Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Health, School of Public Health

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Health in the School of Public Health [R0149241].

ROLE of the POSITION

The department chair, as academic component leader, facilitates the management of the department. To carry out this responsibility, the chair oversees, directly or indirectly, the daily progress toward achieving teaching, research, service, and strategic goals.

The department chair is charged with seeing the big picture: looking at the department as a whole and at the department's relationship to the School and University. Examples may include representing and advocating for the department and balancing that with the goals of the School/Dean’s Office, students, and market demands. The department chair is also charged with stewarding the day-to-day operation of the department, as well as maintaining reduced requirements as a faculty member (teaching half-time and continuing to publish).

Expectations of the Department Chair

• Maintain a collegial environment —one in which all members feel valued, that they have a stake in the endeavor, that they have a voice, that they are part of a team, and that they have ownership in the program/department.

• Be a liaison between the department and the Dean:

  • The Department Chair is the person the Dean will turn to with regard to any issues facing the department.

  • The Department Chair who will go to the Dean with concerns initiated by the department.

  • The Department Chair is the representative of the department, a spokesperson, and an advocate for the department.

  • The Department Chair is also the person who will relate and communicate to the department the perspective of and/or decisions of the Dean/School and University.

  • The Department Chair represents and advocates for the department, but this must be balance with the goals of the School/Dean’s Office, students, and market demands.

• Be a team player and a big-picture thinker. The Department Chair will lead the department in developing and implementing immediate and long-range departmental goals and strategies (in concert with faculty input) to meet University and School goals and objectives.

  • This includes efforts focused on increasing enrollment and retention, adapting programs and curriculum as needed, and ensuring appropriate strategies are implemented.

  • The Department Chair will also be part of the School’s Academic Leadership Team, which helps develop goals and strategies for the School.

• Be a role model - The Department Chair is the face of the department. This means s/he needs to be available and ready to work through issues. Colleagues will look to her/him as a model, and they will see how s/he is responding in all kinds of ways.

• Be visible and in communication. The Department Chair is the gate keeper and first-in-line resource person and needs to be accessible and responsive, including time in the office on campus.

Specific Activities of the Department Chair include:

• Teach one course in each term (fall and spring).

• Be active in service on the Council of Chairs and other roles supporting the School and University.

• Lead the department in the enhancement of departmental curricula and initiatives for the improvement of instruction. This includes:

  • ensuring that course offerings for majors and non-majors are balanced in formats, times, and days offered, with consideration of student and faculty needs

  • supporting faculty members in their ability to teach effectively and improve curriculum

  • supporting faculty members’ innovation, engagement, and societal impact initiatives.

• Work with the Dean on any financial/budgetary needs or challenges.

• Establish Advisory Boards for the disciplines in the department

• Ensure effective implementation of University, School, and Department policies.

• Coordinate activities within the Department, including assessment, accreditation, and other School and University initiatives.

• Exercise leadership in recruiting and retaining capable faculty.

• Forward Departmental recommendations to the Dean for hiring full-time and part-time faculty.

• Monitor the performance evaluation of full-time and part-time faculty.

• Encourage continuous improvement of faculty performance by fostering and supporting good teaching, relevant research, and scholarly writing.

• Make recommendations relative to tenure, promotion, reappointment, salary adjustment, and leaves of absence.

• Review and forward requests for permission to travel for professional purposes per University policy.

• Review and forward all faculty proposals for awards and leaves.

• Arrange for representation for the department at official University and School functions such as commencement ceremonies, events, etc.

• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of faculty and students from diverse backgrounds.

• Monitor, with faculty, the academic progress of students.

• Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date faculty and student records.

• Supervise and evaluate direct report staff.

• Supervise the resolution of student grievances/grade appeals, following established procedures.

• Schedule and preside over department meetings.

• Serve as the primary Departmental contact for recruitment and retention efforts.

• Demonstrate interpersonal relations that foster a professional working atmosphere.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Dean.

Benchmarks for Performance

• Increase in enrollment and retention of students in the department.

• Faculty progress toward tenure, promotion, and performance goals.

• Contribute to the progress of the School of Public Health.

PROFILE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The department is composed of several research-intensive faculty with over $5M in NIH funding; their expertise includes areas such as:

• Early childhood development

• Early obesity prevention

• Breastfeeding

• Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and aging

• Ethical-legal-social implications of genetics/genomics

• Global health

• Housing

• LGBTQIA

• Substance misuse

• Young adult health

• Sexuality education

• Children’s mental and physical health

• Health disparities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• This position requires a PhD degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Community Health, or related fields from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Previous leadership experience as a Graduate Coordinator, Program Coordinator, or Center Director.

• Must have experience mentoring junior faculty, a strong portfolio of external funding, and experience working with diverse communities to address health disparities. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience as Departmental Chair and research expertise in health communications, mixed methods, or qualitative research designs.

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.

SALARY

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

• Competitive total rewards package including:

  • Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays

  • Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision

  • Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs

• No state income tax

• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools

• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS & PROGRAMS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs

• UNLV athletics ticket discounts

• Statewide employee purchase program discounts

• discounts on and off campus

• for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost

• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

• A comprehensive onboarding program,