Job description

Tucson, AZ

Close Date: Friday, February 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (Arizona Time)

Please note, this position will be in person, to be located in the Pima County/Tucson area.

Pima Community College invites applications for the position of Department Head for our vibrant and forward-thinking Fashion Design Program. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader who is passionate about preparing students for success in the ever-evolving fashion industry.

About Pima Community College

At the core of Pima Community College’s mission is serving our community and providing educational opportunities to all learners. We value inclusion and inquiry because diversity in people, experiences, and perspectives unlocks critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. With a focus on a culture of belonging and care, we are committed to nurturing a climate where all students and employees feel welcome, successful, and have opportunities to reach their potential. We are proud to be designated a Hispanic-serving Institution and are intentional with equitable actions that promote social and economic prosperity.

At Pima Community College we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information on Pima Communities commitments and its institutional population, please visit our web pages About Pima, Diversity, and Reports & Data.

Fashion Program

Pima’s Fashion Design program is an integral part of the dynamic Division of Arts, which also encompasses Film, Theater, Dance, Music, Digital Arts, and Visual Arts. The Associate of Arts – Fashion Design pathway provides students with a progressive foundation in essential skills, advanced technological training, and a deep understanding of current industry trends, preparing them to thrive in today’s fast-paced and evolving fashion industry.

Courses are led by industry professionals and cover a diverse range of topics, including multiple levels of apparel design and construction, fashion drawing, pattern drafting (both by hand and CAD), digital fashion design, merchandising, styling, and more. Students have access to a state-of-the-art design lab, specialized databases, and industry publications, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the field.

A standout feature of the program is the long-running spring fashion show, where students present their creativity through unique, student-created brands, making it a celebrated annual event. Additionally, teaching and understanding sustainable fashion is an integral part of the curriculum, reinforcing the program’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

About the Position

The position is available beginning the 2025-26 academic year as a nine-month contract. Faculty teach and work a set schedule over a nine-month academic year, August–May, that could include day, evening, and weekend duties.

As Department Head of Fashion Design, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the program’s future and ensuring its continued success. This full-time position combines teaching, leadership, and administrative responsibilities. Please note that the department head model is subject to review and may change in two years.

Faculty may be asked to teach in person, online, hybrid, and virtual learning environments. Divisions may employ emerging approaches such as fast-track, IBEST, and dual enrollment as appropriate. Course scheduling may include daytime, evenings, and/or weekends.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive benefits package that goes beyond affordable medical plans. Because we value work-life balance, we offer award-winning Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs. For more information, visit our Benefits webpage.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Academic Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to the Fashion Design program, ensuring alignment with the college’s mission and goals.
• Curriculum Development: Oversee curriculum design and updates, integrating industry trends, sustainable practices, and technological advancements.
• Faculty Supervision: Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty, fostering a collaborative and innovative teaching environment.
• Student Success: Support student learning and engagement by promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Industry Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with local and national industry professionals to enhance internship and career opportunities for students.
• Budget and Resource Management: Manage program budgets and resources, including oversight of the design lab and equipment.
• Program Promotion: Act as an ambassador for the program by promoting it to prospective students, the community, and industry stakeholders.
• Event Coordination: Lead the planning and execution of key events, such as the annual fashion show and other community outreach initiatives.
• Assessment and Accreditation: Ensure the program meets accreditation standards and implements assessment processes to maintain academic excellence.
• Scheduling: Create and maintain class schedules
• Teaching

General Duties:

• Full-time faculty are expected to teach the equivalent of 15 load hours per semester
• Facilitate learning and help students achieve academic success and retention
• Evaluate and assess student performance
• Provide academic advising
• Monitor and continuously improve instruction to ensure Student Learning Outcomes are met on a classroom, discipline/program, and College level
• Evaluate and revise course outlines and course materials
• Maintain competency and currency in the teaching fields
• Engage in professional development in current and emerging instructional approaches to engage new majority learners
• Serve actively as a member of the department and discipline groups
• Participate in fostering partnerships that strengthen educational opportunities in response to community needs
• Represent the department and/or campus on college-wide committees
• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students and utilize a collegial style in all forms of communication

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The College places a premium on candidates with an openness to new approaches and professional growth. We recognize that our faculty body is strengthened by a cross-sectional breadth of experience.

• Ability to teach a broad range of courses in fashion and the fashion Industry.
• Ability to adapt and modify instruction based on the student instructional needs and learning styles, including working with accommodations and accessibility
• Knowledge of appropriate and effective use of assessment information to improve instruction
• Evaluation of students’ educational progress: ability to maintain high instruction and learning standards and assess students’ academic progress in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes
• Teaching in multiple modalities such as online, web-enhanced, and D2L courses: knowledge of curriculum development, course design, and delivery
• Knowledge of the resources available to students to assist them with academic and personal challenges, and ability to help students access those resources, skilled in providing academic advising
• Competencies in multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusivity: knowledge of diverse community college student populations and the ability to address diversity in effective instructional practice and student learning
• Knowledge and appreciation for the Community College mission
• Ability to analyze trends, create mood boards, and develop an innovative and cohesive fashion collection
• Knowledge of textiles and processes
• Ability to drape, develop patterns (both manually and digitally), cut, sew and tailor garments
• Strong skills with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and CAD pattern making software (Pima uses Tukatech).
• Ability to create original fashion design illustrations as well as technical drawings and specifications for products, both manually and digitally
• Ability to create technical packages for costing and production
• Ability to conceptualize, plan and execute annual fashion show and promotional events both independently and in conjunction with fashion students
• Ability to demonstrate an awareness of the impact and ethical implications of global fashion and the importance of socially responsible and sustainable design
• Demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging fashion industry trends and technologies and continuously update the curriculum accordingly
• Demonstrate a professional portfolio of fashion design and industry projects that illustrate creativity and innovation
• Ability to develop and implement curriculum, negotiate transfer agreements with university partners, develop grant proposals, and cultivate fashion industry support

