Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Program Director

• Title: Program Director
• Category: Management
• FLSA: Exempt
• Grade: M

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Division Dean or Campus President provides planning and direction to one or more functional/program areas. The Program Director has discretion in establishing overall operating policies and procedures. Responds to inquiries from College departments, the community, and/or external agencies and supervises management, administrative services professionals, paraprofessionals, and technical/support staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Program Director is distinguished from the Program Manager by its broad scope and complexity based on a variety of characteristics such as number of programs, staff and budget resources to manage.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supervises management, academic and/or administrative services professionals, paraprofessionals, technical/support and/or classified staff. Hires, evaluates, trains, disciplines and recommends dismissal of staff as necessary.
2. Provides oversight and directs the implementation of internal operations for an assigned academic or operational program on a District-wide level, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, marketing, and evaluating programs, projects, student retention, strategic planning, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards; coordinates activities between multiple service areas; works to integrate and coordinate service areas.
3. Serves as a liaison between assigned programs, external agencies, and the institution, which includes students, staff, faculty, and administration; represents the District and/or program at a variety of meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events; establishes and maintains positive collaborative relationships with community groups and establishments.
4. Prepares and administers budget, including grant budgets; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; submits justifications for budget items; monitors and controls expenditures.
5. Prepares, reviews, interprets, and analyzes a variety of complex and multi-faceted information, data, contracts, forms, schedules, calendars, surveys, and reports; makes recommendations based on findings.
6. Provides District-wide leadership and coordination of educational programs and services in assigned areas of responsibility.
7. Develops, recommends, and administers policies, procedures, and processes in support of departmental operations; implements and monitors compliance with approved policies, procedures, and processes.
8. Collects and analyzes a variety of complex data and information. Performs statistical analysis and summarizes findings in applicable reports or other communication mediums.
9. Participates in/on a variety of meetings, committees, task forces, and/or other related groups to communicate information regarding services, programs, areas of opportunity, and/or other pertinent information as appropriate.
10. Serves as a liaison with other departments and students within the College in order to provide information on available resources, programs, and/or services.
11. Positions in this classification may perform all or some of the responsibilities above and all positions perform other related duties as assigned.

Position-Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Alternative Programs

Positions assigned to Alternative Programs may also be responsible for:

• Directing the development and implementation of contracted alternative education services for high school aged at-risk and drop out youth.
• Providing input in local, state and national policies, administrative rules, statutes, and/or trends that impact post-secondary access.
• Developing innovations and connections that strengthen student college transition, persistence, and success by advocating for, facilitating connections between, and networking with national entities, local school districts, high schools, alternative schools, and the College.

Career Paths & Skills Training

Positions assigned to Career Paths & Skills Training may also be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing academic programs that service low-income individuals, unemployed, and/or other specialized populations.
• Collaborating with external partners to develop programs that meet their recruitment and training needs.

Continuing Education

Positions assigned to Continuing Education may also be responsible for:

• Provides leadership in operations activities, problem solving, coordination, and staff development for Community Education and CLIMB.
• Leads operations related communications for non-credit and business education program delivery between assigned programs, external agencies, and the institution, which includes students, staff, faculty, and administration.
• Directs facility management and procurement of educational spaces; negotiates and oversees contracts with vendors, trainers, customers, and partners.
• Ensures departmental adherence and compatibility with organizational goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives.

Dental

Positions assigned to Dental may also be responsible for:

• Managing multiple dental clinics which provide services to the public.
• Managing educational programs to include course review, development and program revision.
• Teaching clinical practices.

Institute for Health Professionals

Positions assigned to the Institute for Health Professionals may also be responsible for:

• Managing and providing leadership in the marketing, development, delivery, evaluation and adherence to state and/or national certifying or approval bodies of both contract and open enrollment training and education in health care.
• Developing partnerships with applicable organizations to deliver contract instruction.
• Performing facility management activities.

International Student Services

Positions assigned to International Student Services may also be responsible for:

• Overseeing internal operations for International Student Services (ISS) and the expansion, development, and delivery of comprehensive services for international student populations.
• Serving as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, including the issuing of I-20 documents and maintenance of SEVIS records.
• Advising the college for international student related issues with regard to Department of Homeland Security and Department of State regulations pursuant to maintaining international students’ immigration and visa status.

Medical Imaging

Positions assigned to Radiology may also be responsible for:

• Developing and maintaining clinical affiliation sites for student placements and performing related site visits.

Nursing

Positions assigned to Nursing may also be responsible for:

• Providing curriculum leadership and development expertise.
• Maintaining applicable records and information for accreditation activities.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications may vary with professional field and legal/licensure requirements.

Community Education, Alternative Programs, CLIMB Center positions require a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Education, Counseling, Psychology, Marketing, Communication or related field. Five years of progressively responsible management experience in an academic department, business, industry or post-secondary institution.

International Education, Institute for Health Professionals, Dental, Customized & Workforce Training, Computer Education, and Instructional Programs and Centers positions require a Master’s degree in Community College Administration, Student Development, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Biological Science, Education, Business Administration or related field.  Six years of progressively responsible management experience in an academic department, business, industry or post-secondary institution.

Nursing requires a Master’s degree in Nursing, including experience or preparation in curriculum and teaching. Five years of professional nursing experience, including three years as a nurse educator or nursing education program administrator. Current unencumbered registered nurse license in the state of Oregon or the ability to be licensed in the state.

Radiology requires a Master’s degree in Radiology, Health related area of study, Business, Education, or related. Three years of experience in a related professional discipline, plus or including two years as an instructor in a JRCERT-accredited program practicing curriculum design, program administration, evaluation, instruction, and academic advising. Must hold American Registry of Radiologic Technologist registration in radiology or equivalent (i.e., unrestricted state license for Oregon).

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Leadership principles;
• Public relations principles;
• Budgeting principles;
• Grant development, administration, and management principles;
• Community agencies and resources;
• Strategic planning principles;
• Financial management principles;
• Program development and administration principles and practices at a District-wide level;
• Policy and procedure development practices;
• Advanced principles and practices in assigned area of responsibility;
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.

Skills in:

• Supervising subordinate staff;
• Directing a District-wide program;
• Reading, comprehending, and reviewing financial information;
• Making program decisions based on financial considerations;
• Adapting to rapidly changing environments;
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Providing public relations;
• Preparing and managing grants;
• Developing, managing, and administering budgets;
• Monitoring and evaluating programs;
• Collaborating with external agencies;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and making recommendations in support of goals;
• Monitoring legal and regulatory changes;
• Mediating conflict;
• Conducting negotiations;
• Maintaining confidentiality;
• Analyzing processes and making recommendations for improvement;
• Researching, analyzing, and applying relevant information to the development of departmental processes and programs;
• Coordinating activities with other internal departments and/or external agencies;
• Preparing a variety of reports related to operational activities, including statistical analysis;
• Working with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
• Utilizing computer technology used for communication, data gathering and reporting;
• Communicating effectively through oral and written mediums.

Reviewed: 12/2018

• Rev: 6/2023; 4/2018; 11/2016; 2/2016; 3/2014; 1/2014; 7/2013
• Replaces: Community Education Director; International Education Director; Institute for Health Professionals Director; Dental Program Director; Medical Imaging Program Director; Nursing Program Director; Alternative Programs Director; Distance Education Director; Customized & Workforce Training Director; Workforce Development Program Director; Open Campus Computer Education Program Director