Provost

JOB PURPOSE:  

The Provost takes broad responsibility for the planning, development and administration of the University’s educational programs, support services, operations and maintenance.  Provides leadership direction and advocacy for a comprehensive array of student affairs with the purpose of student success in meeting their educational goals.  Oversees all academic colleges, enrollment, graduate studies, student services, and institutional data and reporting.

This position description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required or assigned to this position.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oversees the overall academic integrity of the entire institution.
2. Develops and approves departmental plans, goals and objectives and ensures compliance to contractual obligations, requirements, and the strategic plan.
3. Achieves financial objectives by preparing and administering the operational budgets.
4. In consultation with faculty, officers and Regents, the Provost is responsible for all strategic plans and initiatives, and for coordinating institutional academic, financial and facilities planning.
5. Hosts regular staff meetings to ensure communication among personnel regarding departmental activities.
6. Oversees the supervision of staff, including work allocation, scheduling, training, and problem resolution.
7. Increases staff effectiveness by recruiting, hiring, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, evaluation and disciplining, and terminating personnel appropriately; communicates values, strategies, and objectives.
8. Obtains, develops and maintains necessary personnel, training, and equipment to achieve financial, operational, and compliance expectations.
9. Preparing and maintaining departmental budgets and oversee compliance throughout fiscal year; time keeping and approval.
10. Creates and enforces academic policies and operating procedures.
11. Provides leadership, vision, direction and advocacy for a comprehensive array of student affairs, which support completion and students’ success in meeting their educational goals.
12. Serves as Chief Academic Officer of the University; serves as Officer in Charge in the absence of the President
13. Participates as a member of the President’s Cabinet and assists the President and other senior managers in achieving priority institutional objectives identified in the University’s Strategic Plan
14. Creates the annual Operational Plan for the division of Academic and Student Affairs; oversees and guides the creation and implementation of annual operational plans for the Academic and Student Affairs leadership team and assists others in achieving priority institutional objectives; evaluates progress toward goals and objectives.
15. Prepares the annual budget for the division of Academic and Student Affairs, in line with the University’s strategic priorities.
16. Ensures that the activities of Academic and Student Affairs meet the requirements of the College’s accrediting and licensing agencies
17. Supports academic and student support services activities with initiatives and innovations in programs that respond in a timely manner to a rapidly changing environment.
18. Assists with major grant and funding agency reporting, including compilation of data and statistics.
19. Oversees the assessment of all academic and student affairs programs and services to measure and plan continuous improvement.
20. Reviews the program mix to ensure that academic programs that directly support the needs of the community are initiated and maintained.
21. Supports mutually beneficial partnerships between the University and business/industry, not-for-profit organizations and other educational institutions.
22. Provides leadership in the incorporation of instructional technologies to improve student learning.
23. Participates in student and staff disciplinary meetings.
24. Maintains regular communication and working relationship with other areas of the University, keeping them informed of current activities and working with them to achieve institutional priorities.
25. Reviews, signs, and provides final authorization for claim forms, travel requests, budget encumbrances, requests for temporary employees, equipment purchases, personal service agreements, etc.
26. Prepares an annual report on the activities of the Academic and Student Affairs area.
27. Contributes to the organization’s effectiveness by offering information and opinion as a member of the executive management team; integrating objectives with other functions; accomplishing related results as needed.
28. Maintains strict confidentiality of all privileged information.
29. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
30.  Performs other duties as assigned.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

1. Doctoral degree in Education, Administration, Student Affairs or related field.
2. Seven years progressive work experience in overseeing instructional, administrative, budgetary, and operational functions in higher education.
3. Five years in supervisory or management capacity. 
4. Valid and clean state driver’s license.
5. Must be able to pass background check, with NO prior convictions of any felonies and no history of child abuse and/or neglect.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions or transfers of individuals into this position.   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals, and objectives of higher education.
3. Knowledge and understanding of organizational performance benchmarking and measurement concepts, principles, and techniques.
4. Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
5. Knowledge of the development, preparation, and control of budgets.
6. Knowledge of managerial and statistical analysis techniques and reporting procedures.
7. Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
8. Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, presentation software (such as PowerPoint), and PC-based computerized accounting software.
9. Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
10. Skill in providing leadership to, supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
11. Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
12. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
13. Ability to create and present effective financial reports, speeches and presentations.
14. Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
15. Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.
16. Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
17. Ability to be persuasive and tactful in controversial situations.
18. Ability to manage a number of priorities simultaneously.
19. Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, tribal, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
20. Ability to ensure user compliance with the requirements of the contracts and grants.
21. Ability to communicate effectively in the Navajo and English language.
22. Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently sits.
2. Employee occasional must stand, walk, bend, stoop, and squat.
3. Use hands for dexterity of motion, repetitive movement of both hands.
4. Have normal auditory, visual acuity, and verbal communications skills. 
5. The employee must occasionally carry up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Work is typically performed within an office.
2. Travel is required.
3. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. 
4. Evening and/or weekend work may be required.  Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.