Department Head - Biology

Job Title: Department Head - Biology

Location: Valdosta State University

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 268539
About Us As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our community's rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.
Blazer Creed Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University. Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being. Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty. Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help. As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship . University System of Georgia (USG) Statement of Core Values Every member of the USG community is required to adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values, Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect that form and guide the daily work of the organization. Integrity - We will be honest, fair, impartial, and unbiased in our dealings both with and on behalf of the USG. Excellence - We will perform our duties to foster a culture of excellence and high quality in everything we do. Accountability - We firmly believe that education in the form of scholarship, research, teaching, service, and developing others is a public trust. We will live up to this trust through safeguarding our resources and being good stewards of the human, intellectual, physical, and fiscal resources given to our care. Respect - We recognize the inherent dignity and rights of every person, and we will do our utmost to fulfill our resulting responsibility to treat each person with fairness, compassion, and decency. Job Summary The College of Science and Mathematics seeks applicants for a Department Head of Biology.The position is a fiscal (12-month) administrative faculty position beginning July 1, 2024.The rank will be either Associate or Full Professor, depending upon credentials and qualifications, with tenure. The Department of Biology is the largest in the College of Science and Mathematics, with approximately 450 undergraduate students, 20 graduate students, and 20 full-time faculty members whose teaching and research interests span areas that include molecular and cellular biology, developmental biology, microbiology, organismal biology, neurophysiology, plant pathology, infectious diseases, parasitology and wildlife biology, evolutionary and molecular ecology, functional morphology, and plant molecular biochemistry. The Department has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including animal care facilities and the Lake Louise Field Station, available for teaching and research.The department's educational mission focuses on advancing the university's mission of increasing undergraduate and graduate students' access to higher education in the region. The diverse curriculum offered by the Department prepares students for direct entry into the job market, graduate school, and professional programs. The Department provides undergraduate (B.A. and B.S.) and graduate (M.S.) degrees, including thesis and non-thesis master,s degree options. The Department is expanding its non-thesis M.S. degree to provide more opportunities to professionals seeking careers in the Biological Sciences.For more information about the Department, please visit . Application materials should include the following as pdf attachments:
Cover letter
CV
Teaching philosophy/vision that includes a vision of how to create/update curriculum to reach the needs and career goals of a diverse student body
Research statement that includes how to enhance the research mission of a regional public institution and increase opportunities for students and faculty
Leadership statement that addresses the challenges facing departments at regional comprehensive universities and how to find solutions when there are very diverse perspectives from the different campus stakeholders Review of completed applications begins March 12, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. For more information on the position please contact Dr. Winkelman, Search Chair, via email .
Responsibilities Reporting directly to the Dean, the Department Head directs and participates in the department's teaching and other day-to-day functions and serves as its primary spokesperson and advocate.Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Hiring, managing, and evaluating faculty and staff members in the department; Conducting regular departmental meetings; Fostering a positive department environment that supports excellent teaching, scholarship, and service; Establishing a collaborative department vision and agenda that is aligned with the university and college strategic plans; Scheduling classes and sections for each faculty member in each academic semester; Supporting students through mentoring, overseeing internships, and providing curricular overrides, where appropriate; Teaching necessary courses throughout the academic year; Participating in research and scholarly activities; Attending required conferences, including those associated with academic presentations; Supporting department experiential learning activities, including undergraduate research; Facilitating departmental curriculum reviews to maintain program viability and alignment with accreditation requirements; Participating in College Executive Committee meetings; Attending monthly Council of Department Heads meetings; Serving as Budget Manager for the department. Typical Allocation of Duties Teaching and scholarship - 30%
Teach classes and conducts/presents research in the employee's academic discipline. Recruit and supervise - 20%
Recruit and supervise the work of full- and part-time faculty and staff. Evaluate the work of faculty and recommend faculty for tenure and promotion. Curriculum development - 20%
Coordinate the development of department curriculum, courses, and schedules. Oversee clinical programs as appropriate. Administrative functions - 20%
Direct the department's business and administrative functions. Student services - 10%
Coordinate the delivery of student services within the department.
Required Qualifications An earned terminal degree in Biology or a closely related discipline from an accredited university; A record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; A strong record of progressive responsibility and relevant leadership experience; An awareness of current trends in higher education and a commitment to innovation in teaching and learning; Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; A commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style. Preferred Qualifications Experience with grant writing and extramural funding; Record of successful outreach to the community; Experience with faculty evaluation and promotion and tenure processes; Experience as a department head. Proposed Salary Commensurate with experience.
Conditions of Employment Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Position May Require Credit Check (if using P-Card, working with Cash, etc.). Position Requires completion of VSU's Annual Compliance Training course (such as State Business Transactions, Drug Free Workplace, Anti-Harassment Policy, Introduction to Information Security, Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Policy, USG Ethics Policy, Conflict of Interest/ Outside Activities Policy, Leave Procedures for Faculty and Staff, Georgia Open Records Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and Contracts 101. Supervisory positions require training in FMLA and Worker's Compensation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.
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