Assistant/Associate Professor of Music and Worship Arts

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to working effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Bluefield University is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.

The University is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Assistant/Associate Professor of Music and Worship Arts with instructional responsibilities for general music in theory, history, and choral conducting.

Primary Purpose/Scope

The Assistant/Associate Professor of Music and Worship Arts will lead the Church Music/Worship Arts concentration and the Worship Leadership Minor. The position also serves the general music major as a faculty member teaching across the music curriculum including leading vocal ensembles such as Variations, Bluefield Singers, and Masterworks Chorale.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities, And Functions

Teach an instructional load of 24 to 27 credit hours per calendar year in qualified on-campus and online courses– following all criteria listed within the University Academic Catalogs, the Faculty Agreement, and the Faculty Handbook:

• Serve on Faculty committees as assigned, attend organizational meetings, partake in Commencement activities, and be present at chapel services.
• Serve as a valued strategic music educator within the Music Department.
• Serve community, regional, and national organizations that mutually benefit the Music Department, the university, and the community
• Seek to increase enrollment, brand awareness, and digital marketing presence for the Music Department
• Coordinate academic offerings for the Church Music/Worship Arts concentration and the Worship Leadership minor, collaborating with the Music Department Chair.
• Communicate regularly with students, area representatives, and university administrators in a problem-solving and decision-making capacity
• Participate in efforts to recruit prospective students and to retain students in the Music Department
• Assist the Music Department Chair with up-to-date information in the University Academic Catalog, university website, and other areas.
• Work with the Campus Pastor and/or Director of Student Ministries on the academic and technical side of worship ensembles.
  
  

TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING

• Work with the Dean of Arts and Letters and the Music Department Chair to update and maintain music curricula within Canvas, the learning management system and at off-site locations (as needed)
• Maintain documents and learning-tools databases used to support music services
• Evaluate music education learning methods and course content to ensure it meets 21st century remote and virtual learning pedagogy
• Develop and implement strategies to promote, enhance, and enrich teaching through present and emerging technologies
• Assist the Department Chair in developing the course schedule for each semester and term; implement improvements to the process and procedures
• Participate in instructional technology for orienting, training, and developing Music Department faculty, especially with the integration of the iPad into the classroom experience,
  
  

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT, ACCREDITATION AND DEVELOPMENT

• Participate with the Chair in holistic Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment planning for the Music Department
• Collaborate in efforts of accreditation compliance for the Music Department, including seeking and maintaining state, regional, and national accreditation
• Encourage unity of vision and purpose by integrating activities for on-campus with co-curricular programs
• Collaborate with the development of strategic plans for marketing, recruitment, and branding by the Enrollment Management Team for the Music Department
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Education/Experience

• Possess a faith and commitment to Jesus Christ
• Be a highly motivated self-starter
• Possess experience leading and developing worship teams.
• Demonstrate a professional demeanor and presentation in dealing with the University constituency
• Be experienced in Learning Management Systems and electronic media and knowledge of how to best educate pertinent individuals regarding the use of such
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced learning technologies
• Possess ability to speak to audiences in a coherent and professional manner
• Possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, and writing skills
• Demonstrate effective time management for multi-tasking daily functions
• Demonstrate empathy for student life issues and an understanding of the specific needs and learning styles for all students
• Possess strong problem-solving skills coupled with appropriate instinct and timely initiative
• Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with at least 18 graduate credits in an academic discipline appropriate for teaching music and worship arts.
• Have proven ability to inspire and motivate others
  
  

Ergonomic Requirements

• Physical Demands
  
  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is not necessarily a physically demanding job and requires no specific physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment. Normal responsibilities should not afford risks of accidental injury.

• Specialized Equipment Requirements
  
  

The use of specialized equipment listed here is representative of equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires no specialized equipment other than equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.

• Working Conditions and Environment
  
  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions. This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private university, with physical remote site locations within 50 miles of Bluefield University, VA.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above as well as Communication, Job/Technical Knowledge, Teamwork/Cooperation, Initiative/Interest/Motivation, Adaptability/Flexibility, Stewardship and Safety.

APPROVALS

The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of same. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. Bluefield University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on Bluefield University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. Bluefield maintains its status as an at-will employer.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please visit http://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic employment application and upload the following:

• Letter of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Statement describing your Christian journey and how you integrate your Christian faith with your teaching
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts will be required if offered position)
• Three letters of reference
  
  

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Additional information about Bluefield University is available at www.bluefield.edu. To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.