Associate Director of Energy & Construction Career Training

Would you like to share your passion and talent for construction with students and help grow a new academy to train up the next generation of our technical trades workforce? If so, then Kalamazoo Valley Community College may have a great opportunity for you.

About Us

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We offer associate degrees in more than 60 areas of study and 50 certificate programs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow, and thrive.

About the Opportunity

Kalamazoo Valley is seeking an Associate Director of Energy & Construction Career Training. This position will require a highly skilled and safety-driven professional to lead the instruction and development of our Construction Academy. This position demands a high level of technical expertise, physical capability and instructional leadership in two of the most demanding and safety-critical sectors of the energy industry.

The successful candidate will begin by designing and implementing a comprehensive curriculum for the Construction Academy, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy and green systems. This includes instruction in fall protection, system sizing, installation techniques and electrical safety protocols with precision, deep technical knowledge and strict adherence to life safety standards.

Essential Job Functions

* Manages one or more direct reports, participates in the hiring process, ensures appropriate onboarding, training, coaching and discipline, and through collaboration with the Human Resources Department, develops and implements effective supervisory practices.

* Develops and delivers highly technical training in construction including renewable energy and green systems, automation, communications and safety training related to electrical, heights and confined spaces.

* Serves as a strategic link between operational execution and stakeholder expectations, ensuring training remains responsive, rigorous and aligned with industry learning and development needs.

* Provides instruction within academy and/or corporate training model with classroom instruction, hands-on lab activities and experience in the field.

* Contributes to budget planning and provides ongoing oversight to ensure expenditures align with program priorities and institutional guidelines.

* Oversees the use of heavy machinery and technical software applications, including training others in their operation, maintenance and safe use both in the lab during training and during live situations, to meet safety standards and mitigate the high degree of risk that is routine within the field.

* Collects, interprets and presents complex data sets related to program performance, safety metrics and technical operations and makes recommendations on new or continuing programming.

* Works with lab manager to acquire needed materials and equipment and to ensure that equipment is inspected at the required intervals and well maintained.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

Required

* Knowledge of principles, practices and safety requirements for all technical modules being taught.

* Knowledge of functions, operations and/or maintenance of technical equipment being used.

* Skill in coordinating the work of others.

* Skill in short and long range planning.

* Skill in working with tools and equipment commonly found within general industry.

* Skill in problem solving and troubleshooting in critical response situations.

* Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.

* Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

* Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.

* Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other personnel and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate's degree and four (4) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of training, education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications and

Experience:

Physical Demands:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy work which requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an extremely demanding environment with a high risk of injury. This position requires physical ability to work in any weather conditions and must be able to travel for extended periods of time away from home. The work is typically performed while intermittently standing, stooping, walking, bending, or crouching. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, and uses tools or equipment…