Job Requirements

Minimum qualifications requirements for faculty positions are governed by our faculty qualification standards. This position is in an Occupational discipline and requires the following to obtain Pima Community College teaching certification:

• Master’s degree in the field of study and (4+ years of apparel industry experience) OR
• Master’s degree in any discipline and 18 graduate semester hours in the field of study (and 6+ years of apparel industry experience) OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a closely related degree and work experience in the field. (6+ years of apparel industry experience with 2+ years as a senior-level designer)
• Fields of study (disciplines/subfields) are: fashion design

The selected candidate will:

• Work a flexible schedule, including afternoons and evenings as needed to meet student demand
• Possibly work at more than one Pima Community College Campus, depending on need
• Teach in multiple modalities, including in-person, online, and hybrid

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with innovative teaching methodologies
• Experience teaching online courses and/or alternative instructional formats
• Experience using a Learning Management System, preferably D2L Brightspace
• 8+ years as a senior-level fashion designer
• Master’s degree in Fashion Design
• Experience building industry partnerships and creating pathways for student success.
• Knowledge of CAD software, digital fashion tools, and pattern drafting technologies.
• Event planning experience, particularly in coordinating fashion shows or similar events.

Directions for Applying and Other Important Information

Degrees and courses qualifying for Pima Community College teaching certification must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants currently in progress for a degree or additional coursework to meet the minimum qualifications must have the degree conferred and/or coursework completed by May 2025.

A degree from any college outside of the United States (even if the transcript is in English) may need to be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service. Pima Community College requires that applicants use an evaluation agency that is a member of NACES or AACRAO’s corporate partners.

Before ordering an evaluation, check with Faculty Qualifications & Hiring to confirm whether you will need to complete this step.

Selection Process:

The selection process typically consists of one or two advisory group interview(s), a teaching demonstration, and an administrative interview.

Candidates invited to the interview process will be chosen from those who most closely meet the stated requirements. Meeting these qualifications does not guarantee an interview.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or to request a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, please contact [email protected]. Office hours are normally Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Minorities/Females/Disabled/Protected Veterans are encouraged to apply.

About the College and Tucson Community

Pima Community College is committed to becoming a premier community college, one that is built on a foundation of student success, community engagement, and diversity. We hire people who:

• set and meet high standards
• believe in service and accountability
• have a passion for learning
• are creative
• can help fulfill our mission
• understand the first-generation college student experience
• are knowledgeable about the challenges of underprivileged populations
• are knowledgeable about the traditions and culture of the populations of the Southwest, including Latinos and Native Americans
• have cultural sensitivity and understanding of the needs of differently-abled, veterans, and LGBTQ

Pima was recently named one of the top workplaces in Arizona by Forbes magazine, which analyzed such factors as safety of work environment, competitiveness of compensation, opportunities for advancement and openness to telework.

The College meets the needs of the community by offering instruction when and how our students want it: evenings, weekends, year-round, in traditional classroom settings, online and virtual learning, in web-classroom hybrids, and in semester-long or accelerated formats. Employees can expect to participate in innovative, flexible scheduling, in keeping with the College’s vision, to provide access to learning without the limits of time, place, or distance.

Pima Community College is in Tucson, an inclusive oasis in the Arizona Sonoran desert. With a population of about 1 million, metro Tucson is a cosmopolitan community. It is a majority-minority city enriched by an active LGBTQIA+ community and by nearly 150 distinct neighborhoods, from Barrio Anita to Poets Square.

Located 65 miles from Mexico, Tucson sits on the border-spanning ancestral lands of the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui peoples and is proud of centuries of Hispanic and Indigenous heritage.

Environmental stewardship is in Tucson’s nature. The city is situated in a valley surrounded by four mountain ranges that create a unique ecosystem encompassing a saguaro-studded desert floor and pine forests on Mount Lemmon. We’re bracketed on the East and West sides by Saguaro National Park, and we’re committed to planting 1 million trees by 2030.

Additional information about the College may be found at www.pima.edu.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
If you have any questions regarding the application process or to request a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, please contact [email protected]. Office hours are normally Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Minorities/Females/Disabled/Protected Veterans are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

To submit an application you must include the documents that are listed within the application form as required. Documents listed as optional do not have to be attached in order to submit the application. Follow the directions in the application form to upload your documents. At minimum, these documents are required:

1. Resume. This should be up to date and account for and describe all gaps in employment.
2. Letter of interest or cover letter. This is a description of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience related to the duties and responsibilities of the position, as well as the strengths you would bring to the assignment. The letter should not exceed two (2) pages.
3. Teaching Philosophy Statement: In one page or less, please share your experience working with diverse student populations typically served by community colleges and indicate how that informs your teaching practice and/or philosophy.
4. 20 Examples of student work and personal portfolio (a document with a link is acceptable)
5. Unofficial copies of transcripts. These must be:
   1. for all post-secondary degrees you have listed in your application
   2. legible (front and back) and show the name of the regionally accredited institution, the degree conferred, and the page(s) explaining the institution’s grading system
   3. attached to the application even if they have been submitted in the past

The selected candidate(s) must provide Faculty Qualifications & Hiring with official (unopened) transcripts and/or official (unopened) foreign transcript evaluation.