[Air-l] position description

[Laura Gurak]

HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF RHETORIC
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

The Department of Rhetoric of the University of Minnesota invites
applications for the position of Head of its Department of 18 full-time
faculty, 103 undergraduate, and 69 graduate students. The Department, which
is housed in the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences,
offers a B.S. and a M.S. in scientific and technical communication and a
M.A. and Ph.D. in rhetoric and scientific and technical communication, as
well as liberal education courses to students throughout the University.
For over 25 years, the Department of Rhetoric has been a leading program in
scientific and technical communication and is currently the home to the
journal Technical Communication Quarterly.  Faculty research interests
include technical and professional communication, the rhetoric of
communication technologies, rhetoric of science, Internet Studies, distance
education, science and technology studies, rhetorical theory and criticism,
gender and reproductive technologies, international and intercultural
communication, and environmental rhetoric.

We are looking for a Department Head with the vision, energy, and enthusiasm
to lead our faculty and programs into the twenty-first century.  We seek
applicants whose focus is scientific and technical communication, but who
also understand and support the interdisciplinary nature of our Department
and the importance of the multidisciplinary perspectives of our program.

Appointment
Twelve-month, academic and administrative appointment as head and tenured
faculty position as Professor; initial three-year appointment as Head with
possible reappointment. Salary commensurate with experience and achievement.
This position carries an administrative salary augmentation.  Appointment is
available on or before January 1, 2002.

Responsibilities

 Provide leadership to the department¹s undergraduate and graduate
programs; 

 foster the development of excellent teaching; maintain active program of
research; 

 represent the department within the College, University, local and
national organizations, local and national industry partners, other
collaborations, and the wider community;

 foster the research, teaching, and outreach interests of its faculty;

 develop strong interdisciplinary teaching and research programs that build
on our current strengths;

 develop applied theories and uses for communication and technology across
departments and colleges;

 manage department¹s budget, HR, and daily operations

Required Qualifications

 Doctorate in Technical Communication, Professional Communication,
Rhetoric, English, Speech-Communication, Curriculum and Instruction,
Composition, or related field;

 minimum of eight years professional experience with some percentage of
this experience in administrative or managerial roles;

 evidence of successful teaching, scholarly productivity,

 an understanding of the diverse interests of a multidisciplinary faculty
and programs

Desired Qualifications

 Demonstrated success as an administrator and leader;

 knowledge and skill in theories and uses of electronic communication
technology and information technology;

 professional emphasis and experience with scientific and/or technical
communication; 

 evidence of effectiveness in fostering interdepartmental and/or
industry-university collaborations and partnerships

 
Application Process
Please submit curriculum vitae, 1 to 2-page statement of interests related
to this position, and three letters of recommendation. Application review
will begin November 9, 2001 and applications will be accepted until position
is filled.  Send application materials to:

Dr. Vernon Eidman, Search Chair
c/o College of Agricultural, Food, & Environmental Sciences
University of Minnesota
277 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

Additional information about the department can be found at:
[http://www.rhetoric.umn.edu/]

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons
shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without
regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age,
marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or
sexual orientation.