Director, Northern Academy
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: January 14, 2025
Next review date: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Mar 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is the lifelong learning arm of the university. The division maintains the most diverse portfolio on the campus, with programs spanning pre-college, professional continuing education, workforce development, international academic and cultural exchange, and training services for corporate and agency partners. As a global leader in continuing education, CPE serves learners regionally, nationally and globally, and posts more than 55K enrollments annually making it the third largest UC Extension by enrollment. Beyond its community-facing role, CPE serves as the internal hub for online education in support of other academic units on the campus. CPE employs approximately 180 employees and draws on the expertise of approximately 1,700 instructors.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
Human Services, a department within UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, provides continuing education programs and workforce development services to adults throughout California. On a yearly basis, Human Services coordinates over 2,000 classes and trains nearly 60,000 students. As a distinct program within the Human Services portfolio and part of California’s regional training academy system for public child welfare services, the Northern Academy provides educational programs, training, consultation, coaching and evaluation services for social services professionals in 28 northern California counties and three tribes within the Academy’s region as well as in other parts of California and other states. The Academy is supported by approximately $5 million in contracts from the California Department of Social Services and other county agencies.
As Program Director of the Northern Academy, this position is responsible for developing and delivering programs and services for clients and partners. This is achieved by developing and fostering strong and effective working relationships with partners and clients, including state and county social services program leaders, professional associations, instructors and campus faculty. It is also achieved by effectively leading and managing a team of academic managers and staff. The position reports to the Executive Director of Human Services and supports the Executive Director in achieving the goals of Human Services through collaborative efforts with other program directors—sharing resources and program opportunities and representing Human Services as an integrated “full service” organization both externally and internally. As an academic leader in a self-supporting division, the Program Director is first and foremost an academic entrepreneur who identifies new opportunities for programs and develops high-quality educational experiences that deliver value to learners and achieve financial sustainability. Under general oversight of the Executive Director, the Program Director is responsible for setting the overall direction of the portfolio and developing an academic strategic plan and budget that is aligned with Divisional goals for mission expansion and financial growth.
CONTINUING EDUCATOR GENERAL FUNCTIONS:
ACADEMIC PLANNING AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT/ASSESSING AUDIENCE NEEDS (35%)
• Demonstrated mastery of the profession of continuing education and knowledge of subject matter in the development of curriculum for both individual courses and comprehensive programs that consist of a series of courses.
• Creativity and innovation in program development; originality in combining subject matter in new ways.
• Demonstrated knowledge of educational methods and ability to incorporate them appropriately in course development.
• Provision of educational opportunities to diverse and underserved segments of the population.
• Application of appropriate evaluative techniques to course instruction and content to ensure the preservation of standards of excellence required of programs associated with the University of California.
• Ability to assess continuing education needs and expectations of various clientele groups using market research and analytical methods and tools.
• Ability to develop an academic strategic plan, and take the plan to action.
• Ability to develop networks in industry, community, government, and academic groups.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION/MANAGEMENT/MARKETING (40%)
• Development of effective working relationships with a range of contacts that may include: University faculty, industry leaders, key advisors and experts from the public and private sectors, adult students, and course instructors, domestic and international.
• Demonstration of entrepreneurial and negotiation skills that achieve departmental goals with the most efficient use of resources.
• Ability to guide and use skills of the instructional staff.
• Ability to collaborate with Extension colleagues on interdisciplinary program development.
• Ability to develop comprehensive course and department budgets to recover full costs; ability to evaluate and analyze financial data and take responsibility for implementing appropriate steps to monitor and adjust for positive and negative variances in unit budgets.
• Ability to work effectively and in compliance with pre-established programs planning and implementation deadlines (e.g., promotion and publicity planning, course approvals, instructor compensation, travel requests, purchasing).
• Competence in writing and oral skills necessary to present ideas and to promote University programs and goals with the community (business, University, arts, general public, government, etc.).
• Skill and sophistication in long-range and strategic market planning.
• Ability to develop a marketing plan to promote programs; effective use of advertising and promotion techniques.
• Development of contract and grant proposals for extramural funding.
• Cognizance of the willingness to work within UC Davis Extension and University policies and procedures.
• Ability to work with peers and support staff cooperatively and constructively to meet mutual goals and objectives.
• Active participation in departmental forums, committees, council, and projects; makes significant and substantive contributions that help achieve committee/project goals and objectives.
• Leadership role (chair/facilitator) on departmental committees, councils, and projects.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (15%)
• Ability to supervise personnel; communicate information, goals, and expectations in a clear, concise, and timely manner to program staff.
• Ability to facilitate the resolution of staff and personnel problems; handle performance problems in a positive and constructive manner.
• Ability to support campus and department affirmative action goals.
• Support and foster the career development and training of UC Davis Extension staff; work with department human resource development personnel to provide opportunities for both internal and external staff training.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND GROWTH (5%)
• Continue professional growth through scholarly activity in an appropriate discipline (e.g., through teaching, research, publications, leadership in professional or academic associations).
• Maintain membership in professional, community, and governmental organizations.
• Participate in professional development to enhance the effectiveness and broaden scope of administrative abilities.
PUBLIC SERVICE/LEADERSHIP (5%)
• Active participation on campus committees and projects; makes significant and substantive contributions that help achieve committee/project goals and objectives.
• Leadership role (chair/facilitator) on campus committees and projects.
• Recognition outside campus as a professional continuing educator through seminar and workshop leadership, consultant work, advisory group participation, publications, or service to professional groups.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with industry, community, and government groups.
Appointment:
This is a full-time academic term appointment with an initial 1-year appointment, eligible for continued reappointment. UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education is unable to sponsor a work visa (H-1B) to fill this position. Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they are legally authorized to work in the United States.
Benefits:
UC Davis provides 14 paid holidays, 24 days accrued vacation and 12 days accrued sick leave. Position eligible for full benefits/retirement package. For more information about our extensive benefits please visit [http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html]. To learn more about UC Davis and our local communities please visit: [https://frontdoor.ucdavis.edu/].
Qualifications
Master’s degree in social work, psychology, organizational psychology or related human services field
Extensive expertise and experience in California county child welfare services
Experience leading and managing people
Five years of experience in training and workforce development, program development, and/or program management
Knowledge of adult learning principles, and experience applying those principles to the design of pedagogically-sound applied learning experiences
Experience with networking, industry outreach, and partnership development
Experience in program implementation and the ability to lead others in planning and implementation efforts
Strong communication skills and experience working with diverse stakeholders
Demonstrated commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment
Experience working effectively in collaborative and complex organizations
Knowledge and experience in organizational development
Experience in a self-supporting or entrepreneurial context
Experience with budgeting, forecasting and managing financial performance
Application Requirements
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
Supplemental Question - Please describe your experience with California county child welfare services in a leadership role.
Supplemental Question - Please describe your experience in training and workforce development, program development and/or program management.
Supplemental Question - Please describe your experience in adult learning and the design and delivery of educational programs for working professional adults.
Help contact: eamccoy@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.
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