School Psychology Department Chair

William James College announces an opening for a Department Chair position in the School Psychology Department. The William James College School Psychology Department is comprised of a friendly, dynamic, and energetic group of practitioners/scholars.  We are a student-focused department passionate about training our students to be well-rounded school psychologists well-versed in social justice, prevention, and social and emotional learning.   Rank is commensurate with experience.

William James College is committed to an active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in people, in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in the College's intellectual, social, cultural, and geographical communities. William James College endorses a framework of inclusive excellence, which recognizes that institutional excellence comes from fully engaging with diversity in all aspects of institutional activities

Position Summary:

The School Psychology Department Chair is a full-time academic administrator who reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) and provides leadership and long-term planning in the School Psychology Department. The Chair supervises faculty and administrative staff across four academic programs, evaluates curriculum, maintains program accreditation (NASP), oversees student-oriented activities, and manages student enrollment, outreach, and recruitment activities. The Chair works with the VPAA to ensure that departmental programs are aligned with the mission and strategic goals of William James College. The Chair supports institutional initiatives and the development of new programs. Strong, inclusive leadership skills, flexibility, creative problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession are essential requirements for this position.

Leadership Expectations:

• Provide leadership toward the achievement of the highest possible level of inclusive excellence in the teaching and service activities of the department.
• Support the strategic goals of the College through all of the department's programming decisions and through new initiatives, as requested by the President.
• Articulate the department's goals and maintain a climate that is inclusive and encourages faculty engagement, participation, collegiality, and innovation.
• Develop the department's academic programs in alignment with the mission of the College and in alignment with evolving accreditation requirements.
• Assist with the active recruitment of a diverse student body by creating and maintaining a productive partnership with the admissions office. 
• Hire and retain outstanding and diverse faculty and staff.
• Respond to questions, complaints, grievances, and suggestions from members of the department, including academic and staff personnel and students. The Chair has the responsibility to take appropriate actions as required and in accordance with the policies and rules of the College.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Responsible for implementing College policy and rules within the department.
• Responsible for preparing and proposing budget requests, establishing expenditure priorities, and fairly and equitably administering the department budget, subject to the policies established by the VPAA and CFO, and for articulating the relationship between the budget and the department's strategic plan.
• Responsible for establishing teaching schedules in consultation with faculty and Academic Affairs and assigning faculty to meet the needs of the curriculum.
• Serve as Program Director for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved MA/CAGS School Psychology Program
• Ensure continued accreditation of the MA/CAGS School Psychology Programs (NASP)
• Supervise departmental program directors, Associate Director of Field Education, and Department Coordinator, providing consultation and support as needed.

Position Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in School Psychology with appropriate School Psychology license (or license eligible in MA)
• Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) or eligible
• Two or more years of experience working in an elementary or secondary school as a school psychologist (preferred)
• Commitment to the recruitment, retention, and development of a diverse student and faculty body, including advocating for the learning needs of diverse/underrepresented students and the use of innovative teaching strategies
• Familiarity with NASP Accreditation requirements
• Graduate teaching and advising experience
• Record of professional contributions to the field of school psychology (e.g., professional development workshops, professional conference presentations)

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Michelle Costa, Human Resources Recruiting Manager at HR@williamjames.edu.

Inclusive Excellence at William James College

William James College is an institution and a community committed to the principles of excellence, fairness, and respect for all people. Making excellence inclusive is an active process through which colleges and universities achieve excellence in learning, teaching, student development, institutional functioning, and engagement in local and global communities.