Dean of Work

Paul Smith's College • Paul Smiths, NY

8d

About The Position

Paul Smith’s College is hiring a Dean of Work to direct its comprehensive Work Experience Program and align campus employment with hands-on academic curricula. This newly created, 12-month administrator position provides strategic and operational leadership for student labor and experiential work programs across the College’s 13,000-acre Adirondack campus. The role ensures student employment serves as a co-curricular experience that fosters work ethic, professional competency, and financial self-reliance. It is a cabinet-level position in the Office of the President and reports directly to the President.

The Dean of Work will develop and scale a unified student work program that connects campus operational needs—including forestry, culinary, hospitality, and research—with intentional learning outcomes and Federal Work College regulations. The role oversees student placements, performance assessment, retention impact, the student Work Transcript, employment budgets, and compliance with federal and state labor standards. The Dean also cultivates partnerships to expand micro-credentialing and hands-on skill acquisition and develops external-facing student enterprises in collaboration with the Office of Strategic Initiatives.

Paul Smith’s College is located in New York’s Adirondack Park and offers experiential education in areas including environmental studies, forestry, hospitality, culinary arts, natural sciences, and sustainability. The College describes its approach as blending academic rigor with real-world application and preparing students for meaningful careers, sustainable communities, and a resilient planet.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Management, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, experiential education, or operational management.
• Strong understanding of student development theory, labor management, budget oversight, and small-campus operations.
• Deep appreciation for hands-on, place-based education within a rural, residential forest setting.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate degree preferred.
• Prior experience at a federally recognized Work College.

Responsibilities

• Design and scale a unified student work program that connects campus operational needs with intentional learning outcomes and complies with Federal Work College regulations.
• Oversee the placement, tracking, and evaluation of student workers in partnership with campus work crew supervisors.
• Monitor student labor performance and retention impact.
• Oversee development and implementation of a student Work Transcript.
• Manage student employment budgets and ensure adherence to federal and state labor standards.
• Cultivate internal and external partnerships to expand micro-credentialing and hands-on skill acquisition.
• Develop external-facing student enterprises in collaboration with the Office of Strategic Initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director