Provost/Chief Learning Officer

Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) District Equity Statement

CCS believes that access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment is the right of all individuals and imperative for the continued advancement of a strong democracy and workforce. We also believe higher education institutions have an obligation to work toward and demonstrate progress in ensuring equity amongst their students, faculty, and staff. Equity is grounded in the principle of fairness. In higher education, equity refers to ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience.

Community Colleges Of Spokane Provost Search

The Community Colleges of Spokane Chancellor, Dr. Christine Johnson, is conducting a nationwide search to identify the next Provost and Chief Learning Officer.

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Provost/CLO provides vision and leadership in advancing the academic, student services, workforce development and basic skills mission of the Community Colleges of Spokane, ensuring compliance with Washington State law, Administrative Code, accreditation guidelines/standards, and established Board/CCS policies and procedures; promoting excellence in academic programming; providing service, consultation and support to the District’s colleges and educational units regarding academic issues, student services, curriculum development, assessment of learning outcomes and efficiencies in academic-related institutional operations; and serving as academic advisor and executive team member to the Chancellor.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master's degree in Education Administration or a closely related field from an accredited institution that when combined with experience has prepared the incumbent to successfully perform the responsibilities of this position.

Preferred Education

• A doctorate degree in Education Administration or another closely related field from an accredited institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as an academic administrator demonstrating the ability to lead and manage a complex academic organization and to work effectively with colleagues.
• ​Knowledge and ability to assess and evaluate academic programs and outcomes; lead the accreditation process and maintain accreditation standards, academic support services, curriculum and workload practices ensuring compliance with laws, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of fiscal management within higher education including establishing budgets and resource allocations.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the use of technology and information systems to support student enrollment, teaching, and learning.
• Knowledge of student recruitment and outreach methods and enrollment management issues, practices, and trends.
• Skill in oral and written communication to include effective presentation of complex data; implementing effective and efficient information/software programs.
• Providing timely consultation and advice to other executives and administrators; utilizing and relevant to the functions assigned.
• Ability to effectively problem-solve and mediate.
• Ability to represent CCS effectively and productively throughout the district, community and state levels.
• Supervisory experience developing, motivating, and evaluating employees.
• Acceptance of the responsibility to promote the welfare and best interests of students at all times.
• A demonstrable understanding and acceptance of the mission, values, goals and objectives of CCS.
• The ability to perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and goals of the institution, community and technical college system.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning and working environment that honors diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Previous experience in higher or public education organizations.
• Previous experience as an academic employee providing instruction or student support services in a higher education environment.
• Experience at the policy/administration level within a large, multi-unit organization.
• Experience with development and administration of grants within an institutional setting.

Challenge & Opportunities

• Student Success: Expanding the recruitment, enrollment, retention & academic achievement of a changing student population through consistently high-quality academic programming and innovative student support models that best serve the needs of tomorrow’s regional workforce.
•  Operational Excellence: Ensuring the continuous improvement of our financial sustainability through on-going academic and student service innovation, consistent data-informed decision-making and the constant pursuit of organizational efficiencies that make us quick to respond to student needs and external opportunities.
• Employee Success & Excellence: Advancing the engagement and change management capacity of a high-quality faculty and staff through purposeful recruitment, development & retention, consistent standards of performance and accountability, and the relevant, timely and transparent internal communication needed to best serve our students.

Term of Employment

• Salary: $137,966
• Total compensation: $30, 925 (for a total compensation: $168,891)
• Anticipated Date of Employment: July 1, 2022
• Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, since the CCS Provost and Chief Learning Officer Search Screening Committee will begin reviewing applications April 15th, 2022, submissions are encouraged prior to that time.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

•  Provide district-wide leadership in reaching and maintaining a unified strategic vision for learning and support services across CCS, respecting and honoring college distinctiveness in providing quality learning and student support service experiences for all students throughout District. Facilitates and develops consensus around strategic academic and career-technical education that advances college level success and quality of programming available to students across District. Work collaboratively to allocate resources among learning/support programs across the district. *
•  Develop, enhance, implement and review academic and student services best practices, and effectively and efficiently administer academic and student support service policies and programs ensuring timely decision-making and maintaining compliance with governing rules, regulations, accreditation standards and the District’s mission, goals, and strategic plan priorities. *
•  Collaborate with college-level administrations to assist in program “quality control” and relevance to meet changing and emerging industry needs nimbly and effectively and aligned with strategic planning goals. *
•  Serve as the principal academic advisor to the Chancellor and a member of the executive team. Contribute to the shared vision of CCS by engaging in a collegial relationship with the Presidents and Vice Presidents within CCS. *
•  Administer assigned operations, functions and staff serving colleges/administrative units in the following areas: Academic and Student Services Support, Continuing Education/Workforce Development, Global/International Education, eLearning, Grants and Institutional Research, K-12 Concurrent Enrollment oversight, Articulation Management and Strategic Enrollment Management; coordinate the development and administration of the budget for assigned functions. *
•  Supervise (select, assign, train, schedule, evaluate, recommend disciplinary action, and adjust grievances) of full/part time classified, professional exempt, and administrative employees, both personally and through subordinate managers. Adhere to collective bargaining agreements, classified rules, and all district rules and regulations governing personnel and student employment at CCS.
•  Inform and educate staff about behavior and performance expectations, provide timely and accurate feedback regarding performance, and ensure performance and behavioral problems are corrected promptly and effectively. *
•  Provide district level oversight for articulation agreements between CCS, K-12 and/or four-year institutions of higher education and maintain agreement repository. Consult with colleges regarding related academic initiatives, curriculum, and transfer issues. *
•  Provide district level oversight for dual/concurrent enrollment agreements between CCS and K-12 partners and maintain agreement repository. Consult with colleges regarding program access, related programming and services and ensuring compliance with related regulations. *
•  Consult with college academic and student services administrators regarding academic and service accreditation standards and rules/regulations, ensuring institutional compliance with federal and state law/policy, including student admissions/financial aid, curriculum coding, NWAC accreditation standards, district-level management of instructional workload categories, academic reporting, and facilitation of academic schedule construction to ensure equitable and uniform quality of programs and services provided across CCS. *
•  Provide for decision support systems that aid district and college administrative decision-making and policy/procedure development to include data generation, verification and reporting; Gather and analyze data in support of CCS decision-making and policy guidance; Provide for data analysis and support as required for district-wide strategic and tactical planning efforts, and monitor/assist in reporting key performance indicators to fulfill CCS Strategic Plan. *
•  Oversee district administration of CCS’ Grants and Sponsored Research service to include administration of a comprehensive grants development program to include grant research, identification of appropriate applications, coordination among entities, proposal development and grant writing in pursuit of public and private funding sources on behalf of the District, the colleges and their students. *
•  Oversee development and revision to Programs of Study listings, brochure series, Career Planning guides, degree worksheets and related academic advising materials in consultation with instructional administrators and appropriate faculty leadership. Serve as chair of Transfer Degree Review Advisory Committee. *
•  Manage content and revision of CCS Catalog to include developing academic calendars, final exam schedules, related student service transaction dates, policy and general information. *
•  Chair Second Seniority Unit application review committee, determine credential qualification for second unit application and advise committee on criteria and standards for approval; Issue notices of award or denial. *
•  Chair workload review committee and provide oversight for Institutional Review Board. *
•  Represent the District and participate in meetings. *
•  Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions. *
•  Support and advance the CCS strategic plan, and perform other duties assigned. *

