Master of Public Health Program Director, Department of Population Health

University of North Dakota

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Master of Public Health Program Director, Department of Population Health

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and Health Sciences in its search for Master of Public Health Program Director, Department of Population Health.

For full consideration, please apply before April 5th. 

The Mission of the University of North Dakota Public Health Program is to promote health and well-being and develop a culturally aware public health workforce through innovative and collaborative approaches to education, scholarship, and service within local communities, our region, and the world. The program’s vision is to improve population health in North Dakota, the Northern Plains, and beyond.

The Public Health Program is housed within the Department of Population Health at UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and offers the Master of Public Health degree with three specializations, dual degree options, and a Certificate in Public Health. The program prepares students to respond to the growing demand for public health professionals who can transform data into policies and programs to improve population health. The MPH is a 42/43-credit graduate degree with a 21-credit core curriculum, 15-credit specialization curriculum and six credits for an Applied Practice Experience (practicum) and culminating experience (scholarly project). UND offers three MPH specializations: Health Management & Policy; Indigenous Health; and Population Health Research & Analytics. 

The number of students who enroll increases yearly, and the scope of the program's activities is expanding. The UND SMHS Department of Population Health and the Public Health Program is seeking to recruit a Director to direct the program and teach several courses in the MPH curricula. The appointed candidate will also serve as an academic advisor to multiple MPH students. 

MPH courses are offered on-campus and in online synchronous and online asynchronous formats.  Courses to be taught may include: 

1. Public Health & Health Care Systems (Lead Instructor) 
2. Public Health Seminar (Lead Instructor) 
3. Student Advising and other courses as appropriate  

This position will work in close collaboration with the public health program manager, faculty, and other staff to advance the MPH Program. This position reports to the Chair of department of the director’s respective discipline regarding discipline-specific activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration: 

• Mentor MPH students and serve as an academic advisor. 
• Responsible for content of Public Health Program, including faculty recruitment and retention. 

Research: 

• Collaborate with public health faculty on developing externally funded projects based on professional public health expertise. 
• Work with graduate students and create research assistantship opportunities.  

Teaching and advising:

MPH courses are taught on-campus and in online synchronous and online asynchronous formats. Blackboard is the teaching platform. Synchronous courses use Zoom, and asynchronous courses use Yuja and VoiceThread technologies. Each 3-credit class counts as 10% FTE and teaching a 3-credit course in both synchronous and asynchronous formats counts as 20% FTE. This position will serve as the Primary Instructor for MPH Core course: 

• PH 510: Public Health & Health Care Systems: This course introduces students to health care delivery systems, which provide diagnosis and treatment of health problems in societies. Topics include the organization, financing, and performance of health care delivery systems. Differences between rural and urban health systems, as well as international differences, are studied. Ethical issues related to the delivery of health care are discussed. 2 credit course—synchronous and asynchronous
• PH 590: Public Health Seminar: The MPH Seminar in Leadership and Advocacy is one component of the MPH Culminating Experience. The course is intended to build skills that will help students effectively put their public health knowledge into practice in organizations and communities. Through development of leadership and advocacy skills, students also synthesize and apply knowledge acquired through previous coursework and other public health learning experiences. 1 credit course—synchronous and asynchronous
• Student Advising and other courses as appropriate

Service:

• Service includes contribution to the institution/school/department (e.g. committees), to the profession (e.g. professional organizations), and to the community (e.g. boards, etc.).
• Service expectations are commensurate with percent FTE and consistent with promotion guidelines. 

It is expected that this position will generate 30% of salary from external sources for research and creative activity by the end of the first year.
 

Minimum Requirements:  

• Terminal degree in public health, medicine, health systems, health administration, or related field.
• Demonstrated prior leadership experience gained within an academic environment, preferably in a CEPH accredited public health program.
• Proven distinguished record of teaching at the graduate level.
• One-year experience and proficiency in using distance technologies for communications (webinars, online modules, or televideo, etc.).  
• Demonstrated track record of research grant acquisition and management.
• Successful completion of a criminal history record check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire

Preferred Requirements: 

• MPH degree in addition to terminal degree.
• Expertise in a UND MPH specialization, including Indigenous Health, Population Health Research & Analytics and/or Health Management & Policy. 
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Broad understanding of opportunities and challenges in public health within the rural healthcare environment.
• Ability to recruit and retain outstanding faculty.

