Interim Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities

Location Type: On-site

 

Salary : $102,676.00 – $115,510.00 Annually
Location : Bremerton, WA
Job Type: Administrative/Exempt
Job Number: 25-26-E1
Department: Instruction
Opening Date: 07/11/2025
Closing Date: 7/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Interim Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities

Salary: $102,676 – $115,510

Classification: Administrative/Exempt

Reports to: Vice-President for Instruction

Olympic College seeks an Interim Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities for a 12-to-18-month appointment. The successful applicant will have a record of inclusive, equity-minded academic leadership; program and curriculum development and assessment; and faculty mentorship.

This position is fully in-person at the Olympic College Bremerton Campus.
About Olympic College

Founded in 1946, Olympic College is a comprehensive community college on the Kitsap Peninsula, across the Puget Sound from Seattle, WA. We serve Kitsap and Mason Counties with campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Shelton. We offer academic transfer and workforce education degrees and certificates; four applied baccalaureate degrees; Transitional Studies including Adult Basic Education, high school completion alternatives, Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); and community education. Through a national award-winning partnership with the Navy, we offer an Apprenticeship School at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

Olympic College enrolls a racially and socioeconomically diverse student body of approximately 8,500 students annually, including a growing number of international students, Running Start, and students affiliated with partner institutions of higher education. Among them.

• 3% identify as African American
• 5%, as Hispanic/Latino
• 1%, as Native American/Alaska
• 1%, as Native Hawaiian/Pacific (Native)
• 7 %, as Asian (Islander)
• 59%, as White
• 15% as multiracial

Approximately 8% of the student population is active-duty military and 23% of the student population is military affiliated including, veterans, and dependents, making Olympic College home to the second largest military-connected student body of any college or university in Washington state.

The College is committed to advancing excellence by leading with racial equity to maximize student potential across all populations, including racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, sexual identity, gender identity, and differing ability. We are actively engaged in Guided Pathways reforms, with a focus on closing equity gaps. The Dean for Social Sciences and Humanities will have a strong role in this work in their division, and in the implementation of inclusive pedagogy and diversification of the curriculum. This work will maintain a focus on revamping curriculum, program innovation, course development, and learning assessment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a track record of employing culturally responsive pedagogy, utilizing aggregated and disaggregated data to guide instruction and budgeting, advancing faculty and staff diversity, effective collaboration with internal and external partners, and teaching and mentoring minoritized and historically marginalized student populations.
Olympic College Locations

Olympic College is ideally located in the Pacific Northwest on the Kitsap Peninsula and serves nearly 300,000 residents in Kitsap and Mason counties.

The college’s main campus is in Bremerton, a short ferry ride from Seattle, the economic and cultural center of our state and not far from Olympic National Park. The campus features state-of-the art facilities centrally located close to Bremerton’s growing downtown with a thriving artistic and cultural community.

Poulsbo, located in the north end of Kitsap County, has an area of 4.5 square miles and a population of approximately 12,000 residents. Nestled in a valley between the majestic Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, this historically Norwegian community is commonly referred to as “Little Norway on the Fjord,” and features breathtaking scenery and numerous attractions. The College’s Poulsbo Campusis situated on 20 acres of land and is conveniently located for residents of Bainbridge Island and the northern part of Kitsap Peninsula.

Shelton is the county seat of Mason County and is the western most city on Puget Sound with approximately 10,000 residents. Situated on 27 acres of land, the Shelton Campus offers computer labs, a media center, student services, study and social areas, and the Johnson Library.

Position Overview

Interim Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities

Olympic College’s Interim Dean of Social Science and Humanities is a key administrative role, responsible for leading instructional programs and services within the SSH division. The position supports faculty, students, and staff in achieving academic and institutional goals. The Interim Dean ensures effective communications, oversees division budgets, and implements instructional policies and procedures, while fostering collaboration within the college and with external institutions.

The SSH Division office is supported by a dedicated team, including a Division Assistant, Division Outreach Coordinator, and Division Faculty Lead(s). The Interim Dean supervises faculty and staff across several academic disciplines, including:

• American Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Anthropology
• Art
• ASL
• Communication Studies
• Drama
• Early Childhood Education
• Education
• English
• Film
• History
• Human Services
• Music
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• World Languages (French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish)

Additionally, the Interim Dean oversees several associate degrees and two Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.
Essential Functions
The duties outlined below are illustrative and not exhaustive.

