Careers at NLC

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. We support and promote professional development and wellness opportunities, and provide our 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: $100,024 to $129,026 per year
Location: Slave Lake
September 22, 2025 to Ongoing

Qualifications:

• Graduate Degree in Education, Business or related;
• Journeyperson Trades Certificate (Alberta or Red Seal);
• Minimum three years of experience in the post-secondary system;
• Experience working with adults, northern and rural learners and environments;
• Experience with curriculum development processes and project management;
• Class 5 driver’s license;
• A clean criminal record check;
• A combination of education, training and experience may be considered.       

Nature and Scope of Work

Reporting to the Dean, Business, Academics, Trades and Regional Stewardship, the Chair is responsible for overseeing day to day operations of Resource Technology and Trades training, including high school dual credit studies.  Knowledge of Alberta Apprenticeship System and post-secondary student/finance information systems is an asset.  As well, knowledge of academic program delivery within a College setting is required.  Good working knowledge of MS Office products is essential.

The Chair is 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 all Trades and 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                  

The Chair provides supervision and leadership to a variety of personnel and programs.  Within the Trades and Resource Technology Department, this position is responsible for oversight and direction of day-to-day operations, as well as supervision of Program Administrators, Instructors and an Administrative Assistant. The position takes a leadership role in the development and implementation of department goals, as well as oversite of program scheduling and projects.

Program Planning and Creation

As part of the ongoing drive to build upon the Trades program offerings, the Chair is responsible for seeking and developing new program opportunities.  Specific tasks can include researching the labour market, building business cases, providing logistics for delivery options, and implementation/supervision of program deliveries.

Budgeting

The Chair is responsible for preparing and managing the budgets for the programs and services that the Trades and Resource Technology Department offers. The Chair will be asked to present the Department’s draft budgets and capital requests and to effectively and efficiently manage financial and physical assets in year. 
Recruitment

The Chair is expected to prepare staffing requests and develop position descriptions, chair interview panels and assist with hiring staff.  He/she is also responsible for the ongoing assessment of each individual staff member within the unit.

Internal and External Liaison and Relationship building

Working with the Dean and other internal stakeholders the Chair builds relationships with AIT, industries and businesses, agencies, communities and organizations (including Bands, Settlements, CEC, etc.). The Chair’s goal is to 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

Duties include review of curriculum, delivery methods, outcomes, retention and recruitment.  The Chair also acts as liaison with other agencies and institutions which may be brokering or sharing College courses or programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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

Demonstrated leadership skills in

• 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 balance 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 with

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

Excellent interpersonal relations with

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

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

Please submit a resume quoting the reference number NLC-2233 to: Northern Lakes College, Human Resources, 1201 Main Street SE, Slave Lake, AB  T0G 2A3  or alternatively Fax: 780-849-5881

Closing Date: September 16, 2025

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