Dean-Highlands College
Montana Technological University provides a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible positions that includes health, dental and vision insurance, mandatory retirement plan with employer contribution, partial tuition waiver, and a wellness program.
Applications received by March 24, 2025 will be guaranteed full review and consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Duties:
- Deans at Montana Tech are the leaders and chief representatives of their school/college and, except in extraordinary circumstances, are the conduits through which communications flow to and from their school/college on policy and procedural matters of an academic or administrative nature.
- The Dean, in consultation with the Department Heads of the school/college, is responsible for setting goals and objectives for the school/college, for developing plans to achieve them, and for periodically assessing progress towards meeting them.
- The Dean, in consultation with the Department Heads, is responsible for development of plans to carry the school/college into the future, for nurturing the growth of programs, for promoting accreditation of all programs, and the development of new programs appropriate to the school’s/college’s mission.
- The Highlands Dean assists the Provost, Budget Director, Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance with budget development.
- The Dean is responsible for developing the staffing plan of the school/college, recommending changes in the plan, and modifying the plan subject to changes in enrollment or budget.
- The Dean is responsible for the appointment of Department Heads, subject to the approval of the Academic Vice Chancellor and Chancellor, and for the evaluation of the Department Heads.
- The Dean is responsible for insuring that published guidelines for applications for tenure and promotion are followed by the departments and that applications are processed in a timely manner.
- The Dean is the primary person to hear disputes or complaints regarding any aspect of the school’s/college’s performance.
- The Dean is responsible for fostering a climate conducive to the conduct of research and for professional development by the faculty and students.
- The Dean is responsible for promoting the school/college and its programs to external constituencies. This includes fostering good alumni, industry and community relations, and the development of external funding.
Administrative Responsibilities
Responsible for all aspects of Highlands College operations. Responsible for strategic planning including responding creatively to the competitive demands of the educational marketplace. Provide educational leadership for Highlands College by recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff, and developing excellent educational programs in accordance with the mission of Highlands College, Montana Tech and the Montana University System. Handle faculty/student concerns relating to classroom procedures, instructional methodology, grading, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures. Set goals and objectives for Highlands College. Develop plans to achieve identified goals. Periodically assess progress toward meeting those goals. Assist in budget development for Highlands College. Develop staffing plans and faculty workloads. Coordinate class scheduling at Highlands College and across both campuses. Serve on committees and attend meetings upon request of Tech’s North Campus. Be a leader comfortable with delegating authority while maintaining accountability for results. Identify program/college needs and secure internal/external resources to support program initiatives. Communicate Board of Regents, Montana Tech and Highlands College policies. Supervise planning of space requirements for programs and classroom/lab use. Participate in tenure/promotion review and evaluation process and make recommendations. Recommend department head appointments. Conduct faculty/staff evaluations. Provide or coordinate professional development of faculty. Ensure compliance of faculty collective bargaining agreement.
Curriculum/Program Development Responsibilities
Play a leadership role in establishing Highlands College priorities and articulate those priorities to the Chancellor, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Board of Regents, the executive and legislative branches of state government, and the general public. Work with faculty, business, industry, government and medical leaders to develop programs that are responsive to current business and social needs. Prepare proposals for new programs or program revisions for Board of Regents approval. Work with businesses and the Montana Tech Foundation to procure donations of equipment, materials and other resources. Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and oversee accreditation reviews. Responsible for development, compilation and organization of all materials necessary for institution and program accreditation. Serve on community, state, regional and national committees and boards that relate to two-year education. Work with Perkins, and similar initiatives to increase flow of students directly to Highlands College programs from secondary schools. Develop and maintain a system of program review. Assist local agencies in recruiting new industry. Approve program and course curricular changes.
Public Relations Responsibilities
Promote Highlands college and programs to external constituencies through extensive alumni, industry and community relations. Ben an involved community leader, committed to building collaborative relationship with business and industry, government and community organizations, and area high schools. Act as the public spokesperson for Highlands College and as the Highlands College representative for appropriate ceremonies and academic occasions.
Required Qualifications:
- Masters degree from a regionally accredited university (doctorate preferred).
- Three - five years of broad-based and progressively responsible administrative/budget experience and responsibility in a regionally accredited university, community college or vocational/technical college/institution.
- Experience in implementing educational programs in response to the needs of business, industry and government.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A proven record of leadership in obtaining private support, federal funding and grant support for programs and services in public post-secondary educational settings.
- Experience as a Dean or higher in a regionally accredited institution.
For full consideration application materials must be complete.
Please include:
- Cover letter addressing qualifications,
- Resume
- Contact information for 3 professional references.
For full consideration application materials must be complete.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check.
Montana Tech is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged. Montana Tech makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, Montana Tech provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans.
To claim veteran’s preference please complete the employment (veteran’s) preference form located on the employment page and email to humanresources@mtech.edu. You must include the job title of the position in which you are applying.
Employment (veteran's) preference form
To request an accommodation for the application or interview, please contact Cathy Isakson 406-496-4380; cisakson@mtech.edu
Why Work at Tech?
Help meet the changing needs of society by providing a transformative student experience by helping develop leaders for tomorrow by advancing science, engineering and technology.
In addition, Montana Tech offers an attractive benefits package* which includes:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with low deductibles and comprehensive coverage.
- Generous employer contribution toward monthly health care benefits worth $6.08 per hour.
- 5.9% retirement employer contribution for eligible employees
- 11 Holidays per year
- 3 weeks of Annual Leave to start
- Generous sick leave policy that can be used for sick children, doctor and dentist appointments as well as bereavement.
- 6 credits of coursework free per year (fees not included)
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Reduced tuition for dependents after 4 months of employment for eligible employees
- Employee Assistance and a Wellness Program
- Optional Retirement Plan for eligible employees
- Possible remote work days with supervisor approval and eligible positions.
* Benefits are dependent on position type and terms and conditions of eligibility.
Montana Technological University, Butte Montana, is nestled in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide, where I-15 and I-90 intersect. We are home to the largest National Historic District in the country. Montana Tech is a special focus institution with a reputation for excellence and value. Montana Tech is ranked #1 in the nation by CollegeNET.