a member of our Leadership team and will play a key role in the direction, growth, and development of the department's portfolio in keeping with the College's mission, vision, values and strategic plan.

They will be responsible for the oversight of accreditation requirements and ensuring programs meet the required recognition standards and will work closely with the Program chairs and faculty on quality assurance. This includes the development, updating, and improvement of the curriculum through the review of course outlines, learning outcomes, and admission requirements.

JOB DUTIES & TASKS

Program Development and Management:

• Schedules regular review of educational programs in portfolio and implements required actions.
• Responsible for the oversight of accreditation requirements and ensures programs meet the required recognition standards.

• Strives for high student satisfaction with programs, program delivery and the quality of instruction.
• Investigates and processes student appeals and complaints related to instruction. Is responsible for student discipline in accordance with college policy.
• Establishes and maintains Program Advisory Committees for Health Sciences and Human Services.
• Participates in the annual institution budget process. Manages the Health Sciences and Human Services budget and finances and is accountable for allocations and expenditures within the approved budget.

Staff Supervision

• Is responsible for organizational design, workload assignments, employee recruitment, orientation and training, performance evaluation and management, professional development, labour relations, and health and safety within Health Sciences and Human Services.
• Is responsible for ensuring a professional work environment for employees and works closely with Human Resources and employee group representatives in order to build and maintain good relations.
• Promotes and encourages teamwork and supports employees and staff. Fosters a learner-centred environment and encourages instructional employees to innovate in both curriculum and program development and learning and teaching. Develops and maintains effective communication and coordination both within Health Sciences and Human Services and between Health Sciences and Human Services and the College and community.
• Conducts Health Sciences and Human Services meetings, consults with Chairs on a regular basis, and facilitates the Chairs' performance of their responsibilities.
• Administers and ensures adherence to College policies and collective agreements. Participates in grievances and provides input to, or participates on, the College's negotiating committees in collective bargaining.
• Ensures Health Sciences and Human Services staff are familiar with the relevant health and safety regulations, receive proper instruction in safe work practices and accident prevention and are meeting all safety requirements.

Internal and External Liaison

• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other Deans and Directors and Education Council regarding Health Sciences and Human Services programs offered in the region.
• Collaborates with marketing and recruitment to develop recruitment strategies for portfolio.
• Liaises with internal stakeholders including the Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning (CETL) to establish Instructional Skills workshops.
• Represents and promotes the College and its programs on local, provincial, and national committees, and liaises with Deans at other institutions and with government, academic associations, professional associations, accrediting and regulatory bodies, school districts, health authorities, private sector organizations and various other agencies.

Qualifications:

The Ideal Candidate

The Dean will provide innovative and collegial leadership and possesses a high level of commitment to, and passion for excellence in teaching, pedagogy, and inter-professional education. They will bring a proven track record of success in conceptualizing, developing and operationalizing projects and initiatives, a keen attention to detail, and sound decision-making abilities.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience that illustrates their commitment to Indigeneity, diversity, and inclusion. They will be an excellent communicator, collaborator, and motivator, and a person of unassailable integrity and character.

The Dean is an emotionally intelligent leader and change agent who leads with creativity, empathy, and openness and strives to innovate and see possibilities over problems. The Dean is capable of engaging others in planning and carrying out strategic initiatives. The ideal applicant can manage successfully at both the strategic and operational levels.

The Dean works collegially and effectively within a unionized environment, building strong, trusting relationships and prioritizes human-centred practice to foster a positive culture while upholding NLC's values and principles.

Selection Criteria

The technical requirements for this job would typically be acquired through a Masters in Leadership or related area of study, plus three years supervisory experience in a union environment and five years experience in a post-secondary institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

In addition to the technical knowledge, you will demonstrate:

• A strategic visionary with proven strong academic leadership and management competencies with the capability and capacity to deliver strategic objectives.
• Knowledge of provincial post-secondary system
• Knowledge of provincial health sciences and human services training guidelines and processes
• Knowledge of health and human services practices and business processes
• Transformational and trustworthy decision-maker who provides creative solutions to complex problems and understands the intersection of process and technology with operational needs driving results and trust.
• Bold advocate and exceptional communicator: strong negotiation and influencing skills to build and foster positive relationships with the local, national, and international communities, government, and alumni is essential.
• Sustainability and growth: proven ability to identify and promote new opportunities to attract resources and secure funding opportunities.
• Management: demonstrated knowledge and skills in applying or managing financial, governance and quality management systems to support organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Creativity and Innovation: demonstrated ability to develop and assess new approaches, define standards of excellence, and implement cutting-edge programs or processes.
• Commitment to reconciliation: demonstrated cultural sensitivity and commitment to reconciliation and adoption of Indigenous ways.
• Equitable access: demonstrated commitment to increasing participation and success of marginalized populations in learning and employment opportunities.
• Inclusive leadership: a role model and champion for change with a demonstrated commitment to embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice into practices and processes.
• Knowledge of College programs, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of relevant Collective Agreements.