Department Chair, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs

Job Description:

Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School

Education

Department Chair, Early Childhood Education

Full-time

Salary: $81,280.00 - $106,036.96

Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School is recruiting a Department Chair, Early Childhood Education for their campus in Pasadena, California.

About Pacific Oaks College and Children's School

Pacific Oaks College and Children's School, located in Pasadena, California, is a nonprofit institution rooted in Quaker values and a strong social justice heritage. The College offers bachelor’s, master’s, a doctorate, and certificate programs in education, human development, counseling, and related fields, while the Children’s School is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in anti-bias education, emergent curriculum, and peaceful conflict resolution. Together, they foster inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that honor the unique potential of every individual. Employees join a mission-driven community committed to respect, diversity, social justice, and lifelong learning.

About the Position

The Department Chair of Early Childhood Education provides academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for Pacific Oaks College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) department, including undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Chair is responsible for advancing academic excellence, faculty leadership, enrollment sustainability, curriculum innovation, and student success outcomes aligned with the College’s mission and social justice framework.

The Department Chair leads departmental planning, assessment, accreditation readiness, and operational effectiveness while fostering a collaborative academic culture that supports teaching excellence, scholarship, and inclusive educational practice. The Chair serves as the primary academic leader for Early Childhood Education programs and collaborates across institutional divisions to strengthen program quality, workforce relevance, and institutional growth.

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership & Department Administration

• Provide overall leadership and direction for Early Childhood Education academic programs.
• Establish departmental goals aligned with institutional strategic priorities and Academic Affairs initiatives.
• Oversee scheduling, course offerings, faculty workload assignments, and program operations.
• Ensure academic policies and procedures are implemented consistently across programs.

Faculty Supervision & Development

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate full-time and adjunct faculty.
• Lead faculty recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative academic culture grounded in equity, inclusion, and shared governance.
• Support instructional excellence and innovation in teaching modalities.

Curriculum Oversight & Program Quality

• Lead curriculum development, revision, and approval processes.
• Ensure alignment with accreditation, licensure, and professional standards.
• Promote innovative and culturally responsive pedagogical practices.
• Monitor academic rigor and student learning outcomes across programs.

Assessment, Accreditation & Continuous Improvement

• Direct departmental assessment and program review processes.
• Analyze retention, completion, and learning outcomes data to inform improvements.
• Ensure readiness for accreditation reviews and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare departmental reports for Academic Affairs leadership.

Enrollment Strategy & Student Success

• Collaborate with Admissions, Marketing, and Student Services to support recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Monitor enrollment trends and implement strategies supporting program sustainability.
• Promote student persistence, completion, and career readiness outcomes.

Institutional Collaboration & External Engagement

• Represent the department in Academic Affairs councils, committees, and institutional initiatives.
• Develop partnerships with schools, agencies, and community organizations supporting fieldwork and workforce pathways.
• Serve as an academic ambassador for Early Childhood Education programs regionally and nationally.

Budget & Resource Management

• Manage departmental resources and participate in annual budget planning.
• Ensure responsible allocation of instructional and operational resources.

Minimum Qualifications

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