Associate Professor, Optometry, Tenure-Track

Description

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and  Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

FACULTY MEMBER OF PACIFIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Faculty Members for Pacific University College of Optometry (PUCO) serve in the rank of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor as determined in the letter of appointment.   Chapter four of the Pacific University Faculty and Governance Handbook notes that: Pacific University uses three main faculty evaluation criteria: teaching, scholarly or creative contributions, and service. Faculty members must make the case that they fulfill the evaluative criteria in all three in order to be awarded tenure or promotion. Performance must at least meet minimum university and college standards in each category, and at least one category should be judged as very strong or excellent; however, effective teaching is required, and all faculty members should aspire to become excellent teachers Generally, a faculty member of PUCO is responsible for:

TEACHING FUNCTIONS:

• Teaching is the principal activity of the Pacific University faculty and includes appropriate work and involvement with students beyond, as well as within, the classroom, lab, and/or clinic.
• Faculty members will be assigned to certain courses and/or labs within the program.  This assignment will be coordinated with the Associate Dean of Academic Programs.  Clinical assignments will be coordinated with the Clinical Programs.
• Faculty members will ensure quality of didactic and clinical education.
• Faculty members must stay current in their fields and incorporate new information and pedagogies, as appropriate.  
• Faculty members should engage in developing a curriculum that not only includes knowledge at the forefront of discovery but also integrates that knowledge across disciplines and applies that knowledge to worthy issues and questions.
• Faculty members must be able to deliver activities directly related to teaching, such as advising, course development and revision, syllabus preparation, tutorial assistance, mentoring, evidence of keeping current in the subjects taught, and adopting effective teaching strategies.
• Faculty members must present evidence that students have met course objectives and have learned the material.
• Faculty members must undergo a review process that evaluates their teaching effectiveness  

SCHOLARSHIP FUNCTIONS:

• All faculty members with continuing appointments are expected to produce scholarly or creative work.
• Faculty members must provide concrete evidence regarding the ways in which research, scholarship, and creative engagement have contributed to their teaching and professional growth.
• Pacific University expects faculty members to produce quality work that has been presented to external peer audiences in at least one of the Boyer categories (Discovery of knowledge; Integration of knowledge; Application of knowledge; or, Transformation of knowledge through teaching).  

SERVICE FUNCTIONS:

• All faculty members must engage in quality service; at any given time, that service could occur inside and / or outside the university.
• Faculty members should use their expertise as professionals and as educators in service to their professions, to the university, to the college, and to the larger community.
• Faculty members are expected to participate in standing committees of the College of Optometry as well as those within the University.  

CLINIC FUNCTIONS:

• Eligible faculty members will be assigned to clinical service(s).
• The faculty member will supervises the patient care process, with attention to quality of care, patient satisfaction, and student education.
• Maintains compliance through training, evaluation, and reporting of clinical processes.
• Evaluates the patients, in accordance with state laws and accreditation standards, in order to manage the patient, complete and sign patient records, prescriptions, and referrals.
• Responds to patient concerns within your clinical service

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Abides by all University and College policies and procedures, including the mission of the University and College.
• Abide by Oregon and Federal statutes and laws.
• Faculty members, as professional officers of the university, are expected to meet all duties without exception.  
• If assigned duties cannot be kept, faculty members must notify their immediate supervisors and those included in the activity. In cases of absences from duties, except when authorized by the dean or director, or of failure to perform the work assigned, faculty members may have amounts deducted from their salaries, proportionate to the time lost 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Possession of active and highest level of certification to use diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, as permissible under Oregon Law (ATI).
• Experience in broad-scope optometric care or vision science is essential 

Qualifications

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Clinic office environment.
• Lecture halls and lab spaces.
• Office space, personal telephone, desk and computer.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reports to the Dean of the College of Optometry.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of the Doctor of Optometry degree from an ACOE accredited institution, unless faculty position is in a unique area that does not require an OD (ex. biostatistics).  
• Be eligible for licensure with diagnostic, therapeutic topical and non-topical pharmaceutical agents as permissible under Oregon law.
• Be eligible for credentialing and privileging in compliance with Pacific University College of Optometry standards.
• Experience in broad-scope optometric care and/or vision science.
• A commitment to excellence in optometric education and life-long learning are essential.

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone.  The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.