Department Director I

People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Title: Department Director I
Category: Management
FLSA: Exempt
Grade: M

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President, Vice President or District President oversees a narrower-scope department with District-wide impact, such as Grants and/or other applicable area. Incumbents have overall accountability for providing leadership in long-range planning, program development, problem solving, and staff development in an assigned administrative department. Responds to inquiries from College departments, the community, and/or external agencies and supervises administrative services professionals, paraprofessionals, and technical/support staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Department Director I is the first level in a three level Department Director series. The Department Director I is distinguished from other Department Directors by its responsibility for a department narrow in scope and lower in complexity. Areas of responsibility tend to be homogenous, requiring job knowledge in fewer areas. The impact of work and decisions can have a short-term impact on the entire District.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

Supervises administrative services professionals, management, paraprofessionals, technical/support and classified staff and performs both direct and indirect supervision through subordinates. Hires, evaluates, trains, disciplines and recommends dismissal of staff as necessary.
Provides oversight and directs the implementation of internal operations for an assigned administrative department, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, 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.
Provides primary leadership in guiding, planning, implementing, evaluating, and modifying programs, processes, and operations related to department; interprets and applies federal and state mandated guidelines. Plans, implements, administers, and evaluates related programs, projects, and services impacting the college.
Ensures departmental adherence and compatibility with organizational goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives, as well as all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Directs and reviews a variety of reports, reconciliations, work papers, promotional efforts, communications, schedules, tables, and/or statements to and from internal departments, financial institutions, governmental entities, and external agencies.
Develops and administers department budgets; approves expenditures; reviews financial statements; manages financial operations; implements and allocates resources following budget approval; approves expenditures.
Responds to requests for information and provides subject-matter-expert guidance to other departments, consumers, the general public, and/or outside agencies.
Develops, recommends, and administers policies, procedures, and processes in support of departmental operations; implements and monitors compliance with approved policies, procedures, and processes.
Collects and analyzes a variety of complex data and information. Performs statistical analysis and summarizes findings in applicable reports or other communication mediums.
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. Serves as a liaison to external agencies.
Serves as a liaison with other departments and students within the College in order to provide information on available resources, programs, and/or services.
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

Academic & Student Affairs

Positions assigned to Academic & Student Affairs may also be responsible for:

Developing and promoting District-wide grant-seeking priorities, ensuring alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan.
Directing the preparation, submission and administration of complex and varied grant proposals vetting through established College process in support of College goals.
Managing post-award oversight of grants and grant implementation.
Serving as the lead internal consultant to College executives, administrators, faculty, and staff regarding grant-seeking and resource development opportunities.
Position Specific Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Communication, Education or related field. Five years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to area of assignment, including four years in a management or leadership capacity and three years of grant writing or grants management experience.

Community Engagement

Positions assigned to Community Engagement may also be responsible for:

Conceptualizing, creating, and directing a comprehensive community relations/public relations/media relations plan to support strategic communications, legislative, campus and college academic programs, and workforce and community development needs, as part of the College’s overall strategic vision.
Advising the Associate Vice President of College Advancement and Campus Presidents on community relations, media relations, and public relations opportunities that support the College’s strategic vision related to public and community engagement.
Working in partnership with College Advancement and the campuses to communicate with local, regional and national external organizations, associations and agencies regarding community relations/public relations alliances and opportunities. Representing the College at key external partner events, locally, regionally and nationally.
Supporting key College and campus initiatives to foster connectivity and knowledge among administrators, faculty, staff and students – encouraging involvement in campus life, issues and initiatives.
Working in coordination with Advancement and College administrators to coordinate top-level internal communications, including crisis communications, to ensure cross-College continuity and message consistency, while leveraging the office’s deep understanding of campus-level issues and dynamics.
Position Specific Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Community Relations or related field. Five years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to public relations, media relations and/or public affairs, including four years in a management or leadership capacity. Due to frequent travel around the district, a driver’s license is required.

Grant Development

Positions assigned to Grant Development may also be responsible for:

Providing oversight and directing the implementation of internal operations for the grant development office.
Developing and promoting District-wide grant seeking priorities, ensuring alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan.
Directing the preparation, submission, and administration of complex and varied grant proposals vetting through established College process in support of College goals.
Managing post-award oversight of grants and grant implementation.
Serving as the lead internal consultant to College staff regarding grant-seeking and resource development opportunities.

Marketing and Communications

Positions assigned to Marketing and Communications may also be responsible for:

Leading the development and implementation of the full scope of integrated marketing and communications strategies designed to increase awareness of and engagement with PCC among target audiences and the general public, including branding, advertising, marketing, media and public relations;
Providing assistance and consultation to other departments seeking external and internal communications support. Works collaboratively with government relations, alumni relations, web services, and development teams to coordinate and maximize strategic communications efforts;
Working collaboratively with other departments to develop and implement the college’s crisis communications plan and provides communication coordination and leadership during a crisis. May serve as the College’s spokesperson;
Writing Presidential and other strategic communications for both internal and external audiences.
Position Specific Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or related field. Five years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to marketing and communications, including four years in a management or leadership capacity.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in an area as specified in the Position Specific Duties and Responsibilities section above. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Five years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to area of assignment, including four years in a management or leadership capacity.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

Leadership and managerial principles;
Budgeting principles and practices;
Advanced theories and principles related to area of assignment;
Strategy development principles and procedures;
Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
Public administration principles and practices;
Policy and procedure development and administration principles and practices;
Conflict mediation principles and practices;
Public relations principles;
Strategic management principles and practices;
Program management and development principles;
Higher education principles and practices.

Skills in:

Directing and providing leadership to subordinate staff;
Providing strategic leadership;
Planning, implementing, improving, and evaluating programs, policies, and procedures;
Developing, administering, and managing budgets;
Speaking in public;
Managing multiple priorities simultaneously;
Analyzing and developing policies and procedures;
Managing change and sensitive topics;
Planning, analyzing, and evaluating programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints;
Evaluating research to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, or provide information;
Working with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
Utilizing computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities;
Communicating effectively through oral and written mediums.

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.

Reviewed: 12/2018
Revised: 1/2014; 6/2013;8/2023
Replaces: Director of Public Safety; Grants Development Director