OT Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and Assistant/Associate Professor, School of Speech, Language, Hearing, & Occupational Sciences

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College. *Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.

Do you have a passion for education and research, and a desire to make a lasting impact, all while living in a picturesque town touted as one of the best places live in the US? We are seeking an exceptional tenure-track faculty member to join the rapidly growing School of Speech, Language, Hearing, & Occupational Sciences at University of Montana. Occupational Therapists with a PhD are strongly encouraged to apply, but we will also consider candidates with an OTD and relevant experience. This position is integral to our creating and initiating the entry-level OTD program at UM--- the first OT program at a public university in Montana ever! If you have an innovative mindset, a dedication to excellence, a desire to foster an environment of intellectual curiosity and professional growth, and want to live in a place known for its excellent quality of life and abundant recreational opportunities, the School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences at the University of Montana is the ideal place for you.

A successful candidate will be expected to assist in developing and accrediting our program, create robust opportunities for the doctoral capstone portion of our program, cultivate a program of research, pursue funding for research or service programs, teach graduate courses (academic and/or clinical), advise and mentor students, direct student research, and participate in school, college, and university service.  Documented experience in program development and the OTD doctoral capstone experience highly regarded. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess outstanding interpersonal skills, facilitating collaboration and fostering partnerships within the academic and clinical communities.

The position begins as early as June 2024.

Position Details:

Tenure Track Faculty: Speech, Language, Hearing, & Occupational Sciences

Title: Assistant Professor or Associate Professor

Position Type: Academic

Closing Date: Applications accepted until position is filled

Schedule: Full time academic year position

Entry Rate: $70,000 entry level; range depending on experience

Benefits: Medical Insurance/Mandatory Retirement Contribution, 50% family tuition waiver in all Montana University System colleges and universities

Primary Duties: Teaching, scholarship, and service. Teaching responsibilities may include a combination of graduate, and clinical courses.

Required Skills/Experience:

• Doctoral degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Strongly prefer PhD, but will consider OTD
• Certification as an occupational therapist. Applicants must be registered by NBCOT and must be eligible for an OT license for the State of Montana
• A minimum of four (4) years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy including:
  • Clinical practice as a post-licensure occupational therapist with experience working inter- professional and supervising occupational therapy students
  • For a tenure-track appointment, evidence of scholarship (e.g., scholarship of teaching and learning, scholarship of research) including peer-reviewed publications, presentations and examples of graduate-level teaching
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience of teaching experience, demonstrated content delivery methods and ability to teach independently in a graduate clinical program
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills including the ability to work with diverse populations
• An innovative mindset and leadership skills to drive program development
• Capable of acquiring extramural funding
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies
• Ability to collaborate with professionals in academic and clinical settings; team-oriented

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience in coordinating the Doctoral Capstone experience and project in an OTD program
• Evidence of successful academic/funding/administrative experience at the University level
• Established record of obtaining extramural funding

About The School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences:

The University of Montana’s School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences (SLHOS) is part of the College of Health at the University of Montana. The SLP program is accredited through the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAPCSD) and the OTD program will be submitting its candidacy for accreditation to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) by December 2023.  SLHOS already boasts a thriving student body including PhD candidates, master's students, undergraduate majors, leveling students, and SLPA students and we are excited to add a cohort of graduate students in OT in the fall of 2025.  At SLHOS, we embrace innovative teaching methods, including campus-based, synchronous online, and asynchronous online instruction, ensuring flexibility and accessibility in delivering course content. As a faculty member, you will have the opportunity to lead an active research lab, pursue rigorous research endeavors, and contribute to the scholarship of teaching. Our commitment to excellence extends to our on-campus DeWit RiteCare Clinic, where faculty engage in innovative clinical training programs. We foster a collaborative environment, encouraging inter- professional research and training collaborations with international, national, regional, and campus partners.

The College of Health, which also houses Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Social Work, Family Medicine Residency, and Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training, provides a fertile environment for collaboration. Faculty within the College lead an innovative, campus-wide, interdisciplinary neuroscience program dedicated to advancing research on the brain, behavior, and diseases of the nervous system. Interdisciplinary clinical and research collaborations are highly valued and supported across these units, and campus-wide.

About UM and Missoula:

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 500+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Missoula, Montana—a vibrant and captivating city of approximately 75,000 citizens. Boasting a unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, a thriving cultural scene, and a warm and welcoming community, Missoula is an absolute gem. Surrounded by majestic mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and lush forests, outdoor enthusiasts are treated to a playground of adventure, offering hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, and countless other recreational opportunities. The city's vibrant downtown pulses with life, featuring a delightful mix of local boutiques, eclectic eateries, and lively entertainment venues. Missoula is also home to a rich artistic and cultural heritage, with its theaters, art galleries, and music festivals showcasing the talents of both local and international artists. Missoula was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 8th in USA Today’s 2019 “Top 25 Best Cities for People with Active Lifestyles”. It is the genuine and tight-knit community that truly sets Missoula apart. Known for its friendly residents, community engagement, and a strong sense of civic pride, Missoula fosters a warm and inclusive atmosphere that instantly makes everyone feel at home.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference - Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References - *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing - Individual hiring departments at UM-M may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility - All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply:

Application review has begin and will continue, but this position will remainOPEN UNTIL FILLED.

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal  and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button.  *Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

• Cover letter addressing the qualifications, a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and the interest in this position
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Unofficial graduate transcripts – Official transcripts will be due upon hire.
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application.  Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above. 

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

Missoula, Montana, United States