The Administrative Department Chair is a full time, 12 month contracted position This position is an academic administrator, as well as a member of the faculty, whose primary role is to maintain the integrity of academic operations within the school and that those operational processes are in alignment with the University mission and vision for the student experience. Other duties may be required, as determined by University and/or College/School leadership.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Faculty and Curriculum:
- Oversee and ensure timely and accurate completion of all administrative functions related to doctoral programs in the Helms School of Government.
- Establish, communicate, and consistently administer academically appropriate standards for research produced by students in Helms School of Government doctoral programs.
- Evaluate and ensure the effectiveness of faculty, course materials, and other academic resources in preparing students for success in doctoral research.
- Communicate hiring needs and recommendations to the department supervisor in concert with administrative staff feedback and assistance. Assist the department during hiring process, including review of applicant files, participation in interviews, taking notes, and making recommendations.
- Develop and implement departmental processes and procedures to ensure compliance with all relevant policies related to doctoral programs.
- Serve as a member of the department’s leadership team and work collaboratively with the other administrators to maintain the efficient functioning of the department.
- Develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure the efficient functioning of the department and to support the students at the university.
2. Administrative and Financial Affairs:
- Supervise the Helms School of Government doctoral support team.
- Investigate and resolve all student complaints and appeals related to doctoral programs.
- Investigate and resolve all academic disagreements between or among students and faculty.
- Participate in departmental, all-faculty, vendor, and publisher meetings.
- Assist with planning annual budget for relevant area of oversight.
3. University Service:
- May periodically serve on one or more of the following types of University, College/School, or departmental committees: Faculty Senate, Faculty Senate Committees, Undergraduate Administrative and Curriculum Council, Graduate Administrative and Curriculum Council, school/department, and/or special committees.
- Attend special University events, including faculty orientation, baccalaureate, and commencement exercises, team building exercises, etc.
- Periodically work on special projects and assignments, contributing to the overall efforts of the academic division and the University as a whole.
4. Spiritual Leadership:
- Encourage a commitment to the Christian life, one of personal integrity, sensitivity to the needs of others, social responsibility, and active communication of the Christian faith, and, as it is lived out, a life that leads people to Jesus Christ as the Lord of the universe and their own personal Savior.
- Support and foster Liberty University’s doctrinal beliefs.
- Support and foster the spiritual development of faculty, staff, and students, ensuring that Christian values remain the focus of our mission and purpose at Liberty University.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Does position directly or indirectly supervise other employees? ☒ YES ☐ NO
Does position supervise subordinate supervisors? ☒ YES ☐ NO
If yes, please list the subordinate supervisors (names and titles) reporting to this position.
(Assistant) Director of Doctoral Programs
How many employees are indirectly overseen by this position through subordinate supervisors?
2-5
Does this position directly oversee non-supervisory personnel? ☒ YES ☐ NO
If yes, how many non-supervisory personnel are directly overseen by this position?
~100 online adjunct faculty
Does position interact with individuals/entities outside the company? ☒ YES ☐ NO
If yes, please describe: Prospective students, prospective faculty, vendors.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or a field closely related to the doctoral programs offered by the Helms School of Government (required)
Other Qualifications
- Evidence of extensive academic research and publication (required)
- Evidence of extensive contributions to academic research, including successful service as a research mentor, dissertation committee member, and/or peer reviewer for refereed journals (required)
- Evidence of extensive knowledge of research design and methods, extensive and successful teaching of research design and methods, and effective student mentorship (required)
- Evidence of effective university-level administration and faculty oversight (required)
- Demonstrated commitment to mentoring a diverse student body and fostering respectful, inclusive learning environments consistent with Liberty’s Christian mission (required)
- Experience with curricular development and planning (preferred)
- Experience with technologies related to online delivery of higher education (preferred)
ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB
Communication and Comprehension
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated information.
- Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Ability to contribute to a team environment and contribute expertise at appropriate times.
- Ability to show respect to colleagues and to work in a collegial manner.
Problem Solving
- Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
Physical and Sensory Abilities
- Occasionally required to travel to local and campus locations.
- Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
- Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the building.
- Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment
The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled office setting. It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate.
This job description is designed to provide an employee with a basic understanding of the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities entailed in the performance of his or her job with Liberty University (LU). It is not intended to be all-inclusive. This description does not constitute an employment contract, either expressed or implied. Employment with Liberty University is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or LU with or without advance notice for any reason or for no reason at all. Only the President and Chancellor is authorized to make changes to any LU policy. Job functions and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of management. Efforts will be made to provide advanced notice of such changes whenever possible.
Time Type
Full time
Location
Onsite
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.