Department Chair, Social Work and Gerontology

UNCG DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

Department Chair Position

The Department of Social Work and Gerontology Program at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair. This position is available to start July 1, 2023.

University Information: UNCG is a public, coeducational, doctoral-granting, residential university and one of the three original institutions of the University of North Carolina System. The University holds two classifications from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching — as a “doctoral university with high research activity” and for deep “community engagement” in its curriculum, outreach and partnerships. With an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students, including 3,780 graduate students and 3,000+ faculty and staff, UNCG is the largest and most diverse university in the Triad. The University is known for its inclusive learning community with a campus wide culture that embodies access, equity, diversity, excellence and collaboration. UNC Greensboro is a community of learners situated within a network of historical and contemporary relationships with Native American tribes, communities, parents, students, and alumni. We acknowledge that the land we gather on has long served as the site of meeting and exchange amongst a number of Indigenous peoples, specifically the Keyauwee and Saura. For the fourth consecutive year, UNCG has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. UNCG is a Minority Serving Institution, with a student body in Fall 2019 consisting of approximately 34% undergraduates identifying as African American and approximately 12% of undergraduates identifying as Hispanic or Latinx. UNCG also serves a significant proportion of students with financial need, with approximately 52% of UNCG students eligible for need-based Pell Grants, resulting in the U.S. Department of Education officially recognizing UNCG as a Title III Part A institution

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit: It is an especially exciting time for the UNCG Social Work Department as we near our 50th year of partnership with the Department of Social Work and Sociology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) a historically Black university (HBCU). Specifically, the Joint Master of Social Work (JMSW) Program and the Joint Doctorate in Social Work (JPhD) Program are joint programs with N.C. A&T, and the BSW Program has a longstanding joint field program with N.C. A&T. The Department has over 300 BSW majors, over 100 MSW students, over 30 PhD students, 18 full-time faculty, administrative staff, and adjunct faculty members. Additionally, the Department of Social Work is home to the Gerontology Program, its own unique discipline, which consists of an Undergraduate Minor, a fully online Master of Science (MS), and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology. The highly ranked MS in Gerontology is the only accredited and online Gerontology program serving North Carolina and one of only two accredited programs serving the east coast. The Department of Social Work, the Gerontology Program, School, and University place a high value on community-engaged scholarship, outreach, and partnerships. The UNCG Department of Social Work has a strong demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, anti-Black racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and student-centered social work education.

Position Summary: The Chair reports to the Dean of the School of Health and Human Sciences and is supported by administrative staff members. The Chair provides strategic and visionary leadership to advance the teaching, research, and service/outreach missions of the Department and School. The primary responsibilities of the Chair are to work closely with Social Work faculty, students, and staff, the Dean, and other campus leaders to:

1. Provide department and program oversight
2. Partner with N.C. A&T to ensure the successful implementation of the joint programs
3. Manage budgeted resources and submit budget reports and plans
4. Coordinate departmental personnel and resources (setting workloads, making course assignments, hiring adjunct instructors, assigning committee duties, assigning advising loads, establishing class schedules, oversight for the work of non-faculty)
5. Support the professional development of faculty and staff
6. Provide personnel oversight related to onboarding, mentorship, annual performance reviews, reappointment, promotion, promotion and tenure, and recommended salary changes
7. Facilitate collaborative problem-solving, visioning, and strategic thinking to strengthen and enhance the Department’s mission Advance and support the Department’s ongoing anti-racist and social justice efforts
8. Advance and support the Department’s ongoing anti-racist and social justice efforts
9. Foster relations with community partners, donors, alumni, and potential students

The Chair serves as the primary voice and advocate for the Department and Gerontology Program at the School and University levels. The Chair is also charged with implementing departmental, school, University, and UNC system policies. Involvement in some teaching and scholarship as commensurate with the duties as Chair is also expected.

  Minimum Qualifications: The successful candidate must: 

• Hold a masters and a doctorate in social work (preferred) or a related social science field

• Be eligible for tenure at the professor rank 

• Have previous administrative experience, which may include, but is not limited to, chairing a department, directing an undergraduate and/or graduate program, or directing a center/program

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership of organizational or team-based practices that promote anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and that build or re-envision capacity in these areas A dynamic and visionary leadership style characterized by collaborative/participatory decision making, flexibility, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders Demonstrated capacity to make contributions to teaching, research, scholarship, and service as a senior faculty member Scholarly expertise that integrates considerations of anti-racism, anti-Black racism, or diversity, equity, inclusion in social work education and practice, or in areas of research activity

For more information about the UNCG Department of Social Work, please visit http://www.uncg.edu/swk/.  

The School of Health and Human Sciences (HHS), through teaching, scholarship, community engagement and service, prepares new generations of professionals, leaders, scholars, and entrepreneurs to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities. HHS includes 10 academic departments, an advising center, an office of research, and degree programs at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. In addition to student body diversity, HHS employs a diverse faculty and staff, with 20% of faculty identified as minoritized faculty. For additional information on the School of HHS, visit http://uncg.edu/hhs 

Greensboro is situated in the Piedmont Triad, an area of great natural beauty, diverse industry, cultural arts, and mild temperatures. The Triad area is an ideal setting for the social work teacher and scholar who values balance. Greensboro, with a population of about 280,000, is a thriving, civic-minded city with its own Symphony Orchestra, Community Theater, Opera Company, Civic Ballet, and many outstanding public and private recreation areas and facilities. North Carolina’s mountain region is an easy two-hour drive from Greensboro and the beaches of North and South Carolina are three to four hours away. The Research Triangle is about an hour and a half away. More information is available at: http://www.piedmonttriadnc.com/ 

 Review of applications will begin immediately and proceed until the position is filled.  

 Application should be made through UNCG https://spartantalent.uncg.edu/ 

 Applicants should apply online at https://spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/24934.

 Questions may be directed to Dr. Danielle Swick, Chair of the Search Committee for this position at dcswick@uncg.edu.   

 AA/EOE: UNCG is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Moreover, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is committed to recruiting and advancing women and minorities at all faculty/staff levels. For individuals with disabilities requiring disability‐related accommodations in the application and interview process, please email us at askeeo@uncg.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree verified prior to start date. UNCG participates in E‐Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.