VACANCY
Head, Mechanical Engineering Department

South Dakota State University

SDSU invites nominations and applications for the Department Head of Mechanical Engineering, a 12-month tenure track position open as of July 1, 2008 or as negotiated.  The Department Head is responsible for the leadership and management of one of the largest departments in the College of Engineering.  The department is currently enjoying strong enrollments, new and renovated facilities, growth in graduate education and research, active ties to regional constituents, and strong program support.  The department and its faculty are well positioned for continued success and this is an exceptional opportunity that will be very rewarding for the right leader.  Some of the important attributes of the ME Department are:

• faculty and staff who are deeply committed to the success of students and the department
• strong undergraduate enrollments
• strong growth in funded research and the graduate program
• last ABET accreditation visit resulted in NGR review (next visit in 2009)
• recent building addition/renovation providing high quality classrooms, offices and laboratories

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A.      Leadership and Administrative Duties and Responsibilities: The leadership and administrative duties and responsibilities for the Head of the ME Department include:

• Providing leadership for the development and growth of ME Department academic programs, research, scholarship and external funding;
• Providing leadership for the faculty in curriculum development and management, ABET and NCA Higher Learning Commission accreditations, and strategic planning;
• Assisting the College of Engineering in fulfilling its Land Grant institutional mission, and helping to achieve the department and institution’s strategic plan;
• Developing and implementing effective strategies for recruitment and retention of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body;
• Developing and fostering productive industry-department relationships through advisory boards, internships, industrial visits, short courses, consulting work, and other collaborative means;
• Working effectively with faculty, staff and administrators across department, college and institution boundaries; and
• Coordinating all administrative and academic functions of the ME Department including hiring and evaluation of faculty and career service personnel, development and implementation of department and institution policies and procedures, and effective delivery of courses.

B.     Teaching and Advising Duties and Responsibilities:  The teaching and advising duties and responsibilities for the Head of the ME Department include:

• Teaching courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in his/her area of expertise to meet the goals of the ME Department; and
• Advising undergraduate and/or graduate students.

C.      Research and Scholarship Duties and Responsibilities:  The research and scholarship duties and responsibilities for the Head of the ME Department include:

• Developing scholarly work related to the ME programs; 
• Enabling the development of departmental infrastructure to increase externally funded research and scholarship; and
• Developing and promoting existing and additional advanced degrees and specializations.

D.      Service Duties and Responsibilities:  All faculty and administrators are expected to contribute to the effective operation of the institution through service work in the form of committees and task force groups.  They are also expected to actively participate in professional/technical societies.  The position also has the responsibility to participate in mandatory meetings and workshops.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Earned Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field
2. Record of innovative and strategic leadership that would apply to a progressive and growing academic environment
3. Documented experience of effective administrative abilities
4. Effective interpersonal relations and motivational skills
5. Effective oral and written communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Earned BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field, from an ABET accredited or equivalent program
2. A record of high achievement in externally funded research and scholarship related to mechanical engineering
3. Professional experience in mechanical engineering practice
4. A record of successful undergraduate and graduate teaching in an ABET-accredited program
5. Active membership in professional engineering societies
6. Licensed or the ability to become licensed as a Professional Engineer
7. Experienced or familiar with distance education delivery methods

SALARY:  Commensurate with qualifications

UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY:

SDSU is a Land-Grant university and the state's largest institution of higher education with an enrollment of approximately 11,000 students.  It is a NCAA Division I university with Carnegie classification of RU/H (Research University-High Activity).  The College of Engineering has a current enrollment of more than 1,500 students and offers 14 undergraduate majors and seven graduate degrees including three Ph.D. programs.  It has been preparing the highest quality engineers for more than 100 years, with ABET accreditation of its engineering programs dating back to 1936.  In recent years it has enjoyed strong growth in enrollments, new academic programs, funded research and engagement with local/regional business and industry.  Each department has a program advisory board comprised of employer constituents from the region.  

SDSU is located in Brookings, South Dakota, a community of approximately 18,000 near the east central border of South Dakota on Interstate 29.  It is 50 miles north of Sioux Falls, a city of approximately 150,000.  Brookings has an excellent K-12 education system, is accessible to major medical facilities, has an active cultural and social environment, and has numerous lakes and parks within convenient driving distance.  It is also a very safe community and one whose residents enjoy the many cultural, professional, educational and sports activities of SDSU.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Nov. 15, 2007 or until filled

MORE INFORMATION ON BROOKINGS AND SOUTH DAKOTA

The following links will help provide a wealth of information about Brookings and South Dakota:

Links for information on South Dakota:

State of SD home page: http://www.state.sd.us/

Links for Brookings, SD:

Brookings directory: http://www.brookings.com/

City of Brookings: http://www.brookingssd.com/

Brookings Chamber of Commerce: http://www.brookingschamber.org/vision_description.htm

Brookings community profile data: http://realestate.yahoo.com/Neighborhoods

Educational Links:

Statistical data on all SD schools: http://doe.sd.gov/ofm/statdigest/index.asp

Brookings, SD public schools: http://www.brookings.k12.sd.us/

Volga, SD public and private schools: http://www.volgacity.com/education.htm

East Central Multidistrict: http://www.ecmdmulti.com/

Links for Brookings Realtors:

Best Choice Realtors: http://www.brookingshomes.com/realtors.htm

Century 21: http://century21bka.com/

Homes.com: http://www.homes.com/Real_Estate/SD/City/BROOKINGS

Krogman Real Estate: http://www.krogmanrealestate.com/

Links to Local/Regional Healthcare:

Brookings Municipal Hospital: http://www.brookingshospital.org/

Avera Brookings Medical Clinic: http://www.averamckennan.org/amck/regionalfacilities/brookingsmedclinic/index.aspx

Sioux Falls Avera McKennan Hospital & University Healthcare: http://www.averamckennan.org

Sioux Falls Sanford Health: http://www.sanfordhealth.org/

Links for Local/Regional Media:

Brookings Register newspaper: http://www.brookingsregister.com/

Sioux Falls Argus Leader newspaper: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Sioux Falls CBS television: http://www.keloland.com/

Sioux Falls NBC television: http://www.kdlt.com/

SD/Brookings Weather/Climate Data:

Monthly average temperature data: http://climate.sdstate.edu/archives/data/tempnormals.shtm

Monthly average precipitation: http://climate.sdstate.edu/archives/data/pptnormals.shtm

Other weather data: http://www.wunderground.com/

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site.  To apply, visit:  http://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this posting.  The system will guide you through the electronic application form.  The employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, resume, and reference page.  Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Kurt Cogswell at (605) 688-6196 or Kurt.Cogswell@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.  Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made at TTY (605) 688-4394. SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities.  Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:  Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Administration 324, SDSU, Brookings, SD  57007.  Phone:  (605) 688-4128.

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