JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT CHAIR – CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT: TECHNICAL EDUCATION
SALARY RANGE: BASED ON EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE FLSA: EXEMPT
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Dean of Technical Education
SCHEDULE DETAILS: 12-month/PSRS
This position is responsible for six credit hours of instruction per fall and spring semester. The Department Chair is allowed to teach two classes for overload per semester. Over two classes for overload is rare and requires approval of Dean and Provost.
Position Summary
The Department Chair serves as both a faculty member and academic leader, providing high-quality instruction while overseeing the operations, development, and strategic direction of the department. This role includes teaching, mentoring students, supporting faculty, managing curriculum and assessment, and fostering industry and community partnerships. The Chair promotes academic excellence, facilitates continuous improvement, and ensures alignment with institutional goals, accreditation standards, and college policies. This is a student-focused, collaborative position that requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Essential Job Duties
Instruction & Student Engagement
- Deliver accurate, engaging instruction using college-approved curriculum and best practices.
- Foster a respectful, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment.
- Maintain office hours and support student success through advisement and problem resolution.
- Address student concerns regarding advisement, placement, academic challenges, and instructor conflicts (including Title IX issues), across campuses as needed.
Curriculum & Assessment
- Develop and maintain course syllabi in alignment with approved templates and course abstracts.
- Plan and prepare learning environments with appropriate materials and resources.
- Lead efforts in curriculum development, student learning assessment, and annual planning.
- Coordinate textbook selection and course materials with faculty.
Faculty Leadership & Supervision
- Provide leadership and support to departmental faculty, promoting instructional innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
- Recruit, interview, hire, and evaluate adjunct, full-time, and dual-credit faculty.
- Host a minimum of three departmental meetings per semester and ensure timely communication (respond to emails within 48 hours).
- Collaborate with other campuses to schedule, staff, and evaluate classes and faculty.
Department Operations
- Develop and manage course schedules and faculty assignments with dean approval.
- Maintain accurate records including attendance, grades, syllabi, student metrics, and inventories.
- Provide input into budget development and manage program budgets responsibly.
- Assist the Dean with program accreditation and compliance with regulatory standards.
Program Promotion & Community Engagement
- Promote academic programs and courses; assist with recruitment and outreach initiatives.
- Serve as departmental liaison to advisory committees, college committees, and industry partners.
- Sponsor student clubs and organizations, where appropriate.
- Represent the department at college functions, special projects, and community events.
Professionalism & Collegiality
- Demonstrate professional conduct, a positive attitude, and a collaborative spirit.
- Exhibit exemplary attendance and punctuality.
- Maintain confidentiality of student and staff information.
- Complete required professional development and maintain necessary certifications.
- Comply with all college policies and procedures.
- Participate in college-wide events, including commencement and committee service.
Non-Essential Job Duties
- Provide input to Dean in evaluation of courses for transfer and articulation discussions with other institutions.
- Arrange for substitute instructors when needed.
- Review relevant professional development activities for faculty.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or industry-accredited organization.
- Valid Missouri teaching certificate (or willingness to obtain one for secondary and post-secondary education).
- At least three years of full-time experience teaching or training in a related discipline, either in an academic or industry setting.
- Minimum of five years of industry or related field experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of course content and effectiveness in teaching.
- Strong leadership or management experience.
- Experience working with business and industry partnerships.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and use productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in leadership roles within professional organizations.
- Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (e.g., Canvas or Blackboard)>
- Possession of an industry-recognized credential in the program area.
- Evidence of active community involvement.
- Experience with Colleague or similar administrative systems.
- Prior experience in a collegiate or higher education setting.
Working at Ozarks Technical Community College Provides Great Benefits
- Medical insurance coverage for employees through the CoxHealth network at no cost to employees.
- Dental, LTD and group life insurance coverage for employees at no cost to employees.
- Access to the on-site OTC Health and Wellness Clinic at no cost for employees and their dependents.
- Use of the OTC fitness center at no cost to employees.
- Twelve (12) tuition free college credit hours per fall and/or spring semester and six (6) college credit hours per summer term for employees and/or their dependents.
- College matches the employee PSRS/PEERS retirement at 14.5% or 6.86%
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: (The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.)
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions. Requires extended periods of time viewing computer monitor or standing; may require adjustment of schedule to include some evening and/or weekends; may encounter occasional exposure to inclement weather during travel.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.
***OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE INSTITUTION DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.” THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.