Understanding of the current and emerging issues in public health in education, research, and service and how they potentially will impact the mission and goals of SMHS and UND.

About the Institution  

  

Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, UND gave North Dakota its name when the former Dakota Territory separated into two distinct states. Today, UND is a busy 521-acre campus with more than 13,600 students and 2,350 dedicated faculty members and staff. A leading economic driver in the state, the University offers high-quality education in more than 225 academic fields across nine different colleges. It nurtures and supports a strong core of liberal arts and sciences and has developed special missions in life sciences, fine arts, aerospace, unmanned flight operations, engineering, and energy disciplines. UND focuses on creating world-class academic programs responsive to the needs of not only the state and its residents but also the nation and the world. Our students come from all 50 states and 94 countries. The University of North Dakota was founded by people who wanted to make a difference - to better their lives and the lives of others. UND LEADS builds on this legacy and reflects the wisdom and dreams of our entire UND community. It represents our history and guides our future: a future where people are empowered to make a difference and where the torch of knowledge, reflected in the symbol of our Eternal Flame, will be passed on to those who can help lead the way. To learn more about the UND LEADS strategic plan, please visit: https://und.edu/about/strategic-plan/ 

   

Living in the Area  

  

Grand Forks, its sister city of East Grand Forks, Minn., and nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base make up the Greater Grand Forks area. Many cite the people as their favorite thing about this college town of more than 65,000, but there’s plenty to see and do. It’s a safe and friendly community that’s as passionate about UND as its students are.  

With grassland prairies to the west and Minnesota lakes and forests to the east, Grand Forks has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country. Short commutes, a great public school system, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages. Grand Forks consistently ranks high in comparative surveys for business, education, quality of life and community safety, making it an excellent choice for families and professionals alike.  

• No. 1 Place to Live in North Dakota — Money  
• Top 5 Best Small College Towns — USA Today  
• Best College Town in North Dakota — Far & Wide  
• Top 25 Most Exciting Small Cities in America — Business Insider and Movoto Real Estate  
• Top 10 Biking City — People for Bikes
• Top 100 of America’s Best Small Cities — CNNMoney  
• America’s Best Hockey Town — SmartAsset (five years in a row)  

Greater Grand Forks offers plenty of outdoor recreation, restaurants, nightlife and shopping opportunities. A wide variety of arts organizations, symphony orchestra, galleries, museums and exceptional athletic facilities ensure a vibrant cultural and sporting community. Grand Forks hosts many fun activities year-round. Art on the Red, an outdoor festival held every June, draws about 30,000 people to view art, listen to live music, play games and enjoy the summer weather. Each fall, the community comes together for Potato Bowl week. Activities include the UND Potato Bowl game and the French Fry Feed, where more than 2.5 tons of french fries were served in University Park, setting a new world record in 2015. The city-owned Alerus Center, home of the UND football team, hosts a variety of major events, including conventions, conferences and big-name concerts. Along with the Chester Fritz Auditorium, located on UND’s campus, and the Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks has hosted some of the biggest names in music — among them, Elton John, Cher, The Eagles, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Metallica and Aerosmith. The Greenway along the Red River offers 2,200 acres of open, natural settings for four-season recreation. Parks, bike trails, golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools provide summer recreation, while favorite winter activities and sports include cross country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, skating and ice hockey. State and national parks and picturesque lakes are found throughout the region, providing excellent hunting and fishing. Plus, Grand Forks is near major metropolitan areas—just under five hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul and about two hours from Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out www.GrandForksisCooler.com   

  

To Apply  

For full consideration, please apply before April 5th. 

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy6qpyy

 
Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.  

 
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially. 

 
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.  

  
Inquiries and questions: Please send to UNDMPHDirector@acesrch.com 

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.   

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing, and selection purposes.

Confidentiality of Application Materials   
Note: Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three finalists who will be invited to campus.  

  

EEO Statement   
UND is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.  Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be invited to provide information regarding their gender, race and/or ethnicity, veteran’s status, and disability status during the application process.  This information will remain confidential and separate from your application.    

    
Veteran’s Preference   
Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 and if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the last 12 months.   
    
Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.  The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus.  As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report.  The report and statistical data can be found online at http://und.edu/discover/_files/docs/annual-security-report.pdf.  You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND 58202.