Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Chair

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for Chair of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) in the College of Engineering. CEE enrolls undergraduate students across Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Geological Engineering degree programs, as well as an Architecture Certificate, and offers graduate programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry and Technology, and Geological Engineering. The department includes 30 core faculty members, administrative, instructional, and research staff, a Professors of Practice group, and affiliated faculty. Its research spans construction engineering materials and management, environmental engineering and science, environmental chemistry and technology, geological engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering and science. The department has an annual budget of $6 million and supports more than $18 million in research expenditures. The Chair will lead the department during a period of major College of Engineering investment, including the Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center, a $420 million, 395,000-square-foot facility featuring shared laboratories for collaboration across engineering disciplines. The successful candidate will bring a vision for the department, a strong record of research and teaching, and a commitment to UW–Madison’s public mission, shared governance, student engagement and success, inclusive community, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary partnerships. The Chair will also cultivate relationships with alumni, industry, and academic partners and advance fundraising. The initial appointment is for five years, subject to annual review, and may be renewed. The role includes department leadership and strategic planning; oversight of departmental administration, finances, and space; faculty and staff recruitment, development, and mentoring; teaching and course development; graduate student mentoring and research supervision; directing an extramurally funded research program; participation in faculty governance and service; and service on the Dean's Leadership Council. Compensation is negotiable for a nine-month appointment that is ongoing and renewable.

Requirements

Express a clear vision for the future of the department.
Established record of professional activities and leadership in professional organizations.
Demonstrated accomplishments in research and teaching appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at UW-Madison.
PhD in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated intellectual leadership and administrative skills in an academic or university environment, or equivalent.
Active engagement with the student body and broader campus community.
Deep understanding of shared governance and university culture.
Knowledge of the current landscape and emerging trends in civil engineering, environmental engineering, and geological engineering.

Responsibilities

Shape and promote a vision, mission, and strategic plan for the department.
Promote and support high-impact research initiatives and the educational mission of the department, college, and university.
Manage the department's administrative, financial, and space components.
Grow development by engaging alumni and external partners.
Enhance the department's national and international recognition and reputation.
Support and promote the teaching, research, and service activities of faculty and staff.
Identify current and future faculty needs and lead recruitment efforts in conjunction with departmental faculty.
Mentor and support junior and senior faculty and staff in their professional growth.
Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in civil and environmental engineering degree programs.
Mentor graduate students and supervise their research.
Develop and direct a successful, extramurally funded research program.
Participate in departmental and university faculty governance and contribute to professional and public service.
Serve on the Dean's Leadership Council with other department Chairs and Associate Deans.