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Assistant Director (Job Description-PDF)

Position Overview:

The Assistant Director for the Council of Presidents’ office is a key partner with the Executive Director, other COP team members and member institution colleagues. The primary role of the Assistant Director is to support the Executive Director in a number of key areas that serve the Council of Presidents’ mission to provide a forum for communication, cooperation and collaboration among Washington’s six public baccalaureate institutions, and to represent the sector among a number of external constituencies. The Assistant Director is the primary support staff to the Interinstitutional Committee of Academic Officers (ICAO) which is one of COP’s most active interinstitutional committees. The Assistant Director reports directly to the Executive Director.

Essential Qualities and Competencies:

The Assistant Director is required to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, and must be able to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment consistent with the core values of the Council of Presidents’ organization. The ability to lead and to work constructively with all colleagues and constituencies is essential to the success of the Assistant Director.

Managing diverse viewpoints, critical thinking and problem-solving are essential, as is the willingness to learn new topics and skills and to identify emerging issues. Strong listening, writing and oral communication skills are critical. This position requires the ability to compile, analyze and coherently display information. Attention to detail is essential. Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is needed.

Previous job related experience in one or more higher education institutions is essential, with preference for one who has served in a public institution within the State of Washington. A combination of academic affairs and student services experience will be given preference

Primary Duties:

COP Committees and Sub-Committees & Work Group Support Staff

The Assistant Director works with those committees and in policy areas that typically fall under academic and student affairs, as assigned by the Executive Director. Primary COP committees staffed by the Assistant Director include:

Academic Officers

Student Services Officers

Affirmative Action Officers

Academic Program Planning

Registrars and Admissions

Librarians

Graduate Deans

Education Deans

Assessment Coordinators

Transfer & Articulation

Financial Aid

Institutional Research

Liaison to External Constituencies

The Assistant Director serves on a variety of external task forces and workgroups, sometimes as the representative for the public baccalaureate sector, but more often alongside sector institutional representatives. The Assistant Director is often called upon to take a leadership role, and may be asked to compile sector information or participate in the preparation of reports. Several key groups include:

Joint Access Oversight Group (JAOG)

Major-Related Programs (transfer degrees)

Transition Math Project (TMP)

State Need Grant Advisory Group

WA Council on High School-College Relations

Inter-College Relations Commission

Legislative Session Support

The Assistant Director attends and participates in legislative hearings as assigned by the Executive Director, including providing public testimony on select legislation. The Assistant Director is a member of and staff support to the legislative officers’ group convened by the Executive Director. The Assistant Director is responsible for tracking legislation as delegated by the Executive Director.

Other Duties as Assigned

Council of Presidents’ employees work together as a mutually supportive team. Since the office is staffed by four people, it is important that each employee is willing to work on behalf of the total organization and fill in as necessary to provide support in accomplishing our work.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Master's Degree (Experience working in Washington public higher education institutions may substitute for this requirement.)

Experience: 3 Years of related experience, preferably in a Washington public higher education institution.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Strong listening, critical thinking, written and oral communication skills

Strong leadership and management skills

Ability to examine and appreciate multiple points of view

Collaborative and cooperative nature

Salary and Benefits:

This position is a permanent full-time and state funded position. The annual salary range for this position begins at $84,500, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include: comprehensive health and dental insurance, federal Social Security, TIAA-CREF retirement program, vacation and sick leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Council of Presidents values diversity in all respects.

APPLICATION:

Letter of Interest

Resume or CV

3 Recent References

Address letter of interest to:

Ms. Terry Teale, Executive Director
Council of Presidents
410 11th Avenue SE, Suite 101
Olympia, Washington 98501

Applications are encouraged to be sent via e-mail to: copmail@energy.wsu.edu

Application deadline: July 28, 2008