AT - Program Director - CDL

Ancora Education•Richmond, VA

12d

About The Position

The CDL Program Director reports to the Area Manager/Regional Program Director and provides leadership for the CDL program. The role serves as a subject matter expert, participates in curriculum development and implementation, supports student recruitment and orientation, and provides product knowledge training to Account Management and Career Services personnel. The director hires, orients, develops, evaluates, and supports Driver Trainers; convenes regular faculty meetings; monitors student progress and engagement; and advises students or connects them with appropriate support and resources. The role supports student retention by identifying students who may be at risk, contacting students about absences or barriers to success, coordinating tutoring and referrals, maintaining records of student interactions, and responding to student concerns. The director oversees curriculum, instructional materials, equipment, facilities, faculty performance and development, and program scheduling. The director also contributes to program budgets when applicable, regulatory and accreditation reporting, campus effectiveness planning, and continuous improvement through program data collection and analysis. The position performs all duties of a full-time Driver Trainer. The job includes physical demonstrations of CDL skills and may involve climbing in and out of truck cabs, conducting vehicle inspections, handling training and safety equipment, and training outdoors in varying weather. The role requires maintaining a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate and meeting DOT physical qualifications required to hold a CDL, with or without reasonable accommodations. The stated work environment is usually not exposed to weather, and its noise level is usually moderate; however, training duties may include outdoor work in extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Industry certification in the field of instruction if required by the industry, or demonstrated knowledge equivalent to the certification.
CDL Class A license with at least 3 years of driving experience.
5 years of industry experience in the field of instruction.
2 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
Knowledge of faculty development requirements, delivery methods, and reporting.
Knowledge of industry standards and requirements within the field of instruction.
Knowledge of and ability to facilitate learning on course content within the field of instruction.
Ability to develop and use collaborative relationships to accomplish work objectives.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills for positive interactions with students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
Creative and problem-solving skills in dealing with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff.
Presentation skills and ability to present ideas effectively to individuals or groups in a formal setting.
Management skills in planning, organizing, controlling, and evaluating programs and policies in a dynamic environment.
Knowledge of federal FMCSA and state Department of Motor Vehicle standards.
Ability to meet the physical demands described, including demonstrating CDL skills and sustaining activity and alertness during driving and instructional periods.
Must possess and maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate and meet DOT physical qualifications required to hold a CDL, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or higher, documented specialized competency within the field of instruction, or equivalent work experience in the field of instruction.
5 years of experience in academic instruction in a post-secondary environment.
10 years of experience in the field of instruction.
Working knowledge of federal and state government education regulations.
3 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
Previous experience as an academic program director.
Experience in student guidance or related fields.
Working knowledge of federal and state government regulations.

Responsibilities

Provide academic advising, tutoring arrangements, referrals, and retention support to students in the program.
Maintain regular contact with students, respond to questions and concerns, follow up on absences and missed contacts, and document student interactions.
Monitor student progress and Driver Trainer contact with students; identify students at risk and help address barriers to success.
Serve as a subject matter expert for the CDL curriculum and participate in curriculum development, revision, and implementation.
Provide input on course sequencing, offerings, room assignments, and Driver Trainer teaching assignments for the master schedule.
Recruit, interview, hire, orient, supervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop Driver Trainers, in coordination with the Area Manager/Regional Program Director.
Ensure Driver Trainers meet administrative and instructional requirements and that faculty files and performance documentation are complete.
Observe classes, coach Driver Trainers, conduct performance appraisals, and recommend improvements and professional development.
Conduct regular weekly day and evening faculty meetings, document meetings, and address instructional and program improvements.
Provide product knowledge training and program information to Account Management and Career Services personnel, and assist with student recruitment as requested.
Maintain current knowledge of federal and state regulations and accreditation standards; participate in government and accreditation reporting.
Collect and analyze program performance data and contribute to campus effectiveness planning and continuous program improvement.
Address personnel issues among program-area Driver Trainers and collaborate with other departments and colleagues.
Assist with program budget planning when applicable.
Perform all duties of a full-time Driver Trainer, including physically demonstrating CDL skills.