Assistant/Associate Professor and Program Director, Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Program

Job Posting Title

Assistant/Associate Professor and Program Director, Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Program

Overview

Job Description:

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is seeking applications for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor and Program Director of the graduate program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. The program director should have a passion for teaching excellently and being innovative and will have primary responsibility for the program's continued development, administration, budget, curriculum, and assessment. The Program Director will lead the accreditation process with the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counselors and assist in ongoing accreditation efforts with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Salary and academic rank will be commensurate with experience.

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) was founded in 1997 as the first higher education institution in the United States dedicated exclusively to education and research related to the applied life sciences. KGI offers innovative postgraduate degrees and certificates that integrate life and health sciences, business, pharmacy, engineering, and genetics, focusing on industry projects, hands-on industry experiences, and team collaborations. KGI employs an entrepreneurial approach and industry connections that allow students to become leaders in healthcare and the applied life sciences.

Located in beautiful Claremont, California, KGI is a member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and The Claremont Colleges Services, which provides shared institutional support services. Each nationally recognized college has its own campus, students and faculty, and distinctive mission, and each offers top-notch curricula, small classes, distinguished professors, and personalized instruction. The Claremont Colleges consistently place at the top of national college rankings, including Forbes, Money and U.S. News and World Report, and the Princeton Review.

Education And Experience

Candidates must meet all qualification requirements mandated by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). These requirements state that the Program Director must hold a master's degree in the discipline of genetic counseling, have current certification in genetic counseling by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG), and possess at least five years of experience as a certified genetic counselor, with a minimum of three years in a patient-facing role, either in a clinical or research setting. Additionally, the candidate must have served as the course instructor or instructor of record for at least six credit hours of post-secondary education.

For candidates assuming the role of Program Director for the first time, additional qualifications are required. These include completing at least 10 hours of training or coursework in curriculum design, assessment, evaluation, educational andragogy, or principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the last 10 years. The candidate must also have provided fieldwork supervision for at least five genetic counseling graduate students, totaling a minimum of 500 contact hours, in the last 10 years. Furthermore, they must have documented training, workshops, or other experiences related to leadership, professional development, management, scholarly activities, mentoring, academic advising, andragogy, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without, reasonable accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Represent the Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Program internally and externally
• Maintain and build relationships with affiliate partners;
• Provide leadership to ensure compliance with all ACGC standards;
• Review and maintain the program's strategic plan;
• Providing academic advising, as well as monitoring, evaluating, and remediating student performance;
• Recommend and oversee the program budget as the Program's Chief Administrative Officer;
• Long-term planning to ensure the program's fiscal stability;
• Serve as the primary contact for communication with ACGC;
• Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate the program;
• Ensure the effectiveness of the program's curriculum and learning environment;
• Teach genetic counseling courses in area/s of specialty;
• Develop, maintain, and implement student recruitment and admission strategies;
• Responsible for faculty recruitment, retention, and development;
• Conduct regular faculty evaluations and feedback activities;
• Maintain and collaborate with the program advisory board, implementing appropriate recommendations;
• Provide service to the program and Institute;
• Support the values of the Institute: diversity, teaching excellence, student success, and innovation.
• Recruit, supervise, and facilitate faculty and staff professional development in the human genetics and genetic counseling program.
• Work with the Office of Admissions to recruit qualified applicants for human genetics and genetic counseling program admission.
• Maintain and build relationships with internal/external partners and health care/biotechnology institutions to set up and oversee clinical rotation experiences for the students.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without, reasonable accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to establish and develop productive and collegial relationships, collaboration, and the ability to communicate with various constituencies.
• The ability to work with confidential and sensitive information and records and commit to the highest ethical standards is necessary.
• Ability to effectively multitask and produce accurate professional work products under demanding timelines.
• Teaching, leadership and management experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of ACGC accreditation processes and standards.
• Knowledge about program organization, administration, fiscal management, continuous review and analysis, planning, and development.
• Cultural engagement to work with diverse students, faculty, and staff
• Ability to work highly independently, organize work with attention to detail and accuracy; demonstrated skill in assessing timelines and coordinating numerous assignments and projects simultaneously under heavy and fluctuating workloads and conflicting deadlines.
• Available for occasional work on evenings and weekends, as event schedules may require.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record (as maintained by the DMV) that is acceptable to the Institute’s insurance carrier.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds/participate in light set-up for recruitment and on-campus events.
  
  

Hours, Classification, And Status

This is a full-time faculty, benefits-eligible, exempt position.

Normal working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Depending on the Institute's needs, availability and willingness to travel, as well as frequent working evenings and partial weekends, are required.

Salary range: 135,000 - $155,000 annualized. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on various factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

Physical And Mental Requirements

Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to detail with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information; formulating work plans; and articulating goals and action plans. Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time. Standing for extended periods of time and reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity is required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal parameters. Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file. Ability to move about. Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example, to lift or move office supplies, files, books, and packages.

Ability to drive locally. Occasionally, will be required to stand for prolonged periods of time at activities/events on and off-campus.

To Apply

A confidential review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To ensure full consideration, please upload the following with your application:

• A cover letter detailing your professional experience and qualifications
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae outlining academic and professional achievements
• Contact information for three professional references, including name, title, relationship to the applicant, email address, and direct phone number
• A statement of teaching philosophy
• A statement of research philosophy
• A statement addressing contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Preliminary budgetary requirements for research start-up, if applicable
  
  

Applications from individuals from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Keck Graduate Institute is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all terms and conditions of employment. KGI strongly encourages candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.