Dean, Centre for Justice and Human Services

Established in 1957 on Blackfoot territory, Lethbridge College is a board-governed public college operating as a Comprehensive Community Institution under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act of Alberta. Lethbridge College is an educational mainstay with 4,000 full-time students and over 15,000 credit and non-credit learners in continuing education and professional development programs, supported by 1,000 dedicated employees. Working in a collegial and collaborative culture, members of the Lethbridge College community have a deep commitment to student success by delivering excellent academic and non-academic services and supports across the institution. The College is committed to creating an inclusive environment for Indigenous and international students through programs and services designed to enrich the educational experience of the entire student body.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice President, Academic, the Dean, Justice and Human Services champions academic innovation, teaching and learning and applied research within their Centres while ensuring high quality learning experiences and operational effectiveness. The Dean is a member of the College Leadership Council (CLC) and provides strong administrative direction and leadership responsible for the overall growth and operational leadership of the institution. The Dean will contribute to the strategic leadership of the college through active participation in the development and implementation of the College’s four Strategies and the development and implementation of the Education Plan. The Dean must facilitate appropriate courses of action to ensure that that present needs of the college and community are met and generate strategies for meeting the future needs.

The Dean is responsible for the Centre’s operating budgets related to academic program offerings. They will provide leadership for program and curriculum development, applied research and business development, and actively liaise with external and internal parties to expand learning opportunities. They have a proven experience in management and administration of human and financial resources, facilities and information technology.

The Dean, Centre for Justice and Human Services has several direct reports:

• Associate Dean
• Senior Administrative Assistant
• Chair, School of Justice Studies (3)
• Chair, School of Human Services
• Coordinator, Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

KEYRESPONSIBILITIES:

1. General Administration
The Dean’s role in Administration is demonstrated by:

• Being knowledgeable, conversant and able to interpret all relevant contracts, policies and procedures of the College and ensuring implementation
• Addressing issues that arise out of the operation of instructional programs and seeking methods to resolve the issues whether they be student, faculty or operational
• Ensuring that relevant health and safety standards and processes are maintained in the
• Centre and that College Safety policies and procedures are followed
• Ensuring proper management of College resources occurs, which includes:

o Creation, monitoring and administering operational budgets
o Creation and vetting of capital replacement plans
o Providing leadership in the support of admissions and retention strategies

2. Program and Curriculum Development
The Dean’s role in Program and Curriculum Planning and Development is demonstrated by:

• Ensuring ongoing program viability and quality is achieved through:

o learner pathways;
o active and relevant Advisory Committees for programs;
o transfer agreements with other post-secondary institutions;
o internal quality control processes that evaluate program health on an annual basis; and
o program reviews and renewals where appropriate;

• Providing leadership in program reviews and making decisions related to programs and courses in accordance with College policy and process
• Providing leadership in the identification and development of new program opportunities and directions
• Providing leadership in the development and implementation of applied research and business development opportunities (e.g., continuing education, corporate and international training, etc.)
• Supporting and facilitating implementation and further development of competency-based education
• Ensuring academic approval processes are followed and that submissions meet the quality expected by the College
• Finalizing enrolment projections to determine program directions and appropriately allocating resources.

3. Strategic Planning and Leadership
The Dean’s role in strategic planning and leadership is demonstrated by:

• Contributing to the Education Plan and institutional priorities
• Developing and implementing the Centre Action Plan
• Contributing to College policy development
• Contributing to the overall planning and direction of the College
• Integrating and coordinating activity across the college in alignment with college direction

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to the field of education and the status and authority required to contribute to the overall leadership of Lethbridge College. The successful candidate will possess well-developed interpersonal skills, be a visionary, able to lead the Centre for Justice & Human Services in all its activities. In addition, he/she will possess:

Education

• A Doctoral degree in a related discipline. In progress is also acceptable.
• A commensurate combination of education and experience will be considered.

Experience

• Leadership experience within the related fields, preferably within a post-secondary educational environment
• Experience establishing, fostering and managing a clear strategic direction in partnership with key stakeholders
• A record of commitment to successful student learning
• Experience working within a complex, multi-union environment, preferably with knowledge of educational practice
• Experience using technology to improve the quality of learning and teaching
• Experience in moving projects and issues forward to successful completion
• Experience in program development and evaluation
• An understanding of Applied Research and its potential
• Proven track record of management and administration of human and financial resources, facilities, and information technology
• Experience working with governments and industry

Interpersonal Skills

• Works effectively with others to build a clear sense of direction and to achieve results
• Functions well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Demonstrates excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills
• Fosters and promotes applied research
• Makes connections among people and ideas, creating a vibrant intellectual environment
• Values transparency and disclosure, and demonstrates commitment to a consultative, collaborative, and collegial management style
• Committed to serving the needs of those he or she leads
• Consultative with a willingness to learn and to seek advice from others but with the strength to make the final decision
• Leads and works as part of a team
• Effectively delegates responsibility
• Persuasive in dealing with diverse constituents and in raising the profile of the Centre for
• Justice & Human Services
• Demonstrates a positive and effective management style, including the ability to coach and mentor others
• Resolves conflict through negotiation, mediation, or facilitation
• Assesses situations quickly and reacts appropriately
• Demonstrates financial and entrepreneurial acumen

A relational leader

• Committed to working collaboratively with all employees in the best interests of promoting and enhancing learning and student-cantered practices
• Able to inspire faculty, students, staff and the community
• An exceptional leader with an open, transparent and collaborative leadership style
• Experienced at building cohesive academic leadership teams by cultivating a shared vision, strategies, values, goals and objectives
• Committed to educational excellence
• Energetic and clearly outlines and follows up on his/her expectations of others
• Passionate for holistic student development and devoted to improving the academic- and non-academic student experience
• Respectful and committed to bringing out the best in his/her colleagues
• Entrepreneurial and willing to embrace change and find new and innovative ways to move the college forward
• An exceptional communicator, an effective decision-maker and a collaborative problem-solver
• Genuinely interested in forging and nurturing relationships and partnerships.