Professor /Chair Urban Planning and Environmental Policy

Posting Details

Title Information

Security Sensitive Position?

Yes

Hours of Work

TBD

Position Details

Position Information

Posting Number

TSU203842

Official TSU Title

Professor /Chair Urban Planning and Environmental Policy

Grant Title

N/A

Job Description Summary / TWC Summary

JOB SUMMARY :

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.

Essential Duties Summary

• 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 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.

% FTE

1.0

Hiring Range

Commensurate with experience.

Education

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.

Required Licensing/Certification

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.

Work Experience

• 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.

Working/Environmental Conditions

Work is performed within routine office environment with no exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions. Physical demands are usually limited to sitting or standing in one location much of the time. Some stooping, lifting, or carrying objects of light weight may be required.

• Prolonged standing and/or walking.
• Handling light weight objects.
• Using or carrying equipment.

Desired start date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Posting Detail Information

UA EEO Statement

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act.

Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures

Close Date

Open Until Filled (overrides close field)

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Open to all applicants.

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have an earned doctorate in Urban Planning,

Environmental Policy, or a similar field?

• Yes
• No
• * Are you eligible for a tenure track appointment at the

Associate Professor or Professor level?

• Yes
• No
• * Do you meet SACSCOC faculty credentialing requirements as

stated in Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org)?

• Yes
• No
• * Do you have the Certification through the American Institute

of Certified Planners (AICP)?

• Yes
• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Official Transcripts

Optional Documents

• Other Document
• Reference Letter 1
• Reference Letter 2
• Reference Letter 3