Asst professor at University of Utah

The Department of Special Education at the University of Utah is searching for a tenure-track faculty member at the rank of assistant professor in the area of mild/moderate disabilities with emphases on reading/literacy and assessment.

Salaries are competitive with other Research-Intensive Universities; excellent benefits package. The position begins August 15, 2011.

We are seeking applications from individuals with expertise in the areas of (1) reading and literacy development and disabilities; (2) standardized and formative assessment strategies (e.g., curriculum-based measurement [CBM]); (3) direct and explicit instruction in academic content areas, particularly reading; and (4) response to intervention (RTI) models of service delivery in schools. Preference will be given to individuals who have additional expertise in the areas of (1) writing assessment and instruction, (2) strategies for facilitating transition to post-school situations, (3) working with culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families, (4) research methodology and statistical analysis, (5) various types of instructional media and technology, and (6) experience with or interest in teaching distance education courses. The University of Utah and the Department of Special Education value candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.
Description of the Department and College

The Department of Special Education is one of four departments in the College of Education at the University of Utah. The other departments include Education, Culture, and Society; Educational Leadership and Policy; and Educational Psychology. The College also includes the Urban Institute for Teacher Education, which prepares to work in regular elementary and secondary classroom settings. The Department of Special Education offers an undergraduate major with teacher licensure, as well as M. Ed. and M.S. degrees (with or without licensure) and a Ph.D. program. Teacher education programs at the University of Utah are built around a common core of evidence-based knowledge and skills that are offered across-departments and colleges with related disciplines. The Department of Special Education offers teaching licensure and endorsement programs in the following areas: early childhood special education, hearing impairments, mild to moderate disabilities, severe disabilities, and vision impairments. Master’s degree and licensure programs are also offered at selected locations across the state through distance education technologies. The Ph. D. program in special education focuses on preparing graduate students for faculty positions and incorporates extensive opportunities for working with faculty through research, teaching, and service internships. The College of Education at the University of Utah houses cross-departmental research and outreach centers including the Center for Advancement of Education Technology; the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring; the Utah Center for Reading and Literacy, and the Utah Education Policy Center. Additionally, the College of Education has the highest percentage of minority faculty and graduate students of any academic unit within the University of Utah.

Department faculty excel in the areas of research to practice, innovative instruction, and exemplary service and outreach at the national, state, and local levels. The Department of Special Education was recently ranked 13th in the nation for faculty research and scholarly productivity by Academic Analytics, an independent scientific research institute, and has a strong commitment to extramural funding to support faculty research and innovative program development.

Responsibilities

* Conduct research in areas of specialization, with a research-to-practice emphasis.
* Teach undergraduate, master, and doctoral level courses in mild/moderate disabilities, including reading and literacy.
* Engage in service to the profession and university.
* Engage in outreach to local and state agencies and the community.
* Participate in external grant-writing activities.

Qualifications

* An earned doctorate in special education or a closely related field focused on the areas of expertise described above by August 15, 2011.
* At least three years of experience working with children with mild/moderate disabilities in educational settings.
* A record of scholarly achievement or strong evidence of potential as a scholar.
* A record of evidence of potential for effective teaching in higher education.
* Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong collegial and collaborative relationships with diverse faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.
* Ability to use technology in course work and professional practice.

Application Materials

* Letter of application addressing experience, interests, qualifications, and areas of specialization as they relate to the position announcement.
* Curriculum vita.
* Academic transcript if applicant is currently completing doctoral degree or completed it within the last year.
* Three samples of scholarly writing that represents the applicant’s own scholarship.
* Names, titles, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three individuals who can speak to the applicant’s research, teaching, and service productivity and potential.

Closing Date

Review of application materials will begin on October 1, 2010, and continue until the position is filled.

Application materials should be sent to:

Leanne Hawken
Special Education
University of Utah
1705 E. Campus Center Dr., Rm 221
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-9253

Questions regarding the position may be directed to Leanne Hawken via telephone at (801) 581-5968 or e-mail at leanne.hawken [at] utah [dot] edu. The University of Utah is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer, and encourages applications from women and minorities and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees.