POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director, Distance Programs and Policy
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2586
GRADE 46
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Provost for Access and Outreach
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director, Distance Programs and Policy provides leadership for online programs, courses, and online video initiatives. The director reviews proposals for new online courses and assists deans and department heads with the development and marketing of fully distance programs. The Director, Distance Programs and Policy researches new developments and trends in distance delivery, assures compliance with legal requirements and accreditation standards for distance courses, and recommends and implements distance education policy changes for compliance and best practices. The Director, Distance Programs and Policy conducts data analysis for University and state authorization reciprocity agreement (SARA) reporting and ensures distance education web resources are up-to-date and fully accessible to users.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master’s degree is required.
Experience: Five years of experience in distance delivery of instruction is required.
Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and decision-making skills are required. Attention to detail is required. The ability to solve problems and to think critically and independently in order to organize and complete the workload is required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and advanced Excel skills are required. Familiarity with learning management systems, database reporting systems, video editing software, cloud video hosting software and web-conferencing software is required. An understanding of teaching and learning theory, assessment, and data analysis is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: Occasional out of town travel may be required to engage in professional development. The scope of the job may require some evening and weekend work.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Works with faculty and administrators on planning, developing, marketing, and assessing distance courses and programs and engages in process improvements.
2. Provides program administration services by overseeing the administration of the budget, overseeing program development, supporting colleges and administrators in building and marketing distance education courses and degree programs, assisting department heads and deans in distance course evaluation and review, researching and making best practices and compliance recommendations with regard to pedagogy, technology, and website updates and reviews, and serving on committees as required.
3. Tracks online program deployment and informs university offices as needed and establishes a process for online course proposals, reviews faculty submissions, and communicates outcomes.
4. Researches new developments, best practices, and accreditation compliance issues related to distance courses, makes recommendations regarding policy changes, and communicates and implements policy changes.
5. Works cooperatively with colleagues and staff from various campus organizational units such as college deans, academic and administrative department heads, faculty, support staff, technical specialists, and others to provide direction in distance education.
6. Uses creative problem solving to identify and remove barriers for distance students to allow full participation in the university community with assurances that distance delivery is consistent.
7. Collects, analyzes and interprets data relative to distance delivery.
8. Ensures timely completion of SARA renewal and data requirements, national surveys, and other required reporting.
9. Provides direction in the development of online-video courses with stakeholders, promotes the delivery across the university, oversees financial reporting for course and revenue sharing, and determines ways to increase participation.
10. Creates and updates support resources for distance faculty and students and responds to questions and concerns.
11. Designs, updates, and reviews distance education websites and marketing materials related to user experience, accessibility, and content.
12. Monitors evaluation needs for distance courses and collaborates with colleges and departments to meet those needs.
13. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
14. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, and attending professional development courses and attending training and/or courses as required by the supervisor.
15. Contributes to the overall success of Outreach by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Director, Distance Programs and Policy is supervised by the Associate Provost for Access and Outreach and supervises full time staff, graduate assistants, and student workers.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2021
