Location: Spokane Community College Colville Campus (Northern Counties)

Department: SCC Rural Education

Salary Range: $122,014  - $137,249

Starting salary for this position is: $122,014 (Annually)

The salary range represents the earning potential for this position, through training, evaluations and years spent working in this position with Spokane Colleges.

About Us 

We are deeply committed to expanding access to education, advancing equity, and strengthening economic vitality throughout Eastern Washington - particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Our rural campuses in Colville, Newport, Inchelium, and Republic play a vital role in delivering transfer education, workforce training, adult education, and wraparound student support services.

Spokane Community College is proud of its strong partnerships with local communities, Tribal nations, K–12 systems, and industry. These relationships allow us to design responsive, culturally-grounded programs that support student success while strengthening rural economies.

This newly imagined Division of Rural Education is the result of Spokane Community College’s vision to invest in the future of rural education in our service region. The Dean of Rural Education is a new position which aligns with our commitment to serving the needs of our Northern County communities through high-quality, innovative education, and workforce development initiatives.

Spokane Community College invites applications for a visionary, collaborative, and community-engaged Dean of Rural Education.

This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of rural education at one of Washington’s most student-focused institutions. The Dean will champion and expand academic excellence, faculty and staff development, inclusive student success, and community partnership ensuring that rural learners have access to high-quality, relevant, and transformative educational opportunities.

A central focus of this position is collaboration with local business and community leaders in Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties, as well as nurturing our deep partnership with Tribal nations and Tribal education leaders. The Dean will help co-create culturally responsive, community-driven educational pathways that honor local knowledge, support workforce readiness, and expand opportunities for rural and Tribal communities.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader who is passionate about access, equity, collaboration, and innovation—and who is inspired by SCC’s mission “to provide all students an excellent education that transforms their lives and expands their opportunities.”

Job Summary

Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. PST on 03/31/2026. The application process will not be available after this time. To ensure consideration make sure your application is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Applications will only be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. on the closing date.

About the Dean of Rural Education

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting jointly to the Vice President of Instruction and the Vice President of Student Services, the Dean of Rural Education provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a diverse and impactful division serving Spokane Community College’s four rural campuses, Colville, Newport, Inchelium, and Republic.

This position is located in Colville with the expectation that the Dean will travel frequently throughout the Northern Counties to the other rural campuses. The Dean of Rural Education will also work closely with the deans and directors located on the Spokane Community College (SCC) campus in Spokane on the delivery of shared programming and execution of student services.

The Dean of Rural Education will lead and grow initiatives spanning:

• Transfer education
• Workforce programming (including manufacturing, welding, and allied health pathways)
• Pre-nursing and general education coursework
• Adult education, including SCC’s innovative High School+ College program
• Student services and essential academic support

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and support division faculty in innovative curriculum design, assessment, program review, Guided Pathways implementation, and accreditation activities. *
• Serve as a strong advocate for rural education, communicating divisional priorities and opportunities to college leadership. *
• Align divisional goals with institutional strategic plans and rural community needs. *
• Foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making, continuous assessment, and inclusive excellence. *
• Collaborate with Workforce Development to design short-term training programs responsive to local labor market needs. *
• Build and sustain partnerships with Tribal nations, industry leaders, economic development agencies, and community organizations. *
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in rural education and workforce development.
• Ensure compliance with district policies, collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal regulations. *

Operational & Supervisory Leadership

• Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain a diverse and talented team of faculty and staff. *
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, and respect; foster collaboration, trust, and positive labor relations. *
• Support professional development, instructional innovation, and student achievement initiatives. *
• Prepare and manage divisional budgets; allocate resources strategically. *
• Oversee course scheduling and multiple delivery models, including online, hybrid, evening, weekend, and multi-campus instruction. *
• Lead change initiatives and guide the division through growth and transformation. *

Academic and Student Support

• Develop and implement a strategic enrollment management plan focused on recruitment, advising, retention, and completion. *
• Champion student-centered practices that reduce barriers and promote equitable outcomes for rural learners. *
• Strengthen collaboration with student services and community resource partners to provide seamless support. *
• Promote innovative instructional delivery models that expand access and flexibility for students. *
• Ensure consistent evaluation and improvement of academic and support programs. *

Collaboration and Communication

• Represent the division at college, district, community, state, and national forums. *
• Build strong pipelines and pathways through K–12 partnerships, adult education, dual-credit programs, workforce training, and university transfer agreements. *
• Serve as a visible advocate for rural education and rural learners. *
• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners to advance student success and community impact. *
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions. *
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements. *
• Support and advance Spokane Colleges’ strategic plan and perform other duties as assigned. *

* Indicates this is an essential duty.

COMPETENCIES

• Student-Centered
• Strategic Mindset
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability
• Action Oriented
• Cultivated Innovation
• Drives Results
• Builds Effective Teams
• Builds Networks
• Nimble Learning
• Situational Adaptability
• Manages Conflict

Learn more about our competencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience in K-12, higher education, community or business organization (e.g., as department chair, program director, etc.).
• Demonstrated effectiveness in one or more of the following areas:
  • academic program development
  • student services program development
  • workforce and economic development
  • community development
• Demonstrated systemic innovation that has increased organization capacity (i.e., increased enrollment, increased revenue, etc.).
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience working with underserved, non-traditional rural communities that demonstrates commitment to inclusive excellence.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Teaching or training experience.
• Budget management experience.
• Experience overseeing facilities (shops, classrooms, gym, conference rooms, kitchen areas).
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Grant oversight experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and background noise.
• Work is frequently sedentary.
• Occasional to frequent change in position from sitting, standing, and walking.
• Work directly with students/clients.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Contract 12-month position.
• Position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Requires regional travel between campuses (Colville, Newport, Inchelium, Republic, Spokane).
• Requires use of a personal vehicle for travel.
• Criminal background check is required.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Spokane Colleges maintain a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.  

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. Once an applicant is chosen for a position, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Benefits Information

This is a contracted, exempt management position. Medical, dental life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board; TIAA-Cref retirement plan or WA State Retirement Plan. Vacation leave accrues at the rate of 14.67 hours per month (22 days per year) and sick leave accrues at the rate of 8 hours per month, effective upon employment. (For positions that are less than full time, leave accruals will be prorated to the percentage of the position.)

Public Employees Benefits Board

Additional benefits information

Required Application Materials

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• Cover letter - addressing your qualifications relevant to the responsibilities of this position.
  
• Resume.
  
• References – the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references.
• College transcript(s) if applicable - unofficial/copies of transcripts are acceptable; official transcripts are required upon hire.

For questions regarding a job application or the hiring process, or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at CCS.Recruiter@ccs.spokane.edu 

Equal Opportunity Institution

Spokane Colleges provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. This policy is in accordance with state and federal laws including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access, Title IX, ADA, equal opportunity compliance, and/or grievances to:
Frederick Davis, MA
Chief Human Resources Officer
Spokane Colleges
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040 / ccs.titleix@ccs.spokane.edu.