Description

Under the general guidance of the Dean, School of Public Affairs, the Department Chair will be responsible for the administrative and academic functions of the Urban Planning and Environmental Policy Department.  The Department offers the Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy.  The Department Chair will maintain a 75% teaching load during the academic year at the graduate level, lead the faculty in continued curricular development, engage in and encourage active research, promote outreach and engagement relevant to the Texas Southern University designation as a special purpose institution for urban programming, and lead initiatives to develop and advance the department. The Chair will work with the Planning Accreditation Board and other governing bodies to maintain program accreditations. This is a 12-month appointment with direct reporting to the Dean of the School of Public Affairs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Successful candidates should have distinguished record of successful program or department level administration in a PAB accredited planning program, experience teaching in higher education, a reputation for research and intellectual leadership, and a demonstrated ability for securing external funds.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach graduate level courses at the master’s and doctoral levels.
• Engages in, encourages and promotes active research, promotes outreach/engagement.
• Assumes responsibility for the administrative and academic functions of the department 
• Leads the faculty in continued curricular and co-curricular development.
• Leads the faculty in expanding and extending reach of program.     
• Assist the Dean in supervising and directing the work activities of staff in department.  
• Supervises faculty and staff and provides overall direction and expectations for the department.  
• Maintains human resources responsibilities and authority for faculty and staff.  
• Serve as the primary departmental contact for institutional advancement, recruitment, and retention efforts.
• Coordinate the efforts of faculty search/screen committees.
• Promote team effort within the department for addressing departmental and institutional issues.
• Work to maintain civility and respect among faculty, faculty/students, and faculty/university offices.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the Dean and Provost.

 Academic Leadership & Administration

• Implement the department's mission through short- and long-term planning aligned with the university's vision statement, the school's strategic plan, and departmental goals.
• Provide administrative oversight for course scheduling, faculty assignments, and part-time staffing to ensure effective delivery of academic programs.
• Lead program review processes to evaluate existing degree programs, accreditation and certification compliance, and other academic offerings; facilitate the development and implementation of new or improved programs.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, advisement, mentoring and professional development of faculty and staff in collaboration with departmental faculty.
• Administer performance evaluations and make recommendations regarding faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
• Represent the department as a liaison to other university offices, divisions, and external constituencies. 
• Manage departmental facilities and equipment to promote quality instruction across classroom and laboratory environments, where applicable.
• Support student success by connecting graduates with employment opportunities or pathways to graduate and professional programs.

Budget & Fiscal Responsibilities

• Administer the departmental budget in a fiscally responsible manner consistent with University policy.
• Collaborate with faculty and the Dean in planning, developing, and monitoring the Departmental budget on an annual basis.

Leadership, Engagement & Accreditation

• Mentor and coach department faculty; foster a collegial and high-performing departmental culture.
• Contribute to PAB accreditation efforts, including assurance of learning, faculty qualification standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain alumni relations; support fundraising efforts and work effectively with advisory board(s).
• Build and sustain connections with the regional and national public service and non-profit community to inform curriculum direction and enhance student opportunities.

Serve on elected and appointed college and university committees; fulfill other duties as assigned by the dean. Participate regularly in chairs leadership council.

Teaching & Scholarly Activity

• Maintain a 75% teaching load during the academic year at the graduate level; primary mode of instruction is face-to-face.
• Remain intellectually active and maintain currency in the discipline through peer-reviewed research, publication, and professional development activities.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• An earned doctorate in Urban Planning, Environmental Policy, or a similar field is required.  The successful applicant should be eligible for a tenure track appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level.
• Candidates must meet SACSCOC faculty credentialing requirements as stated in Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org).
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment or water treatment system.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) desired but not required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Higher education administration, academic governance, and university operations.
• Curriculum development, program assessment, and student learning outcomes measurement.
• PAB accreditation standards, SACSCOC accreditation core requirements, and faculty credentialing best practices.
• Programs within department in terms of requirements, policy, procedure, operation, and management; accreditation requirements generally and specifically those that apply to the university.
• Budget management principles and fiscal accountability within a university environment.
• Current trends and issues in urban and regional planning, environmental policy, housing and community development, geospatial analysis, including experiential learning, engaged pedagogy, and program innovation.
• Supervisory techniques.
• Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications.

Skill in:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and administrative skills with demonstrated ability to manage complex academic departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus, resolve conflict, and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency in strategic planning, assessment, and data-informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage course scheduling, faculty workloads, and departmental resources effectively.

Ability to:

• Ability to develop strategic direction, goals, plans, and procedures for the department within the general scope of established operational goals and plans.
• Ability to maintain a fair, transparent, and ethical approach to personnel decisions and departmental governance.
• Ability to lead and inspire faculty and staff toward shared departmental and institutional goals.
• Ability to cultivate productive relationships with alumni, advisory boards, community stakeholders, and the broader community.
• Ability to balance administrative responsibilities with an active teaching and scholarly agenda.
• Ability to mentor faculty at various career stages and support their professional development and success.
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive, complex, and/or confidential information.
• Ability to anticipate customer needs and regularly motivate or influence faculty and staff to deliver customer service excellence.  
• Ability to informally mediate conflicts between departmental faculty.