Workforce Development Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $140,000.00 Annually
Location : Highline College 2400 S 240th St Des Moines, WA
Job Type: EXEMPT
Job Number: 20250312-DWP
Division: ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Opening Date: 03/12/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Summary
Posting will remain open until filled. Priority consideration for applications received by April 12, 2026.
The Dean of Workforce Pathways is an administrative position responsible for providing leadership and operational oversight to 14 workforce departments offering 27 AAS and BAS degrees that serve approximately 3200 credit seeking students annually (approximately 22 % of the total Highline College student population). The role aligns educational offerings with regional and state economic needs and is responsible for ensuring programs meet state and federal guidelines. The position is also responsible for writing and overseeing all state and federal workforce grants, year-end reporting, and lending the process to develop and write the bi-annual Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment.
The Dean for Workforce Pathways collaborates with the Dean of Workforce Partnerships & Extended Learning and the Associate Dean of Workforce Pathways in leading a team of seven workforce focused staff. The position supervises seven staff members including the Program Manager of Workforce Pathways, the Director of Nursing, the Program Manager for HOST, three faculty administrative assistants, and an Instruction and classroom support technician for the Nursing program. The position reports directly to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and works collaboratively within the department, across the college, and with external stakeholders.
This is a full-time exempt, at will position.
Essential Tasks
Leadership & Planning

• Provide leadership and administrative oversight for the college's workforce programs to ensure consistency with current and future needs of the students, community, and industry partners;
• Collaborate with the Dean of Workforce Partnerships & Extended Learning and Associate Dean of Workforce Pathways on developing an annual strategic plan for the workforce department, ensuring the plan aligns with both the division's and the college's strategic planning priorities;
• Participate in Academic Affairs leadership groups and committees, college wide councils, and state, community, and workforce boards;
• Advocate for workforce faculty and students with Academic Affairs and Student Services leadership;
• Foster a culture of student-centered improvement.

Management & Operations

• Maintain compliance with federal, regional, and state guidelines for workforce programs including:
  • Ensures that all faculty are appropriately certified and have developed professional improvement plans;
  • Maintains effective advisory committees;
  • Manages program revisions and new program development;
  • Manages program review/program improvement processes;
  • Assesses program level outcomes;
  • Implements Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment;
  • Provides oversight for all workforce related grants and funding allocations, and ensures they are strategically aligned with division and college priorities and managed to comply with all state and federal guidelines.
• Serve as key college liaison with the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) regarding workforce programs, policy, and funding;
• Assure that workforce program curricula are updated regularly and recorded accurately in accordance with the college's current curriculum management processes and includes strategies for incorporating IBEST, work based learning, linked learning communities, and College Success strategies;
• Actively support program coordinators with the following:
  • Manage advising loads for workforce faculty;
  • Assist with external accreditation processes;
  • Budget and equipment management;
  • Review current industry needs to ensure curriculum remains relevant.
• Ensure workforce processes are clearly explained and readily accessible to workforce faculty;
• Collaborate with the Dean of Workforce Partnerships & Extended Learning and Director of Continuing Education to develop non-credit to credit pathways;
• Create predictable, student-centered instructional schedules;
• Collaborate with Dean of Workforce Partnerships & Extended Learning to convene regularly scheduled workforce pathways team meetings.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree; AND
• Two or more years of college-level experience teaching in a workforce program; AND
• Prior workforce administrative or leadership experience in a post-secondary institution. This may include experience as an administrator or as a program, department or division lead faculty member.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with college wide strategic planning and integrating workforce priorities into the college wide planning process;
• Budget and grant management experience, ideally workforce grant management;
• Ability to evaluate instructional activities (e.g. programs, courses, and projects);
• Experience coaching and mentoring faculty and other assigned personnel;
• Experience working collaboratively with local and regional workforce, educational and industry partners to develop and maintain innovative programs in response to changing economic needs;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community partners.

Supplemental Information
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
THE COLLEGE
Founded in 1961, Highline College was the first community college to be established in King County and is one of 34 community and technical colleges. More than 350,000 alumni have graduated from Highline over the years. Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, we are located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup and many other Coast Salish tribes.
Highline prioritizes access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values. We are proud Highline strives to improve access to Education for our student community. Those who come to our college bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives and make us better. We strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students, staff, and faculty by fostering a equal opportunity focused workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Your online application must include the following to be considered complete:
1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;
2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
National Criminal Background Check may be required.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
NEED APPLICATION HELP?
Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.
HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Highline College is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects all cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.
TITLE IX POLICY
Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website
The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The college provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types).
The Title IX Coordinator, Danielle Slota, can be reached at (206) 592-3600 or 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, President's Office
For accessibility needs, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.
The Vice President of Human Resources, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.
You can receive this information in an alternate format by contacting hrstaff@highline.edu.
Benefits for full time employees are explained in detail on our page.
01
Do you have Master's degree AND two or more years of college-level experience teaching in a workforce program?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have prior workforce administrative or leadership experience in a post-secondary institution? This may include experience as an administrator or as a program, department or division lead faculty member

• Yes
• No

03
I understand that to be consider for this position my application must be complete. Your online application must include the following to be considered complete:1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position;

• Yes
• No

Required Question