Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Education, the CDL Program Director is responsible for providing leadership for the CDL Program. The program director serves as subject‑matter expert and actively participates in curriculum development, revision, and implementation. He/she provides product‑knowledge training to campus leadership and the Admissions team, uses centralized curriculum materials, engages with potential students, participates in new student orientation, and oversees hiring, orientation, development, evaluation, and recognition of Driver Trainers. The director convenes faculty meetings regularly, monitors and supports the student population, advises students during provisional periods, addresses complaints, provides career guidance, and identifies students at risk through data analysis. The role also focuses on continuous program improvement, collects data for campus effectiveness plans, and ensures data analysis for program performance.
Key Responsibilities
I. Provides Services to Students
- Supplements Driver Trainer advising for students receiving failing assessments.
- Provides academic advising/counseling as needed, refers to outside resources, and arranges tutoring when appropriate.
- Leads student retention initiatives for students who experience barriers to success.
- Maintains regular contact with all students within the program area, posts office hours, and responds to questions and concerns in a timely manner.
- Refers students to appropriate staff for non‑academic problem resolution.
- Contacts students who miss days or accumulate more than four absences during the course.
- Maintains records of interactions and correspondence with students.
- Monitors contact and results of contact from Driver Trainers, makes weekly calls to unreachable or non‑compliant students, offers academic advice, and demonstrates genuine interest in student success.
- Identifies students needing tutoring.
II. Oversees Status of Quality of Curriculum, Instructional Materials, Equipment, and Facilities
- Serves as a subject‑matter expert regarding academic curriculum for the program area.
- Actively participates in curriculum development/revision led by the Home Office Executive team.
- Provides leadership in the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
- Contributes to creating the master schedule regarding course sequencing, room assignments, and Driver Trainer teaching assignments.
III. Oversees Faculty Performance and Development
- Assists the Company/Regional Program Director in recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of faculty for the program of study.
- Orients, monitors, supervises, mentors, and assists new Driver Trainers.
- Ensures all program area Driver Trainers adhere to required administrative and classroom duties as outlined in the CDL Driver Trainer job description.
- Ensures completeness of faculty files and documentation of official transcripts, professional development, observations, and performance reviews.
- Provides leadership and support for all Driver Trainers and supervises their instructional and program needs.
- Observes classes, coaches Driver Trainers to improve instructional presentation and classroom management skills.
- Conducts performance appraisals of department faculty, including strengths, recommendations, and future skill‑development plans.
- Conducts regular weekly day and evening faculty meetings, documents all meetings, and covers topics such as course improvement, instructional methods, text selection, and other quality‑improvement purposes.
- Provides departmental product‑knowledge training to Account Management and Career Services personnel as requested.
- Shares program trends and changes with all departments.
- Assists account management with student recruitment as requested.
- Promotes faculty participation and leads professional development activities, documenting those events.
- Participates actively in at least one professional organization within the community.
- Attends faculty meetings and in‑service programs, maintaining a record of professional development activities.
- Maintains current knowledge of federal and state institutional regulations and accreditation standards related to the program area.
- Participates in preparation of government and accreditation reports, ensuring timely submission and accuracy.
- Assists the Area Manager/Regional Program Director in evaluating student questionnaire data and conducts faculty conferences when necessary, providing recommendations for improvement.
- Maintains regular office hours each week to ensure consistency between day and evening policies, procedures, and instruction.
- Collaborates with peers and associates to coordinate interdepartmental activities.
- Intervenes and resolves personnel issues among program area Driver Trainers.
- Assists the Area Manager/Regional Program Director in planning program budgetary needs when applicable.
- Performs all duties of a full‑time Driver Trainer.
IV. Leads and Develops Others
- Provides clearly defined roles and objectives for Driver Trainers, monitors performance, provides feedback, and meets regularly to discuss priorities.
- Resolves individual and group performance opportunities in a timely manner to motivate and foster teamwork.
- Identifies opportunities to involve others in new and challenging work assignments that advance the skills and capabilities of individuals and the organization.
Experience and Education Required
- High school diploma or GED.
- CDL License.
- 3 years of experience in academic instruction in a post‑secondary environment.
- 5 years of industry experience in instruction – CDL Driving.
- 2 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
- Ability to qualify as a CDL Driver/Driver Trainer.
- Knowledge regarding faculty development, including requirements, delivery methods, and reporting.
- Motivation, dedication, professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm for teaching.
- Ability to show sensitivity to the needs and requirements of adult learners.
- Ability and desire to embrace the school’s mission.
- Ability to inspire students to the highest level of achievement in preparation for meeting employer expectations.
- Knowledge of industry standards and requirements within the field of instruction.
- Knowledge of and ability to facilitate learning on course content within the field of instruction.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Knowledge of the Google Suite and database programs (CampusNexus preferred).
- Ability to develop and use collaborative relationships for the purpose of accomplishing work objectives; developing relationships with other individuals by listening, sharing ideas, and appreciating others’ efforts.
- Appropriate verbal and written communication skills.
- Interpersonal relationship skills necessary for positive interactions with students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
- Excellent creative and problem‑solving skills in dealing with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to meet and/or exceed defined goals.
- Excellent presentation skills and ability to present ideas effectively to individuals or groups in a formal setting.
- Management skills in planning, organizing, controlling and evaluating programs and policies in a dynamic and changing environment.
- Knowledge of the federal Department of Education, state, local and accreditation standards.
Experience and Education Preferred
- Associate’s Degree or higher, documented specialized competency within the field of instruction, or equivalent work experience in the field of instruction.
- 5 years of experience in academic instruction in a post‑secondary environment.
- 10 years of experience in the field of instruction.
- Working knowledge of federal/state government education regulations.
- 3 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
- Previous experience as an academic program director.
- Experience in student guidance or related fields.
- Working knowledge of federal/state government education regulations.
Physical Demands
- Mobility & Balance: Ability to frequently climb in/out of the cab, bend, squat, kneel, twist and reach to perform pre/post‑trip inspections and navigate tight spaces.
- Strength: Ability to crank trailer landing gear (often 100+ lbs), handle training and safety equipment, and potentially assist with loading/unloading (if applicable).
- Endurance: Ability to sustain physical activity and be alert during extended driving and instructional periods, including exposure to varying weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, rain, ice or snow.
- Sensory Acuity and Overall Health: Must possess and maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate and meet DOT physical qualifications required to hold a CDL, with or without reasonable accommodations, as required by Federal regulations.
Specific Tasks & Considerations
- Demonstrating skills: Physically show students how to couple/uncouple trailers, perform inspections, and maneuver the large vehicle.
- Environmental Exposure: Work outdoors in various conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow while training.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Note
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, or requirements associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.
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