DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Provost, the Assessment Director provides leadership and support for the assessment of academic programs, co-curricular units, and the undergraduate core curriculum in order to promote improvement in student learning and maintain accreditations. The successful candidate will possess excellent leadership, communication, team, and human relations skills and must be able to effectively work in a long-standing, robust environment of shared governance. Responsibilities of the position also include working with faculty, staff, and administrators to build and sustain a culture of assessment through the development and revision of assessment approaches and examining best practices. The Director consults and collaborates with other university offices on assessment-related training and professional development, as well as leading the selection and administration of institution-wide assessment instruments such as the NSSE and the CLA. The incumbent also serves as a campus-wide resource on assessment and will work to develop, implement, and coordinate assessment efforts; consults with individuals and offices on developing appropriate goals, objectives and assessment measures; monitors and communicates assessment planning and activities; conducts workshops; serves as a member of the University Assessment Committee; consults on technical aspects of assessment (e.g., data collection and analysis, survey development and interpretation, developing focus groups, knowledge of qualitative methods, etc.). The successful candidate will also play a leadership role in Institutional Effectiveness and will provide support for specialized accreditation efforts (AACSB, ABET, NCATE/CAAPE, etc.) in documenting student achievement and continuous program improvement. This position will also lead the implementation of appropriate assessment data management software.

Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree
Experience in the practice of assessment of student learning within a postsecondary education setting
Experience promoting and sustaining a culture of assessment
Experience working with various assessment techniques
Experience working across departments and/or colleges in developing, implementing, and analyzing comprehensive assessment plans

Preferred Qualifications:
Doctorate
Experience working with assessment software solutions
Experience providing leadership in regional or program accreditation efforts

Preferred Position Start Date: May 28th, 2012

Additional Information: Pittsburg State University is an accredited, comprehensive, state-supported institution in southeastern Kansas, enrolling more than 7,000 students annually. The institution has Colleges in the fields of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Technology. For more information visit: http://www.pittstate.edu. Pittsburg (www.pittks.org) has a population of approximately 20,000 residents is located in southeast Kansas, about thirty miles from Joplin, Missouri, which has a metropolitan area population of about 60,000 residents. Kansas City is located 120 miles north; Tulsa, Oklahoma is 125 miles southwest; Wichita is 160 miles west; and Springfield, Missouri is 95 miles east. Air travel is through Joplin Regional Airport, NW Arkansas Regional Airport, or Springfield Airport.

Application Process: Please submit electronically the following to Dr. Janet V. Smith, Special Assistant to the Provost for HLC Accreditation at acad@pittstate.edu:
• Cover Letter (PDF)
• Curriculum Vita (PDF)
• List of 5 references (PDF) NOTE: Each reference should include Reference Name, Title, Address, Phone Number, and Email Address

Criminal Background Check will be required.

Application Deadline: March 7th, 2012 or until filled.

Pittsburg State University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer.