4P1 Employee Credentials, Skills and Values

Throughout the hiring process, STI’s Human Resource Department and the STI supervisor who oversees the position being hired work together to complete the hire. Staff and faculty frequently have input in the position job descriptions and participate in the interview and selection process.

Identification of Skills: STI begins the hiring process with a review and update of the current job description or the creation of a new job description. The purpose of this step is to assure that STI is hiring individuals with the appropriate qualifications for the position and that the job description accurately states the duties of the position. In developing or revising job descriptions, STI reviews the specific credentials and skills required by other technical institutes, as well as changes that have occurred in the field.

Faculty Skills: STI full time faculty are required to meet the following criteria:

Hold a degree appropriate to their field and/or appropriate work experience (3+ years) as determined by STI. (General Education instructors teaching transferable courses must have a master’s degree and 18 credits in the specific field.)
Have three years of relevant work experience as determined by STI
Maintain instructor credentials as determined by the State of South Dakota (renewed every five years)

Part-time faculty have appropriate work experience and/or a degree but are not required to participate in state credentialing.

STI places a strong emphasis on the ability of its faculty to be effective teachers, particularly for teaching the two-year technical student. Therefore, during the interview process, STI strives to find those individuals who not only know the technical aspects of a given field but also have the ability to effectively communicate this information to others. The hiring process therefore includes a demonstration of teaching by the candidate.

Staff Skills: Qualifications for staff are outlined in the job description for the particular assignment as identified by the supervising administrator. As indicated above, these qualifications are compared to qualifications and requirements used by other institutions as well as the specific needs of STI.

The Human Resources Department and administration assure that all hires meet the qualifications and requirements for the positions for which they are being hired.

STI’s focus on the student is a central tenant in the interview process for all hires. During this process, administrators consider how each potential employee will blend with the culture of teaching and learning and student success at STI.