Editor's note: This is re-post, but the original due date was March 15th, and they have since re-opened their search.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) seeks a visionary educator to serve as Director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) and to lead systemic reform-based efforts in STEM education at the local, state and national levels. The Director of the Center will hold the J. Lawrence Walkup Distinguished Professorship and will be responsible for addressing crucial needs in American society for excellence in science/math education. STEM education policy at the K-18 levels and its implementation throughout the science education curriculum are of critical importance to the work of this position.
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning is a teaching, research, evaluation, and curriculum-resource center and a professional development provider for science teachers and pre-service students across the NAU campus and for K-20 science teachers and informal educators statewide. The Director will oversee various programs in the Center including professional development programs, graduate programs in science education, and teaching certification programs including the NAUTeach program which the successful candidate will Co-Direct. The Director will also sit on the university’s Professional Education Unit Coordinating Council and will oversee the implementation of the science programs’ assessment plans and the reporting of student learning outcomes to the university and to the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
The Director will report to the Dean of the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences and must effectively represent CSTL to the university administration, external constituents, and the public. The Director must support CSTL academic and professional programs through curricula and degree program management, must foster and encourage the scholarly agenda within CSTL including maintaining personal scholarly productivity appropriate for appointment as the Walkup Professor, and must interact with a diverse group of partners (federal, state, tribal, as well as external donors) to promote and expand programs. This will be a tenured appointment. CSTL has a state funded office staff (5) and instructional staff (7), as well as a professional development staff (9) that is funded partially by state funds and partially by $1M in external funding.
Minimum Qualifications
- An earned doctorate in a STEM or education field with advanced study in both science and education.
- Professional credentials commensurate with a tenured appointment in the College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences at Northern Arizona University.
- At least six years of experience following the completion of the Ph.D. in professional and/or scholarly activity related to the missions of CSTL.
- At least two years of higher education administrative experience including personnel supervision.
- Professional credentials commensurate with appointment as the J. Lawrence Walkup Professor (demonstrating the highest academic credentials of teaching, research or leadership qualities).
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional credentials commensurate with appointment as Professor at Northern Arizona University (please see http://www2.nau.edu/~provo-p/
doc/COFS_5_11_09.pdf for requirements). - A national / international reputation in science education.
- Excellent teaching credentials at the university level.
- Experience in obtaining and managing extramural funded projects.
- Record of scholarship in science education
- Demonstrated involvement in the policy issues of reform in science education in K-12 schools.
- Proof of leadership experience in effecting educational change in science education.
- A commitment to curriculum reform that contributes to improved science education at all levels.
- Experience with teacher preparation programs.
- Experience with NCATE accreditation
- Proven success with NSTA national recognition.
- Experience at the public school level.
- A commitment to support the multicultural needs of Northern Arizona University and the surrounding area.
Northern Arizona University has a student population of about 25,000 at its main campus in Flagstaff and at over 30 sites across the state.
Committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment, NAU has earned a solid reputation as a university with all the features of a large institution but with a personal touch, with a faculty and staff dedicated to each student’s success. All faculty members are expected to promote student learning and help students achieve academic outcomes.
While our emphasis is undergraduate education, we offer a wide range of graduate programs and research. Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.
Flagstaff has a population of about 65,000, rich in cultural diversity. Located at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is 140 miles north of Phoenix at intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.
Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.
The salary range for this position is $84,000 to $90,000 for the academic year, commensurate with experience and qualifications, $10,000 summer salary for functioning as the NAUTeach Co-Director, plus potential additional summer salary from the Walkup Endowment and/or funded grants.
Please send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, evidence of preferred qualifications, and names and contact information for three to five professional references. Hardcopy materials can be sent to:
Director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning Search Committee
Attn: Jamie Baxter
Box 5621
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5621
For questions regarding the position please contact Kathryn Hildebrand at kathryn.hildebrand@nau.edu. Please note that professional references will be contacted only for the most highly qualified applicants, and that both a letter and a phone interview will be requested from those individuals.
