ASSOCIATE DEAN, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Job Summary

Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

NOTE: Application materials that are submitted on the last day of application and are timed out will not be accepted.

Department: Career Education

Months worked out of the Year: 12 months

FTE: 1.0

Starting Salary Range:
Range: MG-09: $131, 099 (Step A) or $136,343 (Step B) or $141,797 (Step C)
Based on experience

Anticipated Start Date: January/February 2027

Please note that this is NOT a remote position.

Job Description

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

Cuyamaca College seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking leader to serve as Associate Dean of Workforce Development. This is an opportunity to help shape how the College connects education, industry, and employment, expanding access to meaningful careers and economic mobility for the communities we serve. We welcome candidates who share our commitment to student success, social justice, equity, and anti-racism and who bring experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

We are especially interested in candidates energized by building industry partnerships, advancing workforce initiatives, and turning grant investments into meaningful opportunities for students. Experience with Strong Workforce Program (SWP), Perkins, regional collaborations, and other workforce grants is particularly valuable, as is a record of connecting students with employers through internships, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and career and job placement services. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with strong project management skills, entrepreneurial initiative, and the ability to bring faculty, classified professionals, employers, and community partners together around shared goals.

Established in 1978, Cuyamaca College serves a diverse community on a scenic, tree-lined, 165-acre campus in San Diego County. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the College embraces inclusive and innovative approaches to education and career preparation. Join a campus community where your leadership can strengthen the connection between students’ aspirations, the College’s educational opportunities, and the region’s evolving workforce needs.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Dean of Career Education, the Associate Dean of Workforce Development provides leadership, administrative oversight, and project management for the College’s workforce development initiatives, employer partnerships, and career and job placement services. The position advances equitable access to career opportunities by connecting education and training with regional labor market needs, industry priorities, and students’ employment and career advancement goals.

The Associate Dean serves as the College’s project manager for assigned local and regional Strong Workforce Program (SWP) investments, Perkins-funded activities, regional workforce initiatives, and other workforce development grants and special projects. Responsibilities include coordinating project planning and implementation; developing and monitoring work plans, budgets, timelines, and deliverables; facilitating collaboration among participating departments and external partners; ensuring compliance with funding requirements; and overseeing reporting, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

In collaboration with academic deans, faculty, student services, institutional research, and industry and community partners, the Associate Dean leads efforts to strengthen employer engagement, expand work-based learning and employment opportunities, and integrate career preparation and job placement support across career education pathways. The position develops and sustains partnerships with employers, workforce development organizations, educational institutions, and regional consortia to support internships, apprenticeships, industry engagement, and successful transitions into employment.

The Associate Dean supervises and evaluates assigned academic and classified personnel; administers assigned programs, services, resources, and budgets; and represents the College in workforce development partnerships and regional initiatives as assigned. The position uses labor market information, program data, employer feedback, and student outcomes to guide investments, assess effectiveness, address equity gaps, and improve credential attainment, job placement, and career advancement.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the assigned manager, plan, organize, and coordinate daily operations and implement planning initiatives and events for area(s) of assignment in support of district goals and objectives. Supervise, train, and evaluate personnel within area(s) of assignment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for planning, organizing, implementing and supervising the general administration, program curriculum and accreditation of identified area of assignment, to include, but not limited to, Student Services, Student Success, or Instructional programs.
• Develop and implement programs and services to meet student needs. Facilitate collaboration among various campus departments that assist with the evaluation and development of program success as well as the promotion of student success and/or equity.
• Prepare and monitor program budget; control and approve expenditures within established guidelines; maintain contractual agreements with service agencies; oversight of travel arrangements, fund raising activities, or community outreach as applicable.
• Direct the development of program goals and objectives; ensure compliance with local, state, federal and district guidelines associated with area(s) of assignment.
• Maintain professional relationships with members and representative of other local, state, and national committees, organizations, and associations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all constituents of the college district to optimize coordinated program efforts and to assist students.
• Serve on, and provide leadership for, department, campus, district, community and statewide organizations and committees as assigned; act as liaison with other educational institutions and community organizations.
• In collaboration with faculty and other administrators, interpret, develop and administer department policies and procedures.
• Direct, supervise and administer activities relating to recruitment, enrollment, retention, evaluations, promotion, mentoring, selection, and training of assigned employees. May also prepare for licensure and placement of employees.
• Plan and coordinate services and events; implement communication strategies for student success.
• Review state-level programs and research findings to identify best practices
• Coordinate student retention activities
• Assist in the planning and implementation of professional development activities.
• Prepare various fiscal, program, district, state and federally-mandated reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Master's degree from an accredited institution plus one year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to this administrative position.

SPECIAL SKILLS, ABILITIES OR REQUIREMENTS:

• In-depth knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations that govern identified area of assignment and the ability to apply these regulations.
• Technical aspects in field of specialty.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and evaluation of personnel.
• Ability to exercise leadership to advance the college's mission.
• Facilitate communication and understanding among faculty, staff, students, and the community within the framework of a multi-college district.
• Commitment to the community college concept, including the open door philosophy and a diverse curriculum for a heterogeneous student population.
• Commitment to a comprehensive, student-oriented environment that facilitates learning and student development.
• Dedication to the improvement of the educational process.
• Experience in managing change, particularly around initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, access and student success.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Effective organizational/time management skills.
• Accurately analyze a situation and adopt an effective course of action.
• Understand and follow departmental and college policies and procedures for this assignment.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Plan and implement activities involving a variety of interrelated tasks.
• Interpret, apply and explain rules and regulations.
• Operate a personal computer in an efficient and effective manner consistent with the requirements of the position.
• Establish schedules and timelines, and meet deadlines.
• Work cooperatively, effectively, and responsively with all constituents of the college, district, and community at large.
• Experience with budgets and budget development.
• Ability to successfully delegate, hold others responsible, and instill confidence among staff and faculty.
  

Additional Information

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Applicants may find it helpful to refer back to the job posting, specifically the special instructions, while applying. Consider saving the job description or opening a new browser window.

*ATTENTION* Application materials with personal photos will render your application incomplete. Please do not include any materials that were not asked for.

Having the following materials prepared and ready to attach BEFORE beginning the application may make the application experience more seamless.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS):

• A letter of interest (limited to two pages) demonstrating how the candidate meets the key responsibilities, specialized skills in workforce development, and requirements of the position.
• A current résumé summarizing educational and occupational background, experiences, certifications, and achievements.
• Official or unofficial transcripts verifying degree(s) and/or course work from accredited colleges or universities.

*ATTENTION* Please upload .doc, .docx, or PDF files ONLY. If you are working on Google Docs or Mac files, please be sure to save as .docx or PDF for your files to upload correctly.