Working Title:
Dean of Technical Studies & General Education - MnSCU Admin-5
Institution:
Northwest Technical College
MnSCU Administrator 5
Bargaining Unit / Union:
220: Minnesota State Administrator's Plan
City:
Bemidji
FLSA:
Job Exempt
Full Time / Part Time:
Full time
Employment Condition:
Unclassified - Unlimited Academic
Salary Range:
Job Description
The Dean of Technical Studies & General Education is a front-line leader of the College, a member of the HLC Accreditation committee, Academic Affairs and Standards Council (AASC) member, NTC Safety Committee, NTC Cabinet, a member of the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee (SEM), and a member of the Executive Vice-President’s Leadership Team. The Dean’s position is a facilitating link among faculty members, staff, students, and external constituencies.
The Dean position has three essential roles, serving as: 1. Academic leader of the faculty, divisions, and programs; 2. Manager of College Resources. 3. Representative of College leadership. This position provides academic leadership, coordinates the HLC accreditation process, supports processes for comprehensive assessment initiatives spanning student, program, and institutional learning outcomes, serves as lead administrator for program-specific third-party accreditations, explores new academic programs, and works with faculty to develop course schedules each academic term. The Dean promotes direction and vision of academic excellence as supervisor of faculty and related ancillary staff for the academic programs.
This position is responsible for promoting academic, administrative, and fiscal leadership in accordance with the Northwest Technical College strategic and academic plans, and for exercising professional judgment when executing the duties of this position. The position involves significant discretion and substantial involvement in the development, interpretation, and implementation of Minnesota State and NTC policies.
Responsibilities include oversight, coordination, curriculum support, and liaison capacities to grow and maintain strong programs. Administrative duties include internal and external responsibilities related to planning, budgeting, staffing, regulatory and accreditation standards, equity initiatives and standards, collaboration, and partnerships. All activities, roles and responsibilities of the Dean of Technical Studies and General Education aim at furthering the best interests of NTC students, faculty, and the College.
Academic Leadership and Supervision
Providing leadership, direction, coordination, supervision, and evaluation of all assigned academic program faculty and staff, including customized training representative.
The dean is responsible for hiring, on-boarding, conducting orientation, and training new faculty, completing performance evaluations, facilitating faculty professional development plans, administering collective bargaining agreements, and compliance with Minnesota State, State and Federal policies, rules and regulations related to personnel management for all employees under his/her direct supervision.
Scheduling semester courses that meet the needs of students while managing faculty credit loads with fiscal responsibility.
Assuring fair and impartial disposition of student disciplinary issues by overseeing the learning Code of Conduct Policy.
Serving as a resource for faculty and staff on student behavioral issues in the classroom and workplace.
Collaborating with Director of Admissions and Student Success and faculty in developing admission criteria and supporting the application/admission process.
Setting and directing program goals and priorities in collaboration with faculty, advisory committees, and Executive Vice-President; monitoring progress toward achieving those goals and priorities.
Managing the budgetary process by collaborating with faculty. Approving budget requests that are aligned with the approved budget and regulations.
Leading faculty in the development of contractual agreements as are necessary between the College, business and community agencies.
Working with Executive Vice President and faculty to develop new programs to support the future of NTC.
Facilitating a working environment that encourages respect for all cultures and backgrounds.
Supervising Customized Training staff and cultivating partnerships with MnNorth to align programming with regional workforce needs.
Curriculum Support Responsibilities
Providing leadership and support of faculty in the process of program/curriculum development, revision, and evaluation.
Facilitating processes for course surveys and student learning assessment within the divisions and programs.
Implementing processes, documentation, and management of yearly data reports as part of program assessment for analysis and academic planning purposes.
Supporting process for three-year comprehensive program review through AASC.
Managing projects related to accreditation and assessment at the program and institutional level.
In consultation with faculty, planning coverage of faculty assignments and classes in event of authorized faculty absence.
Serving as project director for the Carl Perkins grant.
Collaborating with our North Country Consortium secondary partners to: conduct comprehensive local needs assessments, creating annual work plans and budgets, participating in annual performance reviews, and completing required reports.
Developing and managing the annual Perkins grant budget, including collaborating with internal departments and divisions to identify career and technical education needs and keeping current in funding compliance requirements.
Ensuring that all Perkins grant activities, including contracts and budgets, conform to legislative requirements, Minn State policies and procedures, NTC’s grant policies and procedures, and all reporting obligations.
Liaison Responsibilities
Informing College administrative services, including student and support services and instructional personnel about programs. Inviting and encouraging their attendance at meetings where relevant policy may be discussed.
Working closely with Advisory Committees and program faculty to foster communication between the college and community.
Serving as Distance Minnesota scheduling team member, OCHS College Consortium member, and Distance MN Management Council.
Focusing on expansion of NTC offerings for Online College in the High School (OCHS);
Cultivating, developing, and managing partnerships and articulation agreements with K-12 schools and Higher Education institutions, to better meet business and industry needs.
Acting as liaison between the academic programs, NTC administration and professional organizations at the national, regional, and state levels, as well as both national and state accrediting agencies.
Performing other duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President to enhance NTC.
Salary Range:
Depends on qualifications, ($91,507 - $146,527).
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree.
Teaching or training experience in postsecondary education.
Evidence of professional leadership in higher education, or related field.
