The Department of Construction and Operations Management at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applicants for the position of Professor and Department Head. SDSU seeks an innovative leader to serve as the Department Head and advance its academic programs, grow funded research, and strengthen outreach to stakeholders in the state and region. This is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-track position. The individual selected for this role will work with the Dean and the leadership team for the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering (JJLCOE) to promote the land-grant mission while implementing a shared vision with the faculty and staff on strategic initiatives for the department. This position is supervised by the Dean of the JJLCOE.
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.
The Construction and Operations Management (COM) Department is one of six departments in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering (JJLCOE) serving 1450 undergraduate and graduate students. The Department serves 350 students in its undergraduate programs which include Construction Management, Construction Technology, Concrete Industry Management, and Electronics Engineering Technology. Graduate programs include Master of Engineering. The department offers a B.S. in Concrete Industry Management (CIM), which is one of only 5 programs in the nation. The CIM program is the largest and fastest growing program within the department and receives significant extramural funding and program support from regional industry, SDSU stakeholders, and the National Steering Committee for CIM.
The Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering has benefitted from substantial investment by its stakeholders in the past 15 years resulting in new buildings, state-of-the-art teaching and research labs, and renovated classrooms. The current academic units of the college are Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Construction & Operations Management, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, and Mechanical Engineering. SDSU Engineering Extension, the SD Local Transportation Assistance Program, EDA University Center, the Water & Environmental Engineering Resource Center and the Image Processing Lab provide outreach and professional services to the state and region.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate will be expected to lead the Construction and Operations Management department in new and emerging opportunities for growing program enrollment and student placement, create a supportive environment for research and extramural funding, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create new opportunities for knowledge transfer and outreach in support of regional economic development. This position will work towards advancing SDSU’s Pathway to Premier strategic plan, including transforming SDSU into R1 Research University by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
SALARY RANGE:
We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
BENEFITS:
South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $60 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusions and access. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Sponsorship is not available for this position, must be eligible to work in the United States.
- Earned doctorate in construction management, Civil engineering, or a closely related field by application date.
- A record of achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service commensurate with the performance expectations for a tenured full professor in the department.
- Financial management experience including revenue, expenditures, and budgeting.
- Ability to engage constructively with people and be adaptable to change.
- Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Successful experience in academic administration and/or parallel experience gained via private sector employment at the middle manager level or higher.
- Strong advocate for student education as demonstrated through active participation in development, implementation and administration of innovative programs, practices, or activities.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in recruitment, retention, and success of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds.
- Clear understanding of current and emerging trends in the construction and concrete industries as demonstrated by the candidate’s knowledge of rapidly changing workforce needs, and the implications on interdisciplinary education and research.
- Ability to forge strong relationships with regional industry leaders and understand industry trends to prepare students for existing and emerging careers.
- Visionary and strategic leadership style with commitment to transparency, consensus-building, and a collegial workplace environment.
- Evidence of professional service to the discipline.
- Ability to lead and manage ABET and other programmatic accreditation procedures.
UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:
South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.
As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.
Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.
Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.
The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by February 29, 2024.
APPLICATION PROCESS: South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” The system will guide you through the electronic application form. The employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, teaching statement (attached as ‘other’ document, limit 2 pages), research statement (attached as ‘work sample’, limit 2 pages), and reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
For questions on this position, contact Dr. Nadim Wehbe at 605-688-5427 or nadim.wehbe@sdstate.edu.
