Director, Trades Institute

DEPARTMENT:

Trades Institute

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:

Professional 11. $70,000 - $85,000 salary depends on education and experience. Full-time, 12-mos., benefit eligible.

Unlock Exceptional Benefits at FVCC (Worth ~$25K)! You'll receive generous employer contributions towards your Health/Vision & Dental, up to 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 12 holidays. Plus, build your future with the Montana Teachers' Retirement System and a 403(b) match up to 7%. And that's not all - Public Loan Forgiveness plus invest in your continued education when you explore Tuition Waiver benefits for you and your dependents!

FLSA:

Exempt

CLOSING DATE:

Open until filled; however priority is given to application materials received by 06/26/2026.

SUMMARY

The Director collaborates with instructors, staff, and students in the development, oversight, and coordinated delivery of instruction and related activities in the Trades Institute. The Director ensures program quality, regulatory compliance, workforce relevance, student success, and fiscal stewardship.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Builds outstanding and sustainable Trades Institute (TI) programs
• Collaborates in the planning, development, and management of TI programs including, but not limited to, Electronics and Electrical, Plumbing, Industrial Machines, CDL, Welding and Fabrication, Firearms, Heavy Equipment Operators, and HVAC offered in Kalispell and the Libby Extension campus
• Coordinates academic scheduling of traditional and on-line course offerings and teaching assignments; participates in the development of the schedule and the college catalog; monitors course enrollments and program scheduling patterns for efficiency and access; coordinates course offerings between divisions to ensure student accessibility; manages the scheduling of efficient, effective classroom and instructor utilization
• Provides leadership, mentors and supervises staff including annual performance assessments; motivates and empowers staff to create environments that promote safety and innovation; sets standards for delivering quality education
• Serves as the contact for Trades Institute student concerns and issues
• In partnership with Academic Affairs, hires, supervises and evaluates adjuncts in assigned areas; provides information, advice, and orientation to prospective and current adjuncts regarding new or existing educational programs and college services
• Establishes and maintains strong collegial relationships and networks with staff, faculty, instructors, administrators, and community members
• Participates actively and with initiative in continuous improvement efforts to provide efficient, safe, and quality services; leads the review of processes; conducts or manages reports
• Researches, analyzes and resolves issues that arise and addresses them proactively
• Supports area in development of new programs; revision of and updating existing programs and curriculum; instructor development, and maintains active program advisory committees and supports program-wide Business and Industry convenings.
• Ensures course and program assessment activities are occurring in the divisions; ensures recommendations are addressed
• Oversees the development and management of assigned budget; assists areas in coordinating and scheduling purchasing, upgrading and replacing equipment
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current practices and trends in higher education, workforce and economic trends related to trades and industrial arts education
• Promotes excellence and best practices
• Meets with other college personnel for events, projects, planning, idea sharing, issue resolutions, operational communications, professional development, etc.
• Collaborates with other schools in Montana and the region to develop and share best practices for educating a competitive workforce
• Serves on or leads college-wide committees
• Provides support to the Executive Director of Workforce Development to ensure progress toward meeting departmental and college mission and goals and special projects; advises and participates in institutional planning; recruitment events (e.g, Night of the Trades, Business and Taste of the Trades), and coordinates areas of responsibility in support of the College's strategic plan
• Attends meetings and participates in student and/or program assessment as directed
• Remains current in practices, trends and research related to areas of assignment
• Attends related trainings, workshops, and professional development
• Cross trains to perform other departmental and team functions; backfills for staff as needed
• Actively participates in the development of a climate that promotes and supports innovation and efforts to continuously improve services to students, faculty, and the College
• Creates and maintains a collaborative and collegial environment with colleagues and maintains effective working relationships
• Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality of students in accordance with applicable laws and policies
• Advances the mission of FVCC by serving on or convening committees and contributing in the community in college-related activities
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Reports to Executive Director of Workforce Development

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a trades-related field, education or closely related discipline AND three years of progressively responsible work experience in a skilled trade, technical education, workforce training or related industry AND at least three (3) years in a supervisory, administrative, teaching/training, instructional leadership, or program management role; OR,
• Associate's degree from an accredited institution in a trades-related field, education or closely related discipline AND five years of progressively responsible work experience in a skilled trade, technical education, workforce training or related industry AND at least five (5) years in a supervisory, administrative, teaching/training, instructional leadership, or program management role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or master's degree or higher in education or closely related field
• Experience in leadership and instructional programming in trades field
• Experience teaching in higher education or industry training
• Experience and comprehensive knowledge of trades education delivery

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILIITES

• Ability and willingness to serve as a representative for the College by interacting appropriately with the public, donors, students, potential students and College community
• Ability to work within policies and procedures of FVCC
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with instructional programs and assessments.
• Working knowledge of use of technology and software in a learning environment
• Ability to work within policies and procedures of FVCC
• Ability and willingness to serve as an ambassador for the College by interacting appropriately with the college community and community
• Ability to maintain effective and positive professional relationships
• Ability to follow and issue directions
• Demonstrated communication, technology, presentation, customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds
• Ability to intermittently work non-traditional schedules including evenings, weekends, etc.
• Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance levels
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check
• Ability to respond in the event of an emergency
• This is a Medium Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry. Medium Duty involves exertion of 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must apply online at https://www.fvcc.edu/about/careers-at-fvcc; paper submission of applications or resume materials are not accepted for open positions. FVCC does not retain application materials for future consideration. Additionally, applicants are required to submit the following documents by uploading them to the online application:

• Letter of application indicating how you meet the minimum qualifications and detail your work experience as it relates to the position's Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; and
• A current, comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae; and,
• Unofficial transcripts for all degrees held AND/OR Professional Certifications (if more than one transcript or certification, combine and upload as one document). As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will submit official transcripts for all d degrees held and applicable certifications to FVCC HR prior hire. Only transcripts from accredited institutions will be accepted.), and
• Three professional references, with complete contact information, must be provided on the application form. Professional references must be individuals most familiar with applicant's work experience, skills, and work behaviors and supervisory experience. Do not list family and friends for professional references.

EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATIONS, REFERENCE CHECKS AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS: Prior to any offers of employment, FVCC conducts thorough employment verifications and reference checks and may contact organizations and individuals not listed on an applicant's application or resume. Additionally, FVCC conducts post-offer criminal background checks.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: FVCC is an equal opportunity employer. It is FVCC's policy that all individuals are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran's status, service in the uniformed services as defined by state and federal law, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry except as authorized by law. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs, as required by federal and state laws.

FVCC BOARD POLICY: The FVCC Board Policy Manual is available to review at https://www.fvcc.edu/about/board-administration/board-of-trustees/board-policies

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: FVCC provides reasonable accommodations upon request to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment including the application and selection process. No applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE ACT: Preference applies in hiring and provides a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified Veterans. Veterans' Preference laws do not, however, guarantee Veterans a job, nor do they give Veterans' preference in internal actions such as promotion, transfer, reassignment, and reinstatement. Applying for a preference is voluntary and that all information related to a preference is confidential and used only during the hiring process; the information will be maintained in a separate confidential file. To claim Veterans' Preference, you must complete the Veterans' Preference Form (form is available at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) and email it along with document(s) that verify your eligibility for employment preference to HR@fvcc.edu. Claims for Veterans' preference must be received by Human Resources prior to position closing date.

WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION: Based on the Windfall Elimination Provision, FVCC employment may not be covered by Social Security. To learn more about the Windfall Elimination Provision click https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.