Chair, School of Occupational Therapy

The Chair of the School of Occupational Therapy (SOT) is responsible for the administrative guidance of faculty and staff in this entry-level occupational therapy program. This is a ranked faculty position with administrative responsibilities and release time. In addition to administrative duties, responsibilities also include teaching in areas of expertise, scholarship, academic and research advising, and service to the institution and community. The Chair is ultimately responsible for the management and administration of the OT program. This includes planning, budget development and monitoring, reviewing and revising the curriculum, reviewing and revising policies and resources to support student success, and writing annual departmental progress reports. Furthermore, the Chair is responsible for hiring and supervising the faculty and staff, providing evaluation and promoting strategies for professional development. The Chair oversees aspects of student enrollment, progression and retention efforts as well as promoting activities that support student success. Finally, responsibility for maintaining accreditation status from the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), with support from the curriculum and assessment department, rests with the Chair. This includes monitoring and managing information and data necessary to assess the program, students, and faculty and staff to assure compliance with ACOTE standards.Includes the following essential functions:

1. Assume primary responsibility for teaching up to 9 credits/year as negotiated by the Dean and Provost.
2. Participate in scholarly activities as defined by the Faculty Handbook and ACOTE.
3. Maintain currency within his/her professional area of expertise.
4. Maintain an advising load commensurate with administrative responsibilities; advise and facilitate student registration for appropriate courses in the proper sequence.
5. Participate in recruitment and enrollment activities including advising potential applicants and completing transfer curricula analysis for incoming students.
6. Lead departmental faculty/staff meetings, retreats, committees and activities including, but not limited to, open house and/or student recruitment projects.
7. Serve on Faculty Forum or Institutional committees and actively engage in University governance.
8. Work with the Dean and Provost to monitor, report, and assure compliance with ACOTE Accreditation Standards.
9. Coordinate regular program assessment and evaluation, development of an annual strategic planning, process, and preparation of an annual report.
10. Supervise ongoing curriculum development and improvement.
11. Develop and monitor budgets and program expenses.
12. Coordinate advertising, interviewing and hiring of Faculty and staff.
13. Supervise and evaluate faculty including assigning teaching responsibilities and advising loads.
14. Review, evaluate, and assist faculty with professional development plans.
15. Develop course schedules each semester; coordinate with other departments regarding course needs and scheduling issues.
16. Supervise and evaluate administrative and hourly staff including approval of leave time
17. Promote and participate in interprofessional opportunities to benefit SOT faculty and students.
18. Monitor student progression, develop and propose retention strategies, and advise students who are in academic jeopardy.
19. Provide information and recommendations for professional development, including the completion of forms and letters of recommendation for scholarships and employment.
20. Participate in other duties as assigned.

Education: Earned doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy or related field. Experience: The program director must have a minimum of 8 years of experience in the field of occupational therapy and this experience must include:

• Clinical practice as an occupational therapist;
• Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting;
• Scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning).
• At least 3 years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the postsecondary level.

Licensure: In accordance with the requirements for Professional Licensing for Occupational Therapy in the State of Maine.
Special Skills: The person in this position will be required to have the following skills:

• Ability to use standard office technology and equipment.
• Communication skills to work with individuals across various disciplines and departments which will allow the individual to respond to the needs of students, faculty and administration within and outside of the classroom.
• Organizational skills to enhance responsiveness to regional and specialized accreditation demands and deadlines.
• Leadership skills to create a positive environment in order to respond productively and efficiently to accreditation standards and ongoing changes in the education.
• Self-motivation and an ability to create a strong team response are also important attributes to help the University respond appropriately to expectations of accreditation and the ever changing educational environment.

Ethics Obligation: The program Director must understand and agree to abide by the current AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics.

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