Program Director of Occupational Therapy; MOT & OTD

Program Director of Occupational Therapy (MOT & OTD)

The program director for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs at Samuel Merritt University is responsible for the administration, academic programming, and academic leadership. The program director oversees overall planning of the curriculum, maintains standards for professional accreditation, manages the budget, recruits faculty, staff, and students, and maintains effective communication and professional development. This position includes both administrative and teaching functions.

• Financial Management (5%): Participates in budgetary management with responsibility for decision‑making at the program level, monitors finances in relation to budget allocations and corrects variances as they arise. Oversees ordering of equipment, supplies, teaching materials, and equipment for the department.
• Planning (15%): Develops and maintains the OTD & MOT degree programs that integrate critical thinking, research skills, and professional competencies meeting ACOTE standards. Focuses on design, delivery, and continuous improvement of the curriculum. Monitors course content, sequencing, and learning outcomes. Implements strategic priorities and plans faculty meetings and committee assignments.
• Student Support (10%): Directly supports student recruitment, selection, advising, progression, and outcomes. Engages closely with students from admission through graduation, ensuring licensure requirements are met. Works with enrollment management team in recruiting and selecting qualified applicants.
• Physical Facilities (5%): Oversees adequacy of classrooms, laboratories, offices, and storage space.
• Human Resources (10%): Coordinates courses with faculty, assures diverse faculty complement, recommends teaching assignments, supplies input on faculty hiring and evaluation, supervises staff, completes performance evaluations, assists faculty in professional development planning.
• Reports and Documentation (5%): Complies with accreditation policies and procedures, creates and maintains program strategic plan, responsible for accreditation reporting (self‑studies, site visits, reports).
• Teaching, Scholarship and Service (50%): Teaches in area of expertise, engages in scholarly activity, participates in departmental, college, community and professional activities, and professional organization membership.

• Earned doctorate.
• California state occupational therapy license.
• Minimum 8 years documented experience in occupational therapy including clinical practice.
• Administrative experience in program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
• Record of scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, teaching and learning).
• Understanding of occupational therapy assistant role.
• At least 4 years experience as a faculty member with post‑baccalaureate teaching experience.

• Knowledge and experience in administration, management, budget management, curriculum development and assessment, negotiation with stakeholders, computer and internet use, effective time management, and communication skills.
• Strong inter‑professional skills with peers and administration.

• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds, push, pull, kneel, and stoop.
• Move around campus to accomplish tasks.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers for computer use and handling materials.
• Read, write, compose, and edit complex documents.
• Sit doing deskwork for prolonged periods.
• Talk, express ideas verbally and in writing.
• Receive and interpret detailed information by verbal and written communication.

Employee Status: Regular

Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type: Full time

Pay Range: $105,000 to $135,000 (exempt). Compensation is determined based on faculty rank and other factors.