Department Head, Psychology

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Fort Smith, ARKANSAS
Job Type: FullTime

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Type of Position:
Faculty - Non-Tenure


Workstudy Position:


No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:


Sponsorship Available:


No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

University of Arkansas – Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid-sized public university that’s redefining higher education. We’re on a mission to provide transformative, hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and aspirations. Our multi-faceted approach to education offers a wealth of opportunities, with over 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. We’re committed to building a diverse community that mirrors Arkansas’s rich tapestry, reflecting our dedication to serving the state’s varied population while enhancing the quality of our institution.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary.
 

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Nestled along the Arkansas River, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Old West at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, explore the eclectic local art scene, or take a scenic stroll along the picturesque riverfront trails. With a welcoming community, diverse dining options, and a thriving downtown, Fort Smith is the ideal destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking modern amenities.

Thank you for your interest in joining our university. Below you will find details for the position including any supplementary documentation and/or questions you should review before submitting your application. For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at (479) 788-7080.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please contact Human Resources at 479-788-7080. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position to which they have applied.



Department:

College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences


Department's Website:



Summary of Job Duties:

The Department Head position is both a faculty and an administrative one. Its location is on-site. The position is a 12-month fiscal year contract that requires all the duties of full-time faculty and a 15-credit hour Psychology course load completed during the contract. Its administrative duties include managing full-time and part-time faculty, Psychology program development and growth, evaluation and assessment, and collaboration across the academy. The position reports to the Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Work Experience:

  • Doctorate in Psychology and at least four years of college-level teaching experience teaching Psychology courses.
  • Demonstrated experience in a leadership position, managing others and being a team leader.
  • Demonstrated experience in the effective use of technology in the classroom, the development of instructional materials, and distance learning delivery methods.
  • Experience working with first-generation and non-traditional learners.
  • A teaching philosophy with an emphasis on critical thinking and accessibility is necessary.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Must possess a current knowledge and understanding of developments in Psychology and will be expected to continuously develop and teach relevant and rigorous courses.
  • Teach a variety of PSYC program courses, in their area of expertise and others as needed. High quality instruction in multiple modalities is required, such as In-person, Hybrid, Sync-Online, Full-Online, 8-week, and 16-week.
  • Take part in scholarly, creative, and research activities that can involve student researchers.
  • Participate in service at the department, college, university, community, and professional levels.
  • Engage in student advising; work collaboratively with our academic advisor in assessing graduation audits.
  • Participate in implementation and review of department-level bylaws and carry out standard program assessments and reviews, annual faculty evaluations, recruitment, and retention duties.
  • Engage in curriculum planning, development, and review activities.
  • Create semester course schedules and make appropriate adjustments to the course schedule based on course registrations.
  • Facilitate, manage/oversee, and participate in the Annual Psychology Symposium, our major annual student-focused event. Mentor faculty-student research in preparation for this event, and the Annual UAFS Student Research Symposia.
  • Maintain and facilitate regular department meetings with faculty and staff.
  • Maintain consistent office/availability hours.
  • Attend commencement ceremonies, and other department, college, and university level meetings/events as required.
  • Manage the Department’s fiscal year budget, faculty travel, purchases of Departmental materials, and other expenses.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences.

Other Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Maintain a positive work climate by acting and communicating in a manner to foster teamwork and by providing leadership to Department faculty, staff, and students.
  • Follow protocol. Manage the Department, its faculty, staff, and students in a fair, ethical, professional, and gracious manner.
  • Engage in this position in an upbeat, progressive, and enthusiastic manner.
  • Be an effective faculty advocate and advocate for the needs of the Department and the Psychology program.
  • Equitably engage in problem-resolution situations as they arise.
  • Engage in effective student/faculty/staff recruiting and retention activities.
  • This position is on-site and requires consistent on-time attendance.

Additional Information and Expectations

  • The strategic importance of this position is 4-fold:
     

The position will continue to provide leadership to its faculty, staff, and students, and adds to the necessary breadth of the academic leadership teams at UAFS. Collegiality is required.
The position will continue to facilitate the preparedness of PSYC students for graduate or professional training and otherwise for the workforce.  Additionally, it will encourage and support the professional development of their faculty and staff.

The position will seek out and facilitate the engagement of new technologies for teaching and research benefiting students, faculty, the College, and the University.

The Department Head will continue to work collaboratively across academic programs, colleges, student support services, and otherwise campus-wide to support the mission and initiatives of UAFS.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To perform the job successfully, the following competencies are required for the essential functions of this position:

  • Effective leadership skills
  • Well-developed skills in teamwork
  • Evidence of excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to adapt and perform extra duties as they arise.


Additional Information:

Working Relationships:

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Lateral colleagues (i.e., other Department Heads, Executive Directors, and Program Directors)
  • Department faculty
  • Advising Office (i.e., academic advisors, academic coordinators)
  • Instructional Support
  • Student Support Services
  • Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences

List Employees Supervised:

This position serves as the hiring agent for the Department of Psychology. Hires, fires, supervises, and evaluates full-time Psychology faculty. Hires, fires, supervises, and evaluates part-time Psychology faculty. Administrative Assistant – Supervision is shared with the Social Work program.

Special Job Dimensions:

Physically able to complete all job requirements. Ability to handle the workload of 15 credit hours per year, research, and service broadly defined. Usual work schedule includes a 6-credit hour course load in fall and spring semesters and 3-credit hours in summer. Must teach in multiple modalities, i.e., in-person and distance learning modalities. Work performed primarily seated at a desk in an office, as well as within the classroom setting. Most work is completed electronically via a computer, which demands extended periods of time focusing on a computer screen, completing, and reviewing documents online, responding to emails, attending virtual meetings, and so forth.

Background Check Requirements. Include background checks to be completed for this position.



Salary Information:


$80,000-$108,000/year, commensurate with education and experience.


Required Documents to Apply:


Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)


Optional Documents:


Proof of Veteran Status

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, please apply by March 8, 2024.


Recruitment Contact Information:


Human Resources 479-788-7080


All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.



Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Child Maltreatment, Criminal Background Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, sex offender registry check, financial history background check, and/or drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.



Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes