Department of Social Work Chairperson

The College of Health Sciences at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) invites applications for the position of Department of Social Work Chairperson. The Chair provides visionary leadership and administrative oversight to advance the mission of the department, college, and university. Serving as a vital link between faculty and administration, the Chair fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, advocates for faculty and students, and promotes excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

This is a full-time, main campus position (not remote or hybrid).

• Effective time management
• Budget oversight and resource allocation
• Program planning and scheduling
• Faculty and staff evaluation
• Equitable delegation of responsibilities
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Advocacy and mentoring to support faculty success
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching, scholarship, and service aligned with the department’s and the university’s mission
• Collaborative leadership style that embraces shared governance and builds trust with faculty, staff, students, and administrators
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills

• Exempt positions are only required to be posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. The closing date of the posting is subject to change without notice to the applicants.
• Please attach a copy of an unofficial transcript and references with the application. Official transcripts may be required upon hire.
• Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background check.

Salary based on Experience. For information on benefits, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The College of Health Sciences houses more than 20 programs and multiple clinics, including programs in Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Counseling and Human Services, Social Work, and Allied Health Sciences. The College is part of ETSU’s Academic Health Sciences Division, which also includes James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, and the College of Nursing
ETSU is a designated Academic Health Science Center in the United States and among the largest, with five health science colleges. ETSU Health serves Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina, offering primary, specialty, and rehabilitative care.
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students and highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution’s mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond.

Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement.

ETSU is an equal opportunity Employer

• Earned doctorate (PhD, DSW, EdD, ScD, or equivalent)
• MSW from a CSWE-accredited program; eligible for licensure in Tennessee at the time of hire
• Extensive experience with the CSWE accreditation process
• Minimum of six years of higher education experience
• Record of teaching, research, and service sufficient for appointment as Associate Professor or higher with tenure eligibility

• Administrative leadership experience in higher education (e.g., program director, graduate coordinator, department chair)
• Success in academic program management, including curriculum development and accreditation (undergraduate and/or graduate)
• Demonstrated ability to support faculty success in scholarship, including securing external funding
• Experience collaborating with community partners and leveraging regional partnerships
• Experience with interprofessional education