Chair, Department of Civil Engineering

Boise State University•Boise, ID

1d•$105,000 - $112,000•Onsite

About The Position

Boise State University invites applications for a Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering to lead the development and implementation of a clear, forward-looking strategic vision and drive excellence in a college defined by innovation and growth potential, located in a thriving metropolitan region. This is an opportunity for a collaborative and accountable academic leader to guide a department during a period of growth in research activity, programs, and student demand. The Chair will play a central role in shaping the department’s future, building a strong and cohesive academic community while expanding its impact in research, education, and external partnerships. This role requires a leader who can advance strategic priorities while strengthening alignment, culture, and trust to support a high-performing and cohesive academic community. The department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Civil Engineering program with emphasis areas including environmental, structural, geotechnical, transportation, and water resources engineering, along with a growing M.S. program. Department faculty advise students in the interdisciplinary and collaborative Ph.D. in Engineering and Ph.D. in Computing programs. The Chair provides administrative and academic leadership for the department and reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering. In collaboration with the faculty, the Chair will develop and implement the department’s strategic vision, hire and mentor faculty in their professional growth, and steward resources and partnerships to support program excellence, accountability, and a culture of trust and innovation to ensure long-term impact. The Chair is expected to: Make timely, well-reasoned decisions and communicate them transparently Address conflict directly and constructively to strengthen alignment and support a cohesive, high-functioning department. Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and follow-through that enables collective success. The Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering is expected to provide transformative leadership across the following key areas: Strategic Vision and Growth: Lead the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan that defines the department’s identity, drives innovation in civil engineering education, and anticipates emerging industry trends, while ensuring alignment and accountability across the department. Faculty Mentorship and Excellence: Foster a high-achieving, collegial, and accountable academic culture by leading the recruitment of world-class faculty and actively supporting their professional growth through the promotion and tenure process, including providing clear expectations, actionable feedback, and consistent follow-through in faculty development and evaluation. Research Innovation: Drive the expansion of the department’s research footprint by identifying interdisciplinary opportunities, supporting large-scale grant pursuits, and enhancing the visibility of departmental scholarship, while aligning research growth with departmental priorities and strengths. Teaching Excellence: Provide leadership that promotes excellence in teaching and fosters a culture of high-quality, student-centered learning across the department. Curriculum Evolution and Accreditation: Lead the continuous modernization of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the integration of emerging areas, while ensuring continuous ABET accreditation. Resource Stewardship: Develop and manage the department’s budget with transparency, clear prioritization, and alignment to strategic goals. External Advocacy and Partnerships: Serve as a compelling ambassador for the department, cultivating robust relationships with alumni, industry leaders, and government agencies to enhance philanthropic support and professional opportunities for students. Shared Governance: Lead within a shared governance model by fostering transparency and collaboration while maintaining clear decision-making authority and accountability. Departmental Culture and Cohesion: Cultivate a collegial and collaborative department culture by proactively addressing challenges and conflict, supporting open communication, and reinforcing shared expectations, accountability, and a strong sense of collective purpose. The Chair is appointed to a three-year term, subject to annual faculty contract renewal in accordance with university policy. The Chair appointment is renewable, contingent upon performance, departmental needs, and approval by the Dean and Provost. The College seeks a candidate who is prepared to provide sustained, stable leadership and is interested in serving multiple terms to ensure long-range goals are fully realized.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related field
Eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, and must meet the institution’s standards for tenure at the time of hire.
Clearly demonstrated record of academic leadership experience relevant to the position of department chair
Demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship and teaching
Demonstrated ability to make complex decisions and manage conflict in academic or organizational settings

Nice To Haves

Experience leading departments or programs through growth or strategic repositioning
Experience with faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure, and shared academic governance
Familiarity with ABET accreditation
Demonstrated ability to build trust, including evidence of transparent communication and consistent follow-through, and to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and lead with fairness and integrity
Experience with multi-year strategic planning and implementation
Record of building research capacity and supporting faculty development
Experience strengthening industry and community partnerships
Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure, or ability to obtain licensure
Proven track record of securing peer-reviewed external funding, philanthropic gifts, industrial sponsorships, and/or large-scale center grants.
Experience fostering interdisciplinary research and education in cross-cutting areas
Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, growth, and/or realignment
Experience balancing collaboration with accountability

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and academic leadership for the department.
Develop and implement the department’s strategic vision in collaboration with faculty.
Hire and mentor faculty in their professional growth.
Steward resources and partnerships to support program excellence, accountability, and a culture of trust and innovation.
Make timely, well-reasoned decisions and communicate them transparently.
Address conflict directly and constructively.
Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and follow-through.
Lead the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan.
Lead the recruitment of world-class faculty and support their professional growth.
Drive the expansion of the department’s research footprint.
Provide leadership that promotes excellence in teaching.
Lead the continuous modernization of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Develop and manage the department’s budget with transparency, clear prioritization, and alignment to strategic goals.
Serve as a compelling ambassador for the department, cultivating relationships with alumni, industry leaders, and government agencies.
Lead within a shared governance model by fostering transparency and collaboration.
Cultivate a collegial and collaborative department culture.

Benefits

10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund
Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
Dual Career Assistance Support for spouses and partners.
Additional summer month of salary as well as a modest academic year stipend for the Chair appointment.
Relocation assistance and other compensation considerations may be available.

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