Leadership and Strategic Alignment

• Provide visionary leadership for SSH initiatives aligned with college and academic strategic priorities.
• Advocate for SSH faculty, students, and resources to support institutional goals.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

• Utilize enrollment, retention, transfer, and student outcomes data to guide decisions on scheduling, curriculum, and resource allocation.

Faculty and Staff Development

• Mentor faculty on inclusive pedagogy, assessment strategies, and high-impact teaching practices.
• Supervise and support full-time and adjunct faculty, as well as classified and hourly staff.
• Manage tenure processes and ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements.

Collaboration and Communication

• Act as a liaison between the division and other college units.
• Engage in college-wide initiatives, including accreditation, strategic planning, and shared governance.

Program Management

• Oversee SSH curriculum development, program offerings, and partnerships with external organizations.
• Encourage and support faculty on SSH-related grant proposals.

Operational Oversight

• Recruit, hire, and retain diverse, highly qualified division personnel.
• Manage division budgets and resources.
• Ensure instructional spaces meet the needs of faculty and students.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• 2 years of combined administrative experience such as Dean or Associate Dean, Director, Department Chair, or Program Coordinator.
• College teaching experience

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Community college teaching or administrative experience.
• Teaching experience in an SSH division discipline.
• Leadership experience in accreditation and/or academic program assessment.
• Experience formally supervising faculty.
• Expertise in budget development and management.

Commitment to Mission and Equity

• Embody the values and mission of Olympic College.
• Advance culturally responsive teaching and high-impact practices.

Leadership and Management

• Plan and evaluate programs effectively.
• Exercise sound judgment and foster collaboration in a shared governance environment.

Communication and Collaboration

• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Build relationships across diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Cultural Competence and Inclusivity

• Model and promote multicultural understanding and inclusivity.
• Mentor faculty and staff to support historically marginalized student populations.

Innovation and Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement forward-thinking strategies for SSH programs.
• Embrace emerging educational technologies and innovative teaching practices.

Additional Information
Terms of Employment

FLSA Exempt | Reports to the Vice-President for Instruction
This is a full-time interim exempt position lasting 12 to 18 months, scheduled to work Monday through Friday on the Bremerton Campus. The salary for this position has a range of $102,676 – $115,510 DOE annually, which includes a generous benefits package that includes the following.
Medical/vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental dismemberment, Flexible Spending Arrangement, Dependent Care Assistance Program, Wellness Programs, SBRP retirement plan administered by TIAA, Deferred Compensation Program (DRS) retirement savings plan; TIAA supplemental retirement savings plan, 11 paid holidays, leave – vacation/sick/personal holiday, Aflac, auto/home insurance, space available tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center, reduced rate and priority consideration on-site child care on a space available.
For more information regarding benefits, please visit our website here.
Conditions of Employment

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will be required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form as required WB HB 2327.

• Olympic College seeks candidates for employment who share our commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive learning environment (read our Equity Statement). All applicants are required to submit a statement of 500 words or less, describing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the higher education environment and their prior, current, and/or potential contribution(s) to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as an employee.

How To Apply
To be considered for this position a candidate must apply online through the Olympic College website and submit the following required materials:

• Olympic College Online Application
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter – in your cover letter describing how your background and experience sets you apart for this position.
• Unofficial college transcripts. Official transcripts and copies of mandated certifications will be required of the successful candidate.
• Olympic College seeks candidates for employment who share our commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive learning environment (read our Equity Statement). All applicants are required to submit a statement of 500 words or less, describing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the higher education environment and their prior, current, and/or potential contribution(s) to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as an employee.

EEO Statement
Olympic College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Olympic College Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed or modified without notice.
Benefits include vacation, sick leave; medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; retirement; and tuition waiver.
01

What is your highest level of education?

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degree

02

Describe your area(s) of study.
03

Do you have college teaching experience?

• Yes
• No

04

Please indicate your full-time equivalent (FTE) experience supervising faculty

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 – 2 years
• 2 – 5 years
• More than 5 years

05

Please describe your leadership experience including your accomplishments relative to student success, closing equity gaps and aligning and integrating services with instructional programs.
06

What describes your administrative experience, such as Dean or Associate Dean, Director, Department Chair, or Program Coordinator?

• None
• 1 – 2 years
• 2 – 4 years
• 4+ years

Required Question