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Department Chair Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Motlow

Department Chair - Technologies

Memphis, TN · On-site

Department Chair - Technologies Employee Classification: Faculty Institution: Southwest Tennessee Community College Department: Technologies Campus Location: SWTCC- Multiple Campus Locations Job ...

Calbright

Department Chair, Health Science Programs

CA · Remote

$95K - $132K/yr

Department Chair, Health Science Programs Position Type: Full-time Requisition No: 27005 Category: Faculty Supervisor: Dean of Learning and Instruction Last Updated: July 2026 Job Purpose: The ...

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$66.5K

$102.7K

$155K

How much do department chair jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for department chair in the United States is $102,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a department chair?

Department Chairs are faculty members who lead and manage academic departments at colleges or universities. They are responsible for overseeing faculty, setting departmental goals, managing budgets, coordinating course offerings, and representing their department within the institution. Department Chairs also serve as a liaison between faculty, administration, and students, ensuring the smooth operation and development of the department. Their role often involves balancing administrative duties with teaching and research responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a department chair?

To thrive as a Department Chair, you typically need advanced academic credentials (often a PhD), leadership experience, and a strong record of teaching and research in your discipline. Familiarity with academic management systems, budgeting tools, and accreditation processes is important, as are any relevant professional certifications. Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills help foster a positive departmental culture and manage faculty and student needs. These skills and qualities are critical for effective departmental leadership, strategic planning, and ensuring academic excellence.

What are some of the primary challenges faced by a department chair in balancing administrative duties with faculty leadership?

As a Department Chair, one common challenge is effectively managing administrative responsibilities—such as budgeting, scheduling, and policy compliance—while also serving as a leader and advocate for faculty and students. Balancing these often competing demands requires strong organizational skills, clear communication, and the ability to delegate tasks appropriately. Department Chairs must also foster a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture, all while advancing academic goals and supporting professional development among faculty. This dual role can be demanding but offers opportunities for meaningful impact within the institution.

What is the difference between Department Chair vs Program Director?

AspectDepartment ChairProgram Director
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees in the field, often with academic credentialsUsually holds relevant degrees and certifications, often with specialized training in program management
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, overseeing faculty and departmental operationsEducational or training programs, managing curriculum and student outcomes
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic settingsEducational institutions, nonprofit organizations, training centers
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles within academic departmentsCompared for overseeing specific programs or courses within institutions

The main difference is that a Department Chair leads an entire academic department, managing faculty and departmental strategy, while a Program Director focuses on managing specific programs or courses within an institution. Both roles require relevant credentials and involve leadership, but their scope and responsibilities differ.

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Department Chair jobs near you
Infographic showing various Department Chair job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,706 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

Department Chair

Elmwood Park, NJ • On-site

Elmwood Park Public Schools
Outpatient Health Care • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Elmwood Park Public Schoolsexternal

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Department Chair 26/27 SY

This position is a leadership role within the teaching staff, serving grades 6-12, and K-5. The department chair will focus on instructional leadership and fostering a collaborative learning environment. This role requires a blend of expertise in the specific subject matter, strong leadership and communication skills, and a passion for continuous improvement. Responsibilities may include leading professional learning communities (PLCs), and serving as a liaison between the department and Supervisor of Instruction.  

Reports to: Supervisor of Instruction

Qualifications

1.    Be an employed staff member within the Elmwood Park Public Schools and hold proper certification(s). 

2.    Have at least five successful years as a classroom teacher. 

3.    Reports directly to the Supervisor of Instruction.

VERIFICATIONS OF COMPETENCY: 

1.    District application and/or resume.

 2.    Required documentation outlined in the qualifications above. 

3.    A minimum of three references from former employers, teachers, professors or other professional sources, or copies of recent evaluations and observations of teaching performance. 

4.    Employment interview. 

5.    High school transcripts and official college transcripts if applicable.

Employment Terms

1.    All Department chairs will be Board of Education approved. 

2.    Compensation for the position will be provided within a Board of Education approved stipend (according to the approved EPEA Contract).

3. Positions will be posted and Board of Education approved annually 

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 
The Department Chair shall: 

1.    Assists the Supervisor in coordinating the efforts of certified staff to teach pupils through an approved course of study using board-adopted curricula, textbooks and other appropriate teaching materials. 

2.    Assists the Supervisor of Instruction in coordinating the efforts of certified staff to review and map out instructional materials in a specific academic discipline or department. 

3.    Assists certified staff in a specific academic discipline or department in their efforts to identify and support pupil needs, using various data points, including but not limited to benchmark assessments and common assessments. 

4.    Assists supervisors to review, revise, implement, and analyze assessments. Discusses development, implementation, and results of assessments within the department. 

5.    Assists with the evaluation of instructional programs, curriculum, materials, and assessment tools within the content area. 

6.    Serves as a liaison for professional development opportunities within the department, such as in-service education, professional growth activities, workshops, and training sessions. 

7.    Serve as a liaison between the department and the Supervisor of Instruction in relation to school-level planning and district committees. 

8.    Chairs certified departmental staff meetings and portions of meetings as assigned. Leads the development and implementation of effective PLCs within the department, with the common objective of improving student achievement, through the analysis of data, goal-setting, progress monitoring, and planning of meeting agenda items followed by documentation of the findings to the Supervisor of Instruction.

9.    Attends meetings as assigned and accurately reports back as a liaison to the Supervisor of Instruction their assigned department on items related to achieving district educational goals. Meetings will be scheduled during the instructional day at least once a month. 

10.    Maintains positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with the administration, instructional staff, students, and parents.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all-inclusive.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.  

1.    Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job. 

2.    Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time. 

3.    Speak and hear. 

4.    Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision. 

5.    Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary.  American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. 

6.    Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.

Environmental Demands

The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. 

1.    Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses. 

2.    Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions.

3.    Exposure to heated /air conditioned and ventilated facilities.

 4.    Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment. 

5.    Function in a workplace that is usually moderately quiet but that can be noisy at times.

Evaluations

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with this Job Description, any applicable State statute, and such other criteria established by the Board of Education. 



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