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Chicago State University and the College of Health Sciences invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Chairperson for the Occupational Therapy program. The Chairperson provides leadership for a combined Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy program. This role is responsible for the administration and execution of policies of the department engaged in a programmatic aspect of the Department and University mission.

The mission of CSU’s OT Department is to prepare a diverse student body to meet the needs of individuals and populations in high needs, underserved communities. The program is designed to provide a transformative educational experience that develops entry-level therapists who exhibit the ability to integrate knowledge into practice while using evidence, critical thinking, and reflective abilities. Students are trained to take on a variety of roles of (i.e., practitioner, consultant, educator, manager, researcher, and advocate) within traditional and emerging service delivery systems.

In keeping with this mission, the chairperson provides leadership and participates in research, service, and some teaching within the professional program.

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Develop, in consultation with faculty members, goals and objectives for the Department in the areas of education, research and scholarly activities, and service, which articulate with the College’s mission and programmatic goals and objectives
• Assure that the Department meets union contractual guidelines and regulations
• Prepare, in consultation with faculty members in the department, course goals and objectives, descriptions and revisions of educational and training programs and curricula, and course descriptions for the College of Health Sciences catalog and for the Curriculum Committee
• Work with the Curriculum and Assessment Committees to assure the academic rigor and integrity of the aforementioned courses
• Prepare, in consultation with the Dean, the annual budget and supervise the implementation of the budget
• Critically review department records on a regular basis to evaluate the quality of the education, research, and service provided
• Facilitate the development of research programs and stimulate the faculty to participate actively in research programs
• Supervise and plan for department facilities
• Select department staff, supervise their duties, and evaluate their performance, when applicable in accordance with the non-academic personnel policies in force
• Assign to other members of the Department such specific duties as will make possible effective operations of the Department
• Schedule, prepare the agenda for, and preside over all departmental faculty meetings and forward minutes of these meetings on a regular basis to the members of the Department and the Office of the Dean
• Maintain up-to-date departmental records
• Prepare an annual report on the Department’s progress
• Recruit faculty, as needed, to meet the mission of the Department and acquaint new faculty members with department and college policies and procedures
• Perform annual faculty performance reviews, prepare written evaluations and professional development plans, make candid and documented recommendations regarding promotion in academic rank/advancement to tenure/renewal of contracts of members of the Department
• Organize the instructional schedule of the Department giving due consideration to individual faculty workload and delegate teaching responsibilities of each discipline to assure that the educational obligations for courses administered by the Department are satisfied
• Evaluate student concerns and/or complaints regarding the Department or its members and handle them in accordance with standard institutional procedures
• Encourage and facilitate the professional development of members of the Department, including active participation by faculty members in professional societies and in research/scholarly activities
• Establish and coordinate corporate and professional liaisons
• Present lectures, workshops, and laboratory exercises, as required, within the professional curriculum
• Assist the Dean with the procurement and allocation of public and private funding
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of occupational therapy, including practice as an occupational therapist and administrative experience as well as at least 5 years-experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities, with a good track record of scholarship and grantsmanship. 

In addition, the candidate must have the following:

• A degree in Occupational Therapy and an earned doctorate in Occupational Therapy or a relevant field. 
• Candidates must hold current certification by NBCOT, a current Illinois occupational therapy license or eligibility 

About Chicago State University

Chicago State University (CSU) is a public, comprehensive university that provides access to higher education for students of diverse backgrounds and educational needs.The University fosters the intellectual development and success of its students.The University's five colleges- Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences and Pharmacy offer over 36 undergraduate and 27 graduate degree-granting programs. The Department of Occupational Therapy at CSU was founded in 1982, making it the second oldest OT program in the State of Illinois.The mission of the OT Department is to prepare a diverse student body to meet the needs of individuals and populations in underserved communities. It currently offers an Entry-Level Masters (MOT) and a Combined Baccalaureate/Masters (BS/MOT) degree in OT. Since its first graduating class in 1984, the OT Department has graduated approximately 900 students, with over 70% of its graduates coming from underrepresented groups.

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