Director of Design-Build Program (Lecturer Calendar Year)

University of Massachusetts Amherst•Amherst, MA

59d•$80,117 - $118,067•Onsite

About The Position

The Building and Construction Technology Program (in the Department of Environmental Conservation) and the Department of Architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time lecturer position to be the director and primary instructor for the UMass DesignBuild program. The successful candidate will provide the core organizational, administrative, and instructional role in the UMass DesignBuild program, which is a service-learning effort that allows students from multiple disciplines to construct a small house or other project each year as an academic exercise and then provide that structure to a local community partner and/or the University for their affordable housing efforts. It is a co-operative effort by the Building and Construction Technology program in the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Architecture, and the Five Colleges Architectural Studies program. Successful candidates will have a strong interest in design-build pedagogy and experience in both architectural design and full-scale construction. This position is a calendar year Lecturer (100% appointment, 12 months), joint hire between the Department of Environmental Conservation (ECO) as primary department and the Department of Architecture as secondary. The initial appointment will be for two years but is renewable based on performance and program need. The successful candidate will be a core faculty member of the Building and Construction Technology (BCT) Program in the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Architecture, and will interface with other academic groups at UMass and industry throughout the region. The ECO and Architecture departments and UMass Amherst place special emphasis on faculty-student interactions and a commitment to teaching and mentoring. We value the retention of new faculty, and the successful candidate will be provided with a departmental mentoring committee and have access to extensive university programs and mutual mentoring opportunities through the Colleges of Natural Sciences and Humanities and Fine Arts and the University's Office of Faculty Development. The presumed start date is September 1, 2026.

Requirements

Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. architecture, building science, construction technology, construction management, civil engineering, or similar).
Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts or equivalent (by the time of hire).
OSHA 10 Safety License (by the time of hire).
Previous onsite experience in light-frame construction.
Previous teaching experience in construction and/or design programs.

Nice To Haves

Architect license in Massachusetts (by the time of hire).
OSHA 30 safety license.

Responsibilities

Teaching a 6 credit undergraduate and graduate level DesignBuild design studio that leads to the construction documents for the upcoming project.
Instructor for two 6 credit (each) DesignBuild build courses during which the structure will be built.
Teaching the BCT 313 course (3 cr.) on light-frame, residential construction. This may coincide with instructional duties for the completion of the design/build project.
Prepare UMass DesignBuild site in preparation for student arrival for the start of the Build, i.e., tools, materials, construction equipment, safety equipment, etc.
Procure all materials and equipment necessary for the build.
Instruct students in all aspects of construction procedures including both tool and job site safety.
Communicate and coordinate as necessary with assorted code officials, municipal authorities, specialty contractors, and materials suppliers.
Complete construction as needed following the conclusion of the summer build courses, and ensure delivery to community partner.
Solicitiation and procurement of projects for the DesignBuild program.
Negotiations and agreements with community partners, the University, and/or other potential collaborators for DesignBuild projects.
Fundraising for the projects and in support of the grant-funded faculty position.
Overseeing program and construction finances and interfacing with University accountants.
Interfacing with UMass Legal as necessary for annual agreements with recipients of DesignBuild projects, and managing agreements between all involved parties.
Student recruitment.
Outreach to media, donors, town officials, AEC professionals, faculty, UMass Administers, etc.
Campus construction site supervision (maintenance and updating).
Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.
Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS and HFA communities and across the campus to support the University's strategic priorities, especially as it pertains to experiential learning.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality, and inclusiveness.
Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.