Director of Classroom and Lab Technologies

Director of Classroom and Lab Technologies

The George Mason University, Learning Support Services group within Information Technology Services (ITS) – located on the Fairfax, Virginia campus- invites applications for Director of Classroom and Lab Technologies. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Learning Support Services (LSS) fosters and supports the George Mason community in the use of technology for, teaching and learning. Classroom and Lab Technologies, a unit of LSS, designs, supports, and maintains technology classrooms, computer labs, and virtual computing lab services.

The Director of Classroom and Lab Technologies will report to the Executive Director of Learning Support Services (LSS) and will serve as a member of the LSS leadership team. The Director will be responsible for providing well-designed and pedagogically appropriate classroom, lab and virtual computing spaces and services. Responsibilities include overseeing classroom technology support, the virtual computing lab, classroom technology standards and designs, technology classroom equipment refreshes and builds, and robust software and hardware imaging and other computing services that support physical teaching and learning spaces.

The Director will build partnerships and alliances, internal and external, to Classroom and Lab Technologies (CALT) and expand effective communication practices and relationships between CALT and stakeholders such as the colleges and schools, network engineering, server support, videoconferencing, facilities and the registrar. The Director serves as a member of George Mason’s Classroom Advisory Committee and Learning Environments Group.

Classroom and Lab Technologies currently supports over 300 classrooms across three campuses. CALT supports specialized labs (e.g. STAR and the Collaborative Learning Hub) within ITS. CALT engages in service agreements to provide support in some departmentally owned classrooms and labs. Equipment in university classroom spaces is replaced on a regular cycle.

The combined staff of Classroom and Lab Technologies is 25 FTEs, in addition to a large student staff and 4 direct reports (Managers). The four teams that make up CaLT include: Learning Space Design, Computing Services, Classroom Support-Fairfax and Classroom Support-Regional.

Learning Space Design team works with Facilities, the Registrar’s Office, and faculty to design teaching and learning spaces, and ensure that there is an appropriate supply of technology classrooms.

Computing Services provides desktop images for computers in physical facilities and maintains George Mason’s virtual computing lab.

Classroom Support-Fairfax and Regional supports the 300+ Registrar-scheduled classrooms in addition to a growing number of departmental based conference rooms and learning spaces (arranged through SLAs and MOUs).

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for the university’s technology classrooms, computers labs and virtual computing environments.
• Recommend and implement services, technologies, procedures and policies that keep George Mason’s teaching spaces and academic computing services relevant and competitive. 
• Manage and oversee management and use of complex budgets including the CALT operational budget, equipment technology funds and classroom technology replacement budgets; working closely with the ITS Purchasing Office. 
• Manage CALT staff and students, empowering all to work towards the stated mission of CALT, LSS and ITS. 
• Recommend new technologies, designs, standards and services based on best practices, data, expressed teaching and learning needs, technology changes, accessibility standards, and institutional policy.
• Recommend the transition or end of technologies or services.
• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, empowerment, and communication.
• Build alliances across ITS and other campus organizations to improve service and identify issues and opportunities. 
• Chair, convene, and/or participate in committees, work groups and task forces. 
• Participate in the development and maintenance of the ITS website and service catalog.
• Represent LSS on appropriate internal and external councils, committees, and task forces (e.g., Classroom Advisory Council, Learning Environments Group). 
• Increase visibility and recognition of George Mason by representing it in relevant publications and through presentations at pertinent conferences. 
• Maintain a presence in information and educational technology professional organizations.

 

Qualifications

• Mason is seeking an accomplished technology leader with the ability to provide strategic vision and operational capability for its physical and virtual classrooms and labs. The successful candidate will have proven experience in the support of the classroom and software needs of faculty and students in higher education and must demonstrate the following:

 

Required

• An advanced degree, masters or above;
• Three or more years higher education experience;
• Five or more years experience in a technology-enabled teaching and learning environment;
• Experience directing a technology support organization;
• Understanding of technologies and standards associated with classroom and labs;
• Administrative experience (e.g., personnel, budget, performance management, etc.);
• Experience leading a service-oriented organization;
• Proven track record in facilitating and sustaining change;
• Experience collaborating with faculty and stakeholders; and
• Excellent communications skills (oral and written).

 

Preferred

• A Doctorate degree;
• A collaborative, team oriented management/leadership style;
• Strategic planning and forecasting experience;
• Working knowledge of virtual computing;
• Ability to develop, nurture and encourage staff to embrace change;
• Ability to hold people accountable to achieve objectives;
• Hardworking and results oriented;
• Flexible and adaptable; and
• Service-oriented.

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

George Mason University is a great place to work where employees are given an opportunity to develop skills and expand horizons. We have tuition waivers; telecommuting (typically one day a week) and flextime schedules; facilities that will meet your physical fitness needs; and the campus environment is dynamic and ethnically and culturally diverse.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position FA32FZ at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ by July 3, 2018; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information to include email address and phone number.

An on-campus public presentation will be required as part of the interview process for all finalists.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status