Department Chair- Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering

The University of Texas at El Paso•El Paso, TX

About The Position

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Engineering seeks a Chair for its Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering (CECE). The department has 25 full-time faculty and 945 students in accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in civil engineering, construction engineering and management, construction management, and environmental engineering, as well as a PhD program in civil engineering. It supports international study programs and participates in research centers focused on transportation, environmental resource management, roadway electrification, smart mobility, and transportation emissions, energy, and health. The Chair serves as the department’s academic leader and chief administrator, providing strategic vision and leadership to advance excellence in teaching, research, service, student success, and community engagement. The successful candidate will build on the department’s strengths and foster a collaborative and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students. Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, vision statement, research statement of up to two pages, teaching statement of up to two pages, and contact information for at least four references. Application review begins November 15, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. The anticipated appointment date is Fall 2027.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Scholarly achievement and professional recognition sufficient for appointment as a tenured Professor at UTEP.
Demonstrated excellence in research, teaching, and service.
Evidence of successful leadership, management, and administrative experience.
Demonstrated ability to promote faculty development, student success, and research growth.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Experience leading complex academic programs or research organizations.
Record of securing and managing externally funded research programs.
Experience with ABET accreditation and assessment processes.
Experience building partnerships with AEC industry, government agencies, and community organizations.
Commitment to broadening participation in engineering education and research.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of the department’s strategic vision and priorities.
Support and promote excellence in research, scholarship, innovation, and sponsored programs.
Foster high-quality undergraduate and graduate education and student success initiatives.
Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and support faculty and staff.
Manage departmental resources, including budgets, personnel, facilities, and equipment.
Oversee faculty workload assignments, annual evaluations, promotion and tenure processes, and professional development activities.
Support accreditation activities and assessment efforts.
Represent departmental interests within the College of Engineering, the University, and external constituencies.
Build partnerships with industry, government organizations, professional societies, alumni, and community stakeholders.
Advance a culture of collaboration, shared governance, integrity, and inclusiveness.