NLC-2281: Chair, Trades & Resource Technology

Additional Information:

For over 50 years, the Northern Lakes College vision has been to increase accessibility to educational opportunities. With 25 locations across northern Alberta, program sites throughout Alberta, and a unique Supported Distance Learning model, students can access quality educational opportunities without leaving their community. Students can study from the comforts of home, work, on the road, or from one of the many College locations. Northern Lakes College offers a variety of university transfer, diploma, and certificate programs, including Academic Upgrading, Business & Administrative Studies, Health & Human Service Careers, Pre-Employment & Apprenticeship Trades, Resource Technology, University Studies, and Continuing Education & Corporate Training certificates and courses. The college supports and promotes professional development and wellness opportunities and provides employees with an attractive benefits plan and competitive salaries. The College service region offers numerous recreational activities for the entire family to enjoy!

Northern Lakes College has the following ongoing position available:

Chair, Trades & Resource Technology
Salary: $102,425 to $132,123 per year
Location: Slave Lake
July 20, 2026 to Ongoing

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s in education, business or related
• Journeyperson Trades Certificate (Alberta or Red Seal)
• Minimum three years of leadership experience
• Minimum three years of experience in the post-secondary system
• Experience working with adults, northern, and rural learners/environments
• Experience with curriculum development processes and project management
• A clean vulnerable sector criminal record check prior to commencement
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license
• A combination of education, training and experience may be considered

Assets:

• Knowledge of Alberta Apprenticeship System and post-secondary student/finance information systems

Nature and Scope of Work:

Reporting to the Dean, Trades & Resource Technology, the Chair is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of Trades & Resource Technology training, including high school dual credit studies. Also responsible for communicating with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) to determine program schedules, seat requirements, application of new programs, and program quality control. Internally, this position ensures delivery of high-quality programs, primary supervision of Trades & Resource Technology programs, staff, and liaises with the Dean and other internal/external stakeholders. Proven ability to effectively supervise in a team setting is a critical requirement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervision and Leadership

• Provides supervision and leadership to a variety of personnel and programs
• Oversight and direction of day-to-day operations, as well as supervision of Program Administrators, Instructors within the Trades & Resource Technology department
• Leadership in the development and implementation of department goals, as well as oversite of program scheduling and projects

Program Planning and Creation

• Seeking and developing new program opportunities to support ongoing drive to build upon the Trades program offerings
• Research of the labour market, building business cases, providing logistics for delivery options, and implementation/supervision of program deliveries

Budgeting

• Preparing and managing the budgets for the programs and services that the Trades & Resource Technology Department offers
• Presentation of the department’s draft budgets and capital requests and to effectively and efficiently manage financial and physical assets in year

Recruitment

• Preparation of staffing requests and develop position descriptions, chair interview panels, and assist with hiring staff
• Ongoing assessment of each individual staff member within the unit

Internal and External Liaison and Relationship Building

• Assist the Dean and other internal stakeholders to build relationships with AIT, industries and businesses, agencies, communities, and organizations including bands, settlements, Community Education Committee (CEC), etc.
• Build awareness of the College, its programs and the Trades & Resource Technology department, as well as open up opportunities for new training and partnerships
• Duties may also include participating on various boards and working groups within and outside of the College

Program Recruitment and Supervision

• Review of curriculum, delivery methods, outcomes, retention, and recruitment
• Acting as liaison with other agencies and institutions which may be brokering or sharing College courses or programs

Skills/Knowledge:

Strong Academic Expertise in and Ability to Appropriately Apply

• Advanced instructional systems
• Cognitive and adult learning theory
• Distance and blended delivery models
• Best practices in academic leadership
• The use of instructional technologies (synchronous and asynchronous) and electronic media
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of academic program delivery within a college setting

Demonstrated Leadership Skills

• Strategic and operational planning, including envisioning, and pragmatically assessing opportunities
• Problem solving, including investigation, critical thinking, and analysis

Functional Management Abilities to Undertake

• Results oriented project management
• Responsible financial management that balances budgets with growth
• Productive performance management that builds teams and capacity
• Progressive human resource management that uses effective delegation, facilitates professional development, and optimizes productivity

Excellent Communication Skills

• Technical, curriculum, report, and proposal writing
• Active listening and accurate interpretation of messages
• Oral, written, and visual communications and presentations

Excellent Interpersonal Relations

• Leading and facilitating teams
• Affecting decisions through influence, cooperation, and building consensus with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Resolving conflicts through negotiation and conciliation

Contacts (Internal and External):

• College faculty and staff
• Students
• Representatives from business, industry, and school jurisdictions
• Representatives from First Nations, settlements, and communities
• Representatives from regulating bodies, such as Alberta and Industry Training (AIT), Transportation and Economic Corridor, and ABSA

Successful candidates must provide College or University transcripts and a clean Criminal Record Check to Human Resources prior to commencement.

Note: Northern Lakes College thanks all applicants for their interest in employment; however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

• Competitive salaries
• Vacation time ranging from three to eight weeks
• Excellent health and dental benefits
• Life and disability insurance
• Pension plans with employer contributions
• Comprehensive employee and family assistance program
• Professional development opportunities