Assistant Director

Job Title

Assistant Director

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Who we are:

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges.

We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Assistant Director, under general direction, assists the Engineering Workforce Development (EWD) Director in all aspects of the programs associated with the Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND) National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center and maintains responsibility for the following major functional unit(s): defining the discipline/curriculum design for undergraduate and graduate programs, accessible pathways including DexKit research, K-12 and CC curriculum, and outreach with the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET). 

Responsibilities:

40% - Program Support, Management and Execution

• Supports the overall program operations and facilitation for HAND programming including multiple facets that support HAND.
• Assists with curriculum development at the undergraduate, graduate, community college instructor training and K-12 DexKit project curriculum
• Assists with implementation of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) associated with HAND faculty
• Assists with Research Experiences for Teachers in Engineering and Computer Science (RET) associated with HAND
• Find and establish relationships with external partners
• Assists with delivery of mentorship programs (including individual development plans).
• Develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates HAND programs. 
• Develops dexterous robotics education programs for industry
• Handles special projects as assigned by the Director. 
• Disseminating and providing information through social media and other external means
• Requires some travel

30% - Leadership and Strategic Planning 

• Assists the EWD Director in planning, managing, and executing HAND projects including but not limited to defining the discipline/curriculum design for undergraduate and graduate programs, accessible pathways including DexKit research, K-12 curriculum, and outreach with the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET).

• Participates in developing EWD strategic plans based on HAND overarching goals. 

• Participates in planning, directing, and coordinating operational or procedural matters to meet EWD goals and objectives. 

• Provides leadership for EWD along with and in absence of the Director. 
• Provides supervision and guidance to a graduate assistant or EWD sub-units/projects. 
• Represents the department, division, or University on various committees. 

 20% - Compliance, Reporting, and Scholarship 

• Monitors compliance with all unit, department, University, and government standards, policies, and procedures. 

• Develops reports, analyses, and surveys as requested by Director and funding agency. 
• Creates scholarship of teaching and learning including the drafting of Institutional Review Board (IRB) documents

5% - Budget

• Plans budget for sub-units/projects [defining the discipline/curriculum design, accessible pathways including DexKit research, K-12 curriculum, and outreach with REU and RET] under their supervision and assists Director in planning and budgeting for department. 

5% - Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned

What we need:

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience.

What is helpful:

• Masters or Doctoral Degree and more than six years related experience in engineering education, STEM education, workforce development, establishing relationships with external partners, or teaching and learning in higher education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. 

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database applications, social media, marketing, and artificial intelligence tools 

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding. 
• Teaching or facilitation experience.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory, pedagogical practices, and teaching
• Strong grasp of best practices and research in learning and teaching in workforce development
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate programs
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a variety of people and stakeholders
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
• Knowledge of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary programs

Work Location:

• Main Campus – College Station, TX.

About Mechanical Engineering

The J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University is a national and international leader in mechanical engineering education. Our scholarship, research, and service to our communities are supported by recruiting and nurturing top students, faculty, and staff passionate about learning, advancing human knowledge, and making high-impact contributions to society.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
• Letter of interest (dependent upon position)

Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered.

Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Offer total rewards, flexible benefits, professional development, performance recognition and work-life balance.
• Ensure resources are readily available and utilized to attract and retain the highest quality researchers, faculty, and staff.

Employment Eligibility Verification

• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present original and unexpired documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.