Job Title

Professor and Department Head - Criminal Justice

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

School of Criminology, Criminal Justice & Public Administration

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Fort Worth, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

The School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration invites candidates to apply for a tenured Professor & Department Head position that will lead the Criminal Justice Department in the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration with Undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. degree programs across multiple Tarleton State University campuses.

This is a 12-month tenure upon arrival* position primarily located on Tarleton’s Fort Worth, TX campus, with the expectation of regular visits to the Stephenville, RELLIS, and Waco campuses. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching requirements indicate. The proposed hire date is set for Fall 2025.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching, maintain an impactful research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, actively engage in mentoring and guiding doctoral students through their academic and research endeavors, fostering a supportive and enriching environment within our PhD program, and participate in the necessary operation of the institution.

*Tenure upon arrival will be granted pending approval from The Texas A&M University System.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

60% Administrative:

Responsible for providing leadership and support within the Department of Criminal Justice while also collaborating with other administrators across the universityAdvises leadership on administrative and financial matters concerning the departmentDevelop and implement department operating policiesDirects departmental business, administrative, development and clerical activities and staffEnsures that departmental activities and operations comply with local, state, and federal guidelinesImplements long-term and short-term strategic plans, budgets, broad-based departmental goals, and growth objectivesLead efforts to recruit, retain, and support faculty in advancing their teaching and research agendasAppropriately assign faculty teaching assignments and monitor faculty workloadPromote faculty and staff professional development opportunitiesEvaluate faculty/staff in the department to ensure performance meets and/or exceeds the College of Liberal and Fine Arts and departmental criteria for annual performance reviews, midpoint reviews, tenure & promotion, and post-tenure reviewsImplement mentoring and faculty development support systems to promote success related to annual performance reviews, course/syllabi reviews, and tenure & promotionOrganize and lead regular faculty meetings to encourage shared governance and to ensure timely communication and compliance with school/college/university information and prioritiesFoster and support faculty members to achieve and maintain qualities most valued by the academic community: teaching excellence, professional and scholarly development, and commitment to university and community serviceParticipate in student recruitment and retention initiatives to ensure strategic growth of the department aligns with the school and college missionDevelop the schedule of courses for each academic term with the goals of successful student progressionEnsure curriculum changes are initiated and processed through appropriate channels according to university policy and proceduresFacilitate periodic program reviews by assessing and evaluating curriculum and resource needs for assigned program(s)Work closely with the Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts to ensure good fiscal stewardship, sound budget development, and managementStrong team mentality and willingness to collaborate with other department heads to support a comprehensive vision within the existing academic degreesPerform other duties as required for the success of the department, school, college, and university

20% Teaching and Service:

Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.6 SCH hours over 12-month appointmentDevelop course syllabi, select instructional materials, and design assessments such as exams, quizzes, papers, etc.Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.Engage students in active learning, foster critical thinking skills, and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning.Provide academic support and guidance to students through office hours, feedback on assignments, and mentoring.Adhere to university policies, academic integrity standards, and accreditation requirements related to teaching responsibilities.Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay current in the field, improve teaching skills, and explore new instructional strategies.Collaborate with colleagues, departmental faculty, and university staff to coordinate course offerings, share resources, and contribute to program development and improvement.Participate in institutional service roles including but not limited to, college committees, advisory committees, student/faculty recruitment, and mentoring of new and part-time faculty.

20% Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:

Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant’s academic discipline.Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant’s discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

Minimum Requirements:

Earned doctorate/terminal degree in the teaching discipline from an accredited university.Must have a distinguished record that warrants a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Full Professor.Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for graduate-level instruction; written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities; ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty in a professional, collegial, and collaborative manner.

***Commensurate with experience

The target base annual salary is $116,000 commensurate with experience and may be negotiable based on funding availability and candidate experience/skillset in relation to the minimum requirements of this position. Tarleton State University offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. As part of the Tarleton family, the following benefits are also available to full time and qualifying part time employees:

Educational Benefits - employee perks that help enrich, grow, and foster career and professional development:

Family Education Benefit (Tuition Scholarship) – scholarship opportunities for Tarleton employees, their spouses, or their dependents available after 6 months of continued full-time employment. Click the link to learn more about this incredible Texan benefit!Doctoral Educational Assistance – Full-time budgeted employees at all A&M System Universities, Agencies, and System Offices are qualified for reimbursement of tuition and mandatory fees. Eligibility: This program is applicable to the pursuit of a first doctorate degree only to full-time, budgeted employees who have been in a position no less than 2 long semesters. Click the link for additional details!

Employee Health, Wellness, and Financial Planning

Fully covered employee health insuranceReimbursement of Insurance Premium Deductions! The State of Texas contributes to eligible employees’ insurance coverages as of the 1st day of the month following 60 days of employment in an eligible position. For those who elect coverage PRIOR to the first of the month after 60 days of employment, Tarleton State University will reimburse employees the State contribution towards health coverage during those first 60 days.Dental insuranceVision insuranceRetirement and Insurance programs

Paid Leave

Tarleton employees enjoy one of the greatest PTO packages in the area!

Paid sick leaveHoliday payVacationLongevity payPaid Birthday Leave – Tarleton State University awards all leave-eligible employees paid time off for their birthday!

Other

Complimentary tickets to all Athletic and Performing Fine Arts eventsTarleton Employees enjoy two complimentary general admission tickets for athletics and performing fine arts events on campus! Join Texan Nation on the bleachers or in the auditorium.Employee Wellness Release Time

Application Procedure:

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents, and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via the "Submit" action.

Employment applications must include (required):

Completed online applicationCover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications Curriculum Vitae or ResumeAt least 3 current professional references and their full contact informationUnofficial transcripts

         

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered.  Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.  “See resume” is not an acceptable entry in the job application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree‐granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.