‘*’ Indicates this is an essential duty

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in a normal, temperature controlled office environment.
• Work is sedentary in nature.
• Frequent use of computer and exposure to terminal screens.
• Work directly with clients.
• Work involves constant interruptions and requirement to answer on demand questions by phone, in person, or electronically.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.

Conditions of Employment

• Contract 12-month position
• Requires criminal background check
• Ability to travel locally as well as occasional out-of-town travel. If using personal vehicle for travel proof of driver’s license and car insurance required
• Position is exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Provost and Chief Learning Officer Profile

• Putting Students First: Focused on putting students at the center of the work and making decisions/plans so we best serve their educational needs and goals
• Equity: Lead in a manner that creates a safe, equitable and inclusive environment for all
• Access: Help us open doors, striving to remove barriers and provide support so that all of our students have access to the quality education they deserve
• Excellence: Continuously seek excellence in all we do and provide our students an inclusive, world-class education.
• Integrity: Build partnerships with trust and work from a place of integrity, honoring and respecting students and employees. Listen and communicate openly and with respect.
• Leadership: Build lasting community partnerships that inspire innovation, build the local economy and create student career pathways. Continually adapt services to meet changing needs.
• Responsiveness: Ensure our education meets the community’s needs by quickly adapting and improving our programs to ensure students are getting a competitive education and our community gets talented employees.
• Stewardship: Cultivate and respect the resources assigned and encourage staff to honor those resources by using them to advance our mission.

Application Instructions

Individuals interested in this position should specifically state in a brief (five pages or less) letter of application how they would address Community Colleges of Spokane’s challenges and describe how they meet the elements of the college’s Provost and Chief Learning Officer’s profile. Applicants also must submit a current resume and the names, business and home telephone numbers of eight references, including two supervisors, two subordinates (including one classified or support staff), two faculty members, and two business or community members. Applicants from sectors other than higher education should submit comparable references. References will not be contacted without the applicant’s prior permission. Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, since the CCS Provost Screening Committee will begin reviewing applications April 15th, 2022, submissions are encouraged prior to that time. Applications should be addressed to the CCS Provost and Chief Learning Officer Search Committee and submitted to: 

CCS Provost and Chief Learning Officer Search Committee

Grace Leaf, Chair

501 N Riverpoint Blvd., Suite 126PO Box 6000, MS 1004

Spokane WA 99217-6000 

Telephone: (509) 434-5037

Fax: (509) 434-5055

HRO@ccs.spokane.edu 

For additional information, contact:

Greg Stevens, screening consultant

501 N Riverpoint Blvd., Suite 126PO Box 6000, MS 1004Spokane WA 99217-6000 Telephone: (509) 434-5037greg.stevens@ccs.spokane.edu All inquiries, nominations and applications will be held in strictest confidence. Community Colleges of Spokane provides equal opportunity in education and employment. Applications and nominations of individuals who would increase the richness of the district’s diversity are welcome.

Community Colleges of Spokane does not discriminate in its programs, activities and employment on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parental status or families with children, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, honorably discharged veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with disability, genetic information or any other legally protected category. Please direct all inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity and/or grievances to the Chief Administration Officer, Community Colleges of Spokane, 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd., PO Box 6000, MS 1004, Spokane WA 99217-6000 or call 509-434-5037; WA Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1.

Native Land Acknowledgement

We are honored to acknowledge that the Community Colleges of Spokane, and our main campuses for Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College, are located on the traditional and sacred homelands of the Spokane Tribe. We also provide services in a region that includes the traditional and sacred homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Kalispel Tribe. The CCS Pullman Center operates on the WSU campus and is located on the ancestral homelands of the Palus people and on the ceded lands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe.

We pay our respect to tribal elders both past and present as well as to all indigenous people today. This land holds their cultural DNA and we are honored and grateful to be here on their traditional lands. We give thanks to the legacy of the original people and their descendants and pledge to honor their stewardship and values.