Chair - Human Development and Family Studies

Description

General Job Brief

The Department Human Development and Family Studies at Arizona Christian University invites applications for a full-time, Department Chair position beginning July 2025. In addition to the qualifications described below, this role also requires a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to the unique Christian mission and vision of ACU to Transform Culture with Truth, and the ability to advance that mission and vision through faculty leadership and development, administrative duties, classroom instruction, and person-to-person mentorship and discipleship.

Typical Duties (The following duties are those typically required to do the job but are not intended to include all duties that comprise the job content. Typical duties are intended to illustrate the diverse and levels of difficulty of the job.)

The Department Chair provides leadership in academics, administration, and instruction specific to the disciplines of Human Development and Family Studies in all modalities. As an administrator, the Department Chair is the person primarily responsible for communicating the department’s views to the ACU community and the ACU community’s views to the department. Because the chair acts on behalf of the department, the chair must distinguish between personal views and those that reflect the consensus of the department. The Department Chair has several main functions as follows:

• To act as an advocate for the mission and vision of ACU and as the representative of the Human Development and Family Studies Department to ACU administration and outside constituencies.
• To act as a supervisor for the faculty and staff within Human Development and Family Studies Department as they carry out their mission.
• To maintain and acquire relevant accreditations and affiliations when appropriate.
• To act as an administrator of the Human Development and Family Studies Department in accomplishing necessary managerial tasks.
• To serve as a member of the faculty and teach 3 classes per semester (6 classes per year).
• To meaningfully advance the recruitment of students and the growth of ACU’s Human Development and Family Studies program through coordination with ACU recruiting staff, attendance at recruiting events, communication with prospective students, and other methods.
• To formulate and communicate recommendations for hiring, promotion, retention, and evaluation of faculty and departmental support staff.
• To establish departmental budget priorities and allocations.
• To recommend teaching assignments and times to the Dean and regulate faculty workloads.
• To develop and articulate Human Development and Family Studies Department program goals.
• To ensure that faculty are fully engaged in departmental and general faculty duties.
• To develop written syllabi and required course materials. 
• To evaluate the subject matter taught and maintenance of student records.
• To prepare and grade exams.
• To maintain office hours to advise and assist students.
• To participate in departmental and university-wide meetings.
• To provide spiritual support and prayer to students and staff.
• To participate in curriculum and program development and assessment.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of the Shelly Roden School of Education and Professional Studies and/or the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to read, write, see, hear, and speak clearly.
• Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, reach or sit for long periods of time.
• Requires working on a computer, PC or laptop; ability to work these and office related equipment.
• May be required to lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

Ability and Skills (Classification is typically expected to possess or show potential of satisfactory development when placed in the job.)

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables in situations where only a limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Commitment to ACU’s faith statement, mission, and purposes and an active Christian faith
• Comfort and familiarity with the practice of praying with and for others, including students, faculty, and fellow University staff.
• The ability to meaningfully support and encourage students, faculty, and staff from a biblical worldview perspective, using relevant and applicable references from the Old and New Testaments and orthodox Christian writings.

Fair Labor Standards Act: This position is considered to be full-time, exempt for overtime pay provisions as provided by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and any applicable state laws.

Qualifications

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Family Systems or related discipline.  MFT is preferred.
• A minimum of three years of higher education teaching experience in the field is highly desirable.
• Experience with various instructional delivery systems including integration of technology into coursework.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and oral presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Evidence of a Christian commitment with interest in and ability to integrate orthodox biblical principles and learning.