Inside Higher Ed
Director of Design-Build Program (Lecturer Calendar Year)
Inside Higher Ed, Amherst, Massachusetts, us, 01002
Director of Design-Build Program (Lecturer Calendar Year)
Inside Higher Ed invites applications for a full‑time lecturer position to serve as the director and primary instructor for the UMass DesignBuild program. The successful candidate will provide core organizational, administrative, and instructional leadership for a service‑learning initiative that allows students from multiple disciplines to design and construct a small house or other project each year, then deliver the completed structure to a local community partner and/or the university for affordable housing efforts. The role is a calendar‑year appointment (100% faculty, 12 months), jointly hired between the Department of Environmental Conservation (primary) and the Department of Architecture (secondary).
Essential Functions Teaching Duties
Spring: Teach a 6‑credit undergraduate/graduate DesignBuild studio that leads to construction documents for the upcoming project.
Summer: Instruct two 6‑credit (each) DesignBuild build courses during which the structure will be built.
Fall: Teach BCT 313 (3 cr.) on light‑frame residential construction, which may coincide with instructional duties for the completion of the design‑build project.
Service Duties Construction Management Duties
Prepare the UMass DesignBuild site in preparation for student arrival for the Build (tools, materials, construction equipment, safety equipment, etc.).
Procure all materials and equipment necessary for the build.
Instruct students in all aspects of construction procedures, including tool and job‑site safety.
Communicate and coordinate as necessary with code officials, municipal authorities, specialty contractors, and materials suppliers.
Complete construction as needed following the summer build courses and ensure delivery to the community partner.
Program Management Duties
Solicitate and procure projects for the DesignBuild program.
Negotiate and agree on partnerships with community partners, the university, and/or other collaborators.
Fundraise for the projects and support the grant‑funded faculty position.
Oversee program and construction finances and interface with university accountants.
Interface with UMass Legal on annual agreements with recipients of DesignBuild projects and manage agreements between all involved parties.
Recruit students.
Outreach to media, donors, town officials, AEC professionals, faculty, UMass administrators, etc.
Supervise campus construction site maintenance and updates.
Other Functions
Work collaboratively to promote teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
Partner with colleagues within the CNS and HFA communities across campus to support the dean’s strategic priorities.
Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in architecture, building science, construction technology, construction management, civil engineering, or a related field.
Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts or equivalent by the time of hire.
OSHA 10 Safety License by the time of hire.
Previous on‑site experience in light‑frame construction.
Prior teaching experience in construction and/or design programs.
Preferred Qualifications
Architect license in Massachusetts by the time of hire.
OSHA 30 safety license.
Physical Demands / Working Conditions All work on the DesignBuild site and project destination site occurs within a construction environment. The candidate must be comfortable in that environment and able to perform reasonable physical duties as appropriate.
Salary Information The expected salary range for this position is $80,117.00 to $118,067.00.
Special Instructions to Applicants Along With The Application, Please Submit The Following
Cover letter (≤ 1000 words) describing your interest, qualifications, and teaching philosophy.
Comprehensive CV.
Documentation of required licenses, as applicable.
Portfolio of design work or construction project listing (≤ 25 MB).
Contact information of three references (name, title, address, phone, email).
Application review will begin January 15, 2026. For questions, please reach out to the search co‑chairs: L. Carl Fiocchi (fiocchi@eco.umass.edu) and Robert Williams (roblwilliams@umass.edu).
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.
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Essential Functions Teaching Duties
Spring: Teach a 6‑credit undergraduate/graduate DesignBuild studio that leads to construction documents for the upcoming project.
Summer: Instruct two 6‑credit (each) DesignBuild build courses during which the structure will be built.
Fall: Teach BCT 313 (3 cr.) on light‑frame residential construction, which may coincide with instructional duties for the completion of the design‑build project.
Service Duties Construction Management Duties
Prepare the UMass DesignBuild site in preparation for student arrival for the Build (tools, materials, construction equipment, safety equipment, etc.).
Procure all materials and equipment necessary for the build.
Instruct students in all aspects of construction procedures, including tool and job‑site safety.
Communicate and coordinate as necessary with code officials, municipal authorities, specialty contractors, and materials suppliers.
Complete construction as needed following the summer build courses and ensure delivery to the community partner.
Program Management Duties
Solicitate and procure projects for the DesignBuild program.
Negotiate and agree on partnerships with community partners, the university, and/or other collaborators.
Fundraise for the projects and support the grant‑funded faculty position.
Oversee program and construction finances and interface with university accountants.
Interface with UMass Legal on annual agreements with recipients of DesignBuild projects and manage agreements between all involved parties.
Recruit students.
Outreach to media, donors, town officials, AEC professionals, faculty, UMass administrators, etc.
Supervise campus construction site maintenance and updates.
Other Functions
Work collaboratively to promote teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
Partner with colleagues within the CNS and HFA communities across campus to support the dean’s strategic priorities.
Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in architecture, building science, construction technology, construction management, civil engineering, or a related field.
Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts or equivalent by the time of hire.
OSHA 10 Safety License by the time of hire.
Previous on‑site experience in light‑frame construction.
Prior teaching experience in construction and/or design programs.
Preferred Qualifications
Architect license in Massachusetts by the time of hire.
OSHA 30 safety license.
Physical Demands / Working Conditions All work on the DesignBuild site and project destination site occurs within a construction environment. The candidate must be comfortable in that environment and able to perform reasonable physical duties as appropriate.
Salary Information The expected salary range for this position is $80,117.00 to $118,067.00.
Special Instructions to Applicants Along With The Application, Please Submit The Following
Cover letter (≤ 1000 words) describing your interest, qualifications, and teaching philosophy.
Comprehensive CV.
Documentation of required licenses, as applicable.
Portfolio of design work or construction project listing (≤ 25 MB).
Contact information of three references (name, title, address, phone, email).
Application review will begin January 15, 2026. For questions, please reach out to the search co‑chairs: L. Carl Fiocchi (fiocchi@eco.umass.edu) and Robert Williams (roblwilliams@umass.edu).
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.
#J-18808-Ljbffr