A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Preferred Qualification
Evidence of highly developed interpersonal communication, organizational, and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated success in fostering collaborative working relationships.
Experience with curriculum development.
Knowledge of a collective bargaining environment.
Demonstrated success in fostering collaborative working relationships.
Evidence of experience with online program delivery.
Accreditation Experience.
Other Requirements
Must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of employment. The College/University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time.
Official transcript(s) must be provided to Human Resources upon hire.
In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minn State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, faculty and staff driving on college/university business, who use a rental or state vehicle, shall be required to complete a vehicle Use Agreement form and conform to Minn State’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
NTC is a tobacco free workplace (see policy) .
Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)
Exempt; Full-time
Telework (Yes/No)
No
A complete application shall include the following:
A cover letter specifically addressing your qualifications, the core values of student success and DEI at NTC, and the focus on enhancing value for graduates at NTC.
Resume / Curriculum Vitae.
Unofficial transcript(s) of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Please do not email applications.
If you have questions about this position, please contact:
Ketmani Kouanchao, Executive Vice President and Senior Academic Officer Northwest Technical College
Phone: 218-333-6611
Email: [email protected]
If you have questions about submitting an application, contact:
Mary Miller
218-755-2084
[email protected]
About
College / Community
Why Bemidji:
It’s more than a job. It’s an opportunity for the extraordinary.
On the idyllic shores of Lake Bemidji, cradled among the limitless natural beauty of the North Woods and neighbored by Minnesota’s three largest Indigenous nations, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College offer opportunities for the extraordinary.
Northwest Technical College, one of only three pure technical colleges remaining in Minnesota, helps around 1,000 students align their education with their employment goals. NTC offers more than three dozen certificates, diplomas, and degrees in five career paths. For more than 50 years, NTC has prepared students for fulfilling careers in well-paying, in-demand fields. NTC's accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. With an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition, NTC meets students where they are with a convenient mix of on-campus, online, and hybrid courses.
NTC is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, the third-largest system of higher education institutions in the United States. It shares a unique alignment with Bemidji State University, with administration and student services generally having dual responsibilities to serve both campuses. Through this alignment, NTC students can take advantage of services, support, activities, and opportunities at BSU that expand and enhance their college experience — such as full access to BSU’s library and the ability to live in BSU’s on-campus resident housing.
For the first time, a joint strategic planning process will guide the future directions for both institutions. The schools are pursuing four shared strategic priorities: student success, the Nisidotaading initiative, northern distinction, and telling our story. These priorities will serve as the foundations for master planning processes for facilities, academic programs, fundraising, information technology, intercollegiate athletics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, among others.
At Minnesota State, the work we do is more than just a job. In their pursuit of purpose, connection, and growth, our employees play a critical role on our campuses. They develop policies, provide essential services, and work to improve the well-being and quality of life for our students and for all Minnesotans. Minnesota State is committed to equity and inclusion, and we invest in our employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. Unlock your potential through possibility.
The City of Bemidji
Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College lie amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota. Bemidji State occupies a wooded campus along the western shore of Lake Bemidji while Northwest Technical College lies just three miles east, near Bemidji’s robust industrial district.
The city sits between Minnesota’s three largest American Indian tribal nations: the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation. When settling the Bemidji area in 1750, the Ojibwe people named the lake Bemidjigamaag, which means “a lake with crossing waters” as the Mississippi River flows in from the south and exits on the east. Today, a city proper with a population of around 15,000 serves as a regional economic and cultural hub for about 100,000 Minnesotans.
Located just minutes away from a thriving downtown Bemidji, both the BSU and NTC campus communities have convenient access to affordable restaurants, fine-dining experiences, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores — including a natural foods co-op — city parks, and nearly unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities. Small, locally-owned shops and art sculptures line Bemidji's downtown streets, while national chains are also found in and around the area. The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows, restaurants offer weekly live music performances, the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits, and annual festivals bring the community together throughout the year.
Additionally, the North Woods setting means students, staff, and faculty have a variety of activities available at their fingertips year-round. With more than 400 lakes — and a 240-acre research forest owned by BSU — within 25 miles of the city, there is easy access to kayaking, canoeing, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, hunting, hiking, biking, foraging, fishing, and more. An expansive network of multi-use trail systems is available for running, cross-country skiing, single-track or fat-tire biking, and skijoring. Further, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing lie just north of Bemidji at the Buena Vista Ski Area.
Bemidji is also near two of Minnesota’s 66 state parks: Lake Bemidji State Park, which sits along Lake Bemidji’s northern shore, and Itasca State Park, home to the majestic Mississippi River Headwaters. Both parks are popular recreational and camping destinations where locals and tourists gather for sailing, swimming, and fishing during the summer months, and skating, hockey, curling, and—yes—more fishing in the winter.
Of course, no tour of Bemidji is complete without a visit to — and a selfie with — its two most famous residents: the iconic statues of Paul Bunyan and his trusty companion, Babe the Blue Ox. The famed duo, which has greeted visitors to Bemidji since 1937, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was once ranked by Kodak as the second most-photographed statue in America.
For further information about NTC visit https://www.ntcmn.edu .
Benefits Information:
At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.
To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.
Desired Start Date:
11-16-2026
Position End Date:
Open Date:
07-30-2026
Close Date:
09-02-2026
Posting Contact Name:
Mary Miller
Posting Contact Email:
[email protected]