Associate Professor/Cille and Ron Williams Community Chair for Early Childhood, Teacher Education

Job Description or Duties: 

The Community Chair is an endowed, tenured faculty position at the associate or full professor-level with a five-year renewable appointment as the Cille and Ron Williams Chair. The Community Chair reports to the Chair of the Teacher Education Department, and 25 percent of the Community Chair’s time will be dedicated to the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. The Community Chair will provide leadership in early childhood teacher education and outreach to the state in this area of critical need, and will participate in and initiate programs and research in conjunction with the Buffett Institute with the goal of increasing the quality, quantity, and skills of those working with children from birth to Grade 3 and their families in Nebraska. The Community Chair will adopt an integrated approach to early childhood education and development through theory, research, and practice that links empirical research with the creation of programs, ideas, and tools for practitioners and community members.  The Community Chair’s responsibilities include teaching, research, service, and work with the local community with a focus on developing, implementing, and evaluating programming that relates to early childhood teacher education and child development. The Community Chair will lend research and evaluation support for the UNK Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center. The Community Chair will be expected to lead collaborative efforts across colleges to apply research and knowledge to communities of practice and to provide expertise in seeking grant-funded projects, leading independent initiatives, planning regional forums, participating in national conferences, and developing publications and other communication initiatives. In partnership with the Buffett Institute and Teacher Education faculty, the Community Chair will create learning opportunities for students, community leaders, scholars, and others interested in early childhood teacher education. The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $120,000 based on experience, plus benefits. 

Required Qualifications:              

 Doctoral degree in education, or a closely allied discipline. A record of research and teaching sufficient to merit appointment as an associate or full professor and also have a track record of significant community engagement. Skilled at collaboratively working with colleagues across multiple disciplines and campuses.

Preferred Qualifications:             

Experience in obtaining external funding and working in interdisciplinary settings. Familiarity in working with rural populations. Experience in teaching P-12 students.

HOW TO APPLY: To ensure full consideration, please submit all application materials before review date March 15, 2021. For more information and to apply visit UNK Employment Opportunities. For more information about the position contact: Dr. Drew Kemp at kempa@unk.edu .    For more information about the online application process contact: 308-865-8516 or employment@unk.edu.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:  With contingent offer of employment, the University of Nebraska will conduct an investigation of employment records, educational records, criminal records, and other records to verify the information provided in your application and/or any additional information you have provided is accurate.  Salaries at the University of Nebraska at Kearney are competitive.  The University provides a flexible benefits program at minimal cost to the employee. Benefit choices include a Medical Plan and Prescription Drug Program, Vision Care, Dental Plan, LTD, Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Dependent Life Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, and Reimbursement Accounts for Health and Dependent Care.  The Employee and Dependent Scholarship program is also available to eligible employees.  Basic Retirement Plan options include TIAA and Fidelity.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney, serving over 6,000 students, is one of four University of Nebraska campuses. Established in 1905, the University has a tradition of emphasis in scholarly teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in a variety of disciplines. Kearney, a progressive city of over 33,000, is the educational, medical, cultural, commercial, and agricultural center of a large mid-state area. http://www.unk.edu/  The University of Nebraska at Kearney is responsive to University issues which support a diverse work and academic environment.  The University of Nebraska at Kearney does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. This policy is applicable to all University administered programs including educational programs, financial aid, admission policies and employment policies.  UNK is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity employer. Veterans and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply. The University affirms a policy of equal educational and employment opportunities, affirmative action in employment and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. University employees, students and others associated with the University who have not received the benefits of these policies, are encouraged to contact the Chief Compliance Officer/ADA Coordinator.

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