Chair of the Department of Social Work
University of North Dakota

Job Info

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Salary/Position Classification

• $75,000+ commensurate with rank and experience, 9-month contract, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability: No

Purpose of Position

The University of North Dakota is seeking candidates for the position of Chair of the Department of Social Work. The Chair reports directly to the Dean of the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines (CNPD). Subject to approval by the University and State Board of Higher Education, this is a tenured position, and an appointment will be made at a rank consistent with experience and qualifications. Successful candidates will have qualifications consistent with the rank of Full or Associate Professor.

The CNPD seeks a dynamic and visionary leader who will build upon the department of social work's strengths to provide exceptional professional educational experiences, recruit and develop outstanding faculty, and promote faculty-driven scholarly and creative endeavors. The next chair will be a committed team player who is devoted to excellence and shared governance. The selected individual will be a consultative decision-maker and will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators. The chair will have unquestioned integrity and exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.

The next chair will have an anticipated starting date by January 1, 2025.

THE OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

The next chair of the department of Social Work at UND will be joining the University during a dynamic period. Under the leadership of President Andrew Armacost (who joined UND in 2020) and Provost Eric Carl Link (who joined UND in 2021), the campus is experiencing enrollment growth and major campus improvements with several buildings under construction and/or renovation currently. Significant investments at the University in terms of research development in critical areas are propelling the University forward as the flagship research institution in the state of North Dakota. Meanwhile, the University's ongoing commitments to student success at both the undergraduate and graduate level continue to elevate the tradition of educational excellence at the institution.

Under the leadership of Dean Maridee Shogren (appointed in 2022), the incoming chair of the social work department will have the opportunity to build on the long-standing tradition of excellence within the department and to work alongside both internal and external partners to increase and enhance the mission of the department and the College.

CNPD Social Work Notable Achievements

* The Department of Social Work is a nationally-recognized leader in distance education, implementing the first online MSW Generalist program in 2009 and the BSSW in 2016. Both programs were successfully reaffirmed by CSWE in 2023.
* For more than thirty years, the department has been home to the Children & Family Services Training Center, the primary training agency for child welfare services in North Dakota.
* The Department of Social Work has a distinguished record of inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations with other UND departments/programs, local, tribal, state, and federal agencies in developing relevant knowledge and interventions aimed at resolving critical social problems and improving lives.

Enhancing access and opportunity for students and faculty through alumni and donor relations will be essential in the coming years as the University engages in robust capital campaigning and relationship building. The social work department is building student growth in their traditional and online programs and continues to strengthen the longstanding child welfare partnerships that will position them--and the department--for ongoing service to the state and the region.

Duties & Responsibilities

The following is an abbreviated list of the responsibilities associated with this position:

• Represent the department and the profession to internal and external stakeholders
• Foster interaction and collaboration in the department
• Mentor and support faculty research and scholarly activity
• Community engagement with public and private human service agency partners and stakeholders
• Oversight of curriculum, course scheduling, and faculty deployment
• Oversee coordination of student recruitment and admission to the department programs
• Evaluate enrollment and student credit hours, fiscal efficiency, and faculty needs to deliver program requirements
• Monitor accreditation status and needs as well as lead reaffirmation of accreditation accordingly
• Coordinate and conduct the evaluation process of faculty and any applicable staff
• Assist the faculty in seeking appropriate resources for professional development
• Manage the departmental salary and operating budget, special project budgets, and other department funds as designated
• Advise on and approve faculty-initiated grants and other externally funded projects as applicable
• Work with the dean and other college administrators to facilitate long-term planning and use of resources in the common interest
• Foster a collegial and welcoming culture in the department that promotes teamwork and recognizes the principles of shared governance

Required Competencies

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Collegial and collaborative facilitation skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social work ethics and values, including ADEI principles.

Minimum Requirements

• CSWE approved MSW degree
• Doctoral degree in Social work or related field.
• Ability to be licensed as a social worker in North Dakota within six months after hire.
• At least three years of service in a social work educational administrative leadership role.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of professional academic leadership
• Two years post-MSW social work practice experience outside of academia.
• Teaching, research, or practice experience with Indigenous populations.
• Experience with online teaching.
• Interdisciplinary experience
• Experience in curriculum development and program accreditation.
• A proven record of fund-raising, grant-writing, and/or community engagement.

To Apply

Applications should include a letter of interest (not more than three pages) specifically addressing the applicant's background in relationship to the qualifications described, a current resume or curriculum vitae and any additional materials as required/desired.

Please apply online: https://www.academicsearch.org/open-searches-public/entry/19229/?search=19229

Applications received by August 29, 2024 are assured consideration.

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