Chair, Department of Civil Engineering

Chair, Department of Civil Engineering

Boise State University

Job no: 499619

Work type: Faculty

Location: Boise,

Categories: College of Engineering

Boise State University invites applications for a Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering to lead the development and implementation of a clear, forward-looking strategic vision and drive excellence in a college defined by innovation and growth potential, located in a thriving metropolitan region. This is an opportunity for a collaborative and accountable academic leader to guide a department during a period of growth in research activity, programs, and student demand.

The Chair will play a central role in shaping the department's future, building a strong and cohesive academic community while expanding its impact in research, education, and external partnerships. This role requires a leader who can advance strategic priorities while strengthening alignment, culture, and trust to support a high-performing and cohesive academic community.

The department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Civil Engineering program with emphasis areas including environmental, structural, geotechnical, transportation, and water resources engineering, along with a growing M.S. program. Department faculty advise students in the interdisciplinary and collaborative Ph.D. in Engineering and Ph.D. in Computing programs.

The Chair provides administrative and academic leadership for the department and reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering. In collaboration with the faculty, the Chair will develop and implement the department's strategic vision, hire and mentor faculty in their professional growth, and steward resources and partnerships to support program excellence, accountability, and a culture of trust and innovation to ensure long-term impact.

• Make timely, well-reasoned decisions and communicate them transparently
• Address conflict directly and constructively to strengthen alignment and support a cohesive, high-functioning department.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and follow-through that enables collective success.

The Chair is appointed to a three-year term, subject to annual faculty contract renewal in accordance with university policy. The Chair appointment is renewable, contingent upon performance, departmental needs, and approval by the Dean and Provost. The College seeks a candidate who is prepared to provide sustained, stable leadership and is interested in serving multiple terms to ensure long-range goals are fully realized.

The Department of Civil Engineering at Boise State University is a community of innovative educators, scholars, and students dedicated to designing the sustainable and resilient systems of tomorrow.

• Dynamic Growth:
  With a thriving population of approximately 270 undergraduate and 25 graduate students, we are committed to providing inclusive, hands-on educational experiences that prepare the next generation of infrastructure leaders.
• Interdisciplinary Research:
  Our ten core faculty members lead high-impact research across engineered and natural systems. We leverage two robust, interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs, Engineering and Computing, to attract top-tier doctoral talent and push the boundaries of technical innovation.
• Regional Context and Impact:
  Located in Boise, one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, the department is well-positioned to engage with complex infrastructure and environmental challenges. Faculty and students benefit from strong connections to regional industry, government, and community partners, creating meaningful opportunities for applied research, student learning, and real-world impact. We pride ourselves on a culture of shared governance and collaboration, offering a new Chair the opportunity to help shape the department’s continued growth and impact.

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related field
• Eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, and must meet the institution's standards for tenure at the time of hire.
• Clearly demonstrated record of academic leadership experience relevant to the position of department chair
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship and teaching
• Demonstrated ability to make complex decisions and manage conflict in academic or organizational settings

• Experience leading departments or programs through growth or strategic repositioning
• Experience with faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure, and shared academic governance
• Familiarity with ABET accreditation
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, including evidence of transparent communication and consistent follow-through, and to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and lead with fairness and integrity
• Experience with multi-year strategic planning and implementation
• Record of building research capacity and supporting faculty development
• Experience…