Director, Academic Technology

The Director of Academic Technology (DAT) is a full-time, 12 month, MPP (Management Personnel Plan) position and reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs with a dotted reporting line to the Chief Information Officer.

The DAT will be charged with providing strategic leadership and a vision for establishing, implementing, coordinating, managing, and delivering a comprehensive and aggressive plan for Academic Technology designed to support, engage, and facilitate effective use of technology in order to enhance student learning and improve student access to high quality courses in various modalities (e.g., technology enhanced classrooms, F2F, online, hybrid, etc.). In addition, the DAT also will assist faculty with technology consultation in research, scholarship, and creative activities. This position will report to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs with a dotted line to the Chief Information Officer. The DAT will also work closely and collaboratively with the Director of the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, the Academic Technology Sub-committee of the Academic Senate, the Academic Success Center, University Extended and International Education, and Strategic Planning, Enrollment Management and Innovation to fulfill the Academic Technology mission and vision of the Provost and CIO.

In this role, the DAT will support, oversee, and manage staff in the unit in order to work directly with faculty, assisting them in exploring and utilizing new technologies for teaching in innovative ways to improve and enhance student learning. The DAT will pursue the use of effective and high-quality online pedagogy to facilitate student learning in online courses, certificates, and online degree programs. In addition, the DAT will provide leadership in all aspects of academic technology in the areas of operational planning, policy decisions related to instructional design and curriculum, new instructional and research technology applications, faculty academic technology initiatives and support services, and the evaluation and assessment of various initiatives as they relate to the effective assessment of student learning. Where appropriate, the DAT will work in collaboration with the Division of Academic Affairs and the Academic Senate to ensure the development and implementation of policies and procedures governing Academic Technology.

The DAT will provide services and communications in support of the Accessible Technology Initiative for Instructional Materials to ensure that instructional materials are fully accessible for persons with disabilities. Goals of the ATI include timely adoption of course materials, consistent use of Learning Management Systems to provide timely access to accessible course materials, creation and use of accessible multimedia, support for faculty development of accessible course materials, active management of communications campaigns, and training development. To accomplish all these goals, the DAT will plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive, faculty-friendly, effective menu of instructional technology programs, activities, and initiatives to engage faculty and students in the use of technology to show improvements in student learning and access.

Qualifications and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The successful candidate must have an earned doctorate, preferably in instructional technology or related field with academic credentials appropriate for a faculty appointment at the rank of associate or full professor. The successful candidate must also have the ability to maintain confidentiality; manage complex issues simultaneously; develop appropriate recommendations based on the evaluation of research results; gather, organize and analyze complex data for reporting purposes; prepare clear and understandable reports and/or presentations; communicate clearly and concisely (orally and in writing); establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals/groups contacted in the course of work, including all individuals/groups within a diverse, multicultural community.

In addition, the successful candidate is required to have the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated record of innovation and success in providing academic technology services aligned with campus goals, with knowledge of the activities, processes, resources, and technologies involved in academic technology management and leadership.

• Clear and balanced vision of how technology can be used to support learning, teaching, and research.

• A strong understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations and processes of instructional technology (including instructional development), college teaching, faculty development, and distance education.

• Strong familiarity and experience with both physical (classroom) and virtual (online) learning environments.

• Demonstrated ability to build consensus and positive relationships based on trust, predictability, and communication with multiple constituencies.

• Effective collaborative leadership style that incorporates organizational, analytical, and decision- making skills with positive change management, project management, and team-building skills.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, with a record of success in developing planning documents, proposals, budget request justifications, and other forms of communication with senior administrators and faculty.

• Extensive knowledge of best practices in technology applications in teaching and learning, trends and future direction of academic technology support services.

• Demonstrated record of commitment to ongoing professional development for self, staff, faculty, and other campus professionals.

• Engages in creative problem solving; thinks globally; knows how to re-engineer processes; is open and receptive to change and new ideas within the guidelines of the institution.

• Strong ability to work effectively with diverse populations devoid of harassing and/or discriminatory behavior.

• Direct experience supervising academic technology, budgets, and personnel. Direct participation in university-wide technology projects and shared governance. Record of scholarly activities related to technology, teaching, and learning.

• Familiarity with Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Executive Order 1111.

• Experience with developing training materials such as presentations, online workshops, and eLearning modules in accessibility and disability awareness. 

Preferably, the ideal candidate will have:

• Experience with faculty development and training.

• A minimum of three years of experience with accessibility topics in an academic setting, including knowledge of individual accommodations, creation and remediation of digital content, and familiarity with campus resources to develop and support accessibility.

   

Salary Range: Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. This is a 12-month, full- time, CSU Management Personnel Plan (MPP) position with an excellent benefits package. For detailed information on management benefits please refer to the following benefit web page: http://www.calstate.edu/hrs/benefits/documents/management-personnel-plan...

Anticipated Starting Date and Application Procedure: The position will remain open until filled. Initial screening of candidates will begin the week of February 18, 2019. The successful candidate will be eligible to start in the position as soon as possible.

In addition to submitting a standard CSU Stanislaus employment application (download electronic application at http://www.csustan.edu/hr/Employment_Opportunities/Management/index.html), applicants should submit a resume with a cover letter addressing qualifications, as well as names and contact information for five professional references using one of the following methods: