Montana State University
Native American Studies Department Head Job at Montana State University in Virgi
Montana State University, Virginia, MN, United States, 55792
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The Department of Native American Studies at Montana State University invites applications for the position of Department Head. The successful candidate will be a leader who will help the Native American Studies Department continue to provide outstanding scholarship, teaching, and service. The ideal candidate will have a community-centered attitude and collaborative nature, allowing them to engage creatively with students, staff, faculty, and community members in the development of cultural, academic, and student success programming in support of the Department’s ongoing efforts aligned with our vision, mission, values, and NAS Cultural Standards (Knowledge, Relationship, Land, and Sovereignty) as guided by our Internal Oversight Committee, Cultural Oversight Board, and the President’s Council of Elders.
Faculty Tenure Track: Yes
Faculty Rank: Associate or Full Professor
Position Number: 4A6745
Department: Native American Studies
Division: College of Letters & Science
Appointment Type: Faculty
Contract Term: Fiscal Year
Union Affiliation: Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE: 1.0
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Recruitment Type: Open
Montana State University invites applications for the position of Department Head of the Department of Native American Studies. The department seeks candidates who have experience in managing budgets, obtaining external funding, and developing and implementing strategic plans.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provide a dynamic vision and leadership for the Department in concert with MSU, College of Letters and Science strategies and priorities, and NAS Cultural Standards: Knowledge, Relationship, Land, and Sovereignty.
Lead, coordinate, expand, and administer the Department’s teaching, scholarship, and outreach programs.
Lead, coordinate and collaborate with American Indian and Alaska Native Student Support Services (AIANSSS).
Engage, build, and sustain relationships with Tribal communities.
Foster a Department culture that supports faculty, staff, and student well-being.
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate personnel; assign faculty & staff workloads; guide curriculum development; coordinate promotion & tenure processes; foster prudent growth in faculty scholarship; and work with the Dean and other Department Heads to forward the mission of the College and University.
Teach and/or maintain active scholarship in the field of Native American Studies or related disciplines.
Manage budget development and fiscal oversight through both philanthropic organizations and federal grant procural.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
A terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Demonstrated administrative and leadership abilities with a record of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, mentorship, outreach, and engagement.
Evidence of Indigenous-led engagement and/or Indigenous community-based scholarship with a demonstrated ability and record of success to generate resources through philanthropic fundraising and grant procural.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching.
Demonstrated record of excellence in research and/or scholarship.
Demonstrated record of excellence in outreach and engagement.
Demonstrated record of excellence in recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation success with a priority and focus on American Indian Alaska Native and other Indigenous students from diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary issues affecting Native communities, and protocol for engaging ethically with Native communities.
Evidence of community-based or co-produced research and scholarship with commitment, and service to one or more Native communities.
Evidence of ability to instruct and engage in research from an Indigenous perspective.
Indigenous language speaker and traditional knowledge holder.
The Successful Candidate Will
Demonstrate integrity of the highest order, an intellectual curiosity and self-confidence balanced with humility, authenticity of character, and a strong work ethic.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at the university, state, tribal, and national levels; possess demonstrated ability/success in fundraising; have a broad understanding of the philosophy and challenges of a land-grant university; and have an appreciation for rural, tribal culture & values.
Lead an interdisciplinary, scholarship-active Department of faculty committed to excellence in education at all levels and who are engaged in service to the profession and society.
Have strong skills working with people individually and in groups, demonstrated leadership qualities, excellent verbal and written communication skills, the capability to contribute to the department’s scholarship and teaching programs, and the ability to represent the department to University faculty and administrators, local, state, and federal government officials, off-campus organizations, and the public.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department of Native American Studies currently confers a non-teaching minor in Native American Studies (NAS), a Master of Arts degree, and a graduate certificate. There are opportunities to engage with approximately 800 Native students representing over 50 tribes on campus. The Indigenous diversity in Montana comprises twelve tribal Nations within seven reservations plus the Little Shell. The NAS Department has historically drawn students from each of these as well as Native Nations across the United States and internationally.
The Department offers a non-teaching undergraduate minor in Native American Studies (NAS), a graduate certificate in NAS, and a Master of Arts in NAS. A new graduate certificate in Indigenous Food Systems has been approved and a new suite of courses to support this certificate are under development. Courses in Native American Studies are an integral part of the Diversity Category in the University Core requirements. Faculty teaching loads may include undergraduate and graduate courses.
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date:
Applications will be screened beginning on November 1, 2024 , but applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
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