Department Head - Biology

Job Title: Department Head - Biology
Location: Valdosta State University
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 277171
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 communities' 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, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

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.

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 ranked position beginning July 1, 2025. This role involves directing and participating in the teaching and other functions of an academic department, and it carries rank at either the Associate or Full Professor level, with the possibility of tenure.

Valdosta State University is deeply committed to its student body and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment. We seek to recruit and retain outstanding candidates who share our unwavering commitment to collegiality and working together towards a standard set of goals and objectives. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in enhancing the holistic strength of our faculty and staff and contribute significantly to our vibrant community.

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 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 focus advances 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 options. The Department is currently 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 https://www.valdosta.edu/biology/.

Review of completed applications begins November 11, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. For more information on the position please contact Dr. Joseph Robbins, Search Chair, via email [email protected] materials should include the following:
? Cover letter;
? Curriculum Vitae;
? Teaching philosophy that includes a vision of how to create/update curricula to reach the needs and career goals of a diverse student body;
? Research statement that includes their research interests and how to enhance the research mission of a regional public institution and increase opportunities for students and faculty;
? Leadership statement that addresses contemporary challenges facing departments at regional comprehensive universities.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

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:
? Providing effective and inclusive leadership for the Department;
? Seeking to develop inter- and cross-disciplinary intersections to enhance program competitiveness;
? Hiring, managing, and evaluating departmental faculty and staff;
? Conducting regular faculty meetings;
? Fostering a positive department environment that supports excellent teaching, scholarship, and service;
? Establishing a collaborative department vision and agenda that aligns with the university and college strategic plans;
? Developing faculty class schedules every academic semester;
? Supporting students through mentoring, overseeing internships, and, where appropriate, facilitating curricular overrides;
? Teaching courses throughout the academic year;
? Maintaining academic development through research and scholarly activities;
? Attending appropriate conferences, including both professional and academic presentations;
? Supporting experiential learning activities, including undergraduate research;
? Facilitating curriculum reviews to maintain the viability of Biology department programs and their alignment with SACS accreditation requirements;
? Participating in the College Executive Committee;
? Attending monthly meetings of the Council of Department Heads;
? Serving as the Departmental Budget Manager;
? Hiring, managing, and evaluating faculty and staff members in 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 progressively responsible 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 successful grant writing and extramural funding;
? Record of successful community outreach;
? Experience with faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure processes;
? Experience as a department head or chairperson.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Conditions of Employment

Applicant Requirements & Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:
? professional references with current contact information
? documentation of academic credentials
? employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:
? ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
? view social media outlets, and
? remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:
? successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
? reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:
? satisfactory credit check
? successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
? pre-employment drug testing
? confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:
? New employee orientation
? VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
? USG Ethics Policy
? Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
? Drug Free Workplace
? Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
? Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
? Motor Vehicle Policy
? Workers Compensation (new hires)
? Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
? USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
? Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

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.

Background Check
? Position of Trust + Credit
Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].

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