Sports Science Professor and Department Chair - Dallas

Benefits: · Tuition assistance · Dental insurance · Free food & snacks · Health insurance · Training & development · About the Role: · In Fall 2023, Dallas Christian College (DCC) launched a new Sports Science Department offering several degrees in that field. The first faculty c ...

Job description

Benefits:
Tuition assistance
Dental insurance
Free food & snacks
Health insurance
Training & development


About the Role:
In Fall 2023, Dallas Christian College (DCC) launched a new Sports Science Department offering several degrees in that field.

The first faculty chair for that department built from the ground up a strong, faith-based Sports Science programs that will shape students and impact those they serve for many years to come.

Dallas Christian College (DCC) is seeking a Christ-centered and highly motivated faculty chair who can solidify and build upon that foundation.

Position Summary:
The Sports Science Department Chair holds a full-time faculty position that includes responsibilities in both teaching and departmental management.

The department chair serves in accordance with policies found in the DCC Employee Hand-book, including the Faculty Supplement in Sections 7-9 of that document.

The department chair reports to the Vice President of Academics (VPA) and serves on the DCC Academic Council.

The department chair provides direction, guidance, and oversight for the Sports Science Department, which offers five academic programs delivered primarily, but not exclusively, in the traditional, on-ground format:

Associate of Science (A.S.) in Sports Science
Bachelor of Sports Science (B.S.S.) in Athletic Coaching and Bible
B.S.S. in Sports Management and Bible
B.S.S. in Sports & Recreation Ministry and Bible
Christian Athletic Coaching Certificate

DCC expects all members of the faculty to be committed to Jesus Christ as Lord and actively involved in a local Christian church (see below under "Statements of Faith").

In partnership with the faculty, administration, and student development staff, the Sports Science Department Chair promotes and advances DCC's mission to "educate and mentor students to be people of influence, engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the Church and in the world." The department chair leads the department in creating transformative learning experiences that empower and equip students across learning modalities (traditional, residential, commuter, online, and non-traditional students) to lead enriched and productive lives that honor God and reflect integration of a biblical worldview.

The department chair is expected to integrate Christian faith and learning, to support student spiritual and academic development and to uphold the doctrinal commitments and community standards of the college, consistent with accreditation standards of the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).

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Essential Duties And Responsibilities

As stated in the DCC Employee Handbook, a normal full-time faculty workload "will not exceed the guidelines established by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) or fifteen (15) semester hours per semester, whichever is less." Full-time faculty members may be asked to teach in the summer or other special sessions (e.g.

Wintermester) and will receive additional compensation for doing so.

During the summer months of June through mid-August, a faculty member may accept as many teaching assignments as time permits.

Since the Sports Science Department Chair carries both teaching and managerial responsibilities (outlined below), the department chair will teach less than a full-time load and receive load credit for managerial functions.

The teaching/managerial load will be determined each year on an individual basis by the Vice President of Academics in conversation with the department chair.

The ratio of teaching hours versus managerial hours may vary from year to year, depending on the activities of a given year.

To illustrate:

If a department is conducting formal program reviews, seeking professional accreditation, or developing multiple new programs, the chair may be assigned fewer teaching hours and more managerial hours for that year.

If the managerial load is lighter for a given year, the chair may be assigned more teaching hours and fewer managerial hours.

With permission from the VPA, chairs may teach up to 6 credit hours of overload per year with additional remuneration.

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Managerial Responsibilities:

Teaching Responsibilities:
Teach courses, as assigned, in on-ground, online, and/or blended formats.

Research and scholarship:

Although research is not part of the College's mission, faculty members are expected to maintain familiarity with current scholarship in their field of expertise.

The College recognizes that professors engaged in productive study are working and improving the instruction they provide to students.

Lead and encourage departmental faculty as they carry out Dallas Christian College's mission and educational goals


Areas of focus include:

Academic Council:

Serve on the DCC Academic Council, which consists of the Vice President of Academics (chair), academic department chairs, Registrar, and others.

This team is together responsible for DCC academic programs and policies, educational effectiveness, interviewing and approving faculty candidates, institutional and professional accreditation compliance, and quality control—with each chair or director taking the lead in these matters with regard to his/her own department.

Liaison:

Serve as liaison between departmental faculty and the VPA and Academic Council for the sake of a coordinated effort toward accomplishing the College's mission and goals.

Provide thoughtful counsel and subject matter expertise to the VPA and Academic Council as they address issues related to the Sports Science Department and the College as a whole.

Course and Program Development:

Oversee academic program development within the Sports Science Department in cooperation with the VPA, Academic Council, and academic support personnel.

Ensure that all programs reflect the mission, values, philosophy, and educational objectives of Dallas Christian College.
Sports Science Program Management
Provide leadership and supervision for the Sports Science programs with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
Chair regular meetings of the Sports Science Committee which consists of full-time and part-time departmental faculty.

Lead Committee oversight of departmental programs and policies, such as program admission standards, graduation requirements, faculty recruitment, educational effectiveness, program improvement, and overall quality control.

Coordinate the planning, organization, and teaching of Sports Science courses, including curricula, textbook selection, and faculty teaching assignments for the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Review annually the Sports Science section of the college catalog.
Provide leadership and supervision of practicum elements within the Sports Science programs, including internships.
Nurture student networking with professional organizations and faith-based associations (e.g. Fellow-ship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, and the Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers) that will resource and enhance their careers in the field.

Build cooperative relationships with local sports organizations, church-based sports ministries, and the DCC athletics department for the purpose of creating practicum and internship experiences that contribute to students' professional growth.

Assemble and analyze assessment data of student learning outcomes, recommending needed changes.
"Close the loop" on assessment by initiating and monitoring program improvements.
Supervise formal academic program reviews, as scheduled, in cooperation with the VPA, Academic Council, and Institutional Effectiveness team.

While annual assessment efforts measure how well students meet program learning objectives, formal program reviews determine what those objectives should be in light of current needs in the profession.

Cooperate with the VPA and Registrar to develop the academic calendar, master course schedule, faculty roster, classroom assignments, and other elements needed for a smooth, organized educational operation.

Assist the VPA with development of departmental budgets.
Faculty Oversight
Assist the VPA with locating, screening, interviewing, and hiring new Sports Science faculty members, including part-time adjunct instructors.
Provide orientation, training, and mentoring as needed for departmental faculty.
Work with the VPA and Registrar to make Sports Science faculty teaching and committee assignments.

Hold regular meetings of departmental faculty for purposes of sharing information, conducting departmental business, building morale, and otherwise ensuring a coordinated effort in accomplishing DCC's educational mission.

Encourage and facilitate faculty professional development.

Monitor the performance of departmental faculty members—especially new instructors and those who are struggling—by, for example, reviewing course evaluations, occasionally visiting their classes or online courses, discussing areas of needed improvement, and otherwise providing encouragement and support.

Staff Oversight (if applicable)
Assist the VPA with screening, interviewing, and hiring departmental support staff.
Provide staff orientation, training, and mentoring as needed.
Encourage and facilitate staff professional development.
Monitor the performance of support staff and ensuring a smooth, organized educational operation.
Marketing and Student Recruitment

Cooperate with the Enrollment Management Department, Athletic Director, and Coaches in develop-ing and implementing marketing and recruiting strategies for Sports Science programs.

Handle emails and phone calls from prospective Sports Science students to answer questions that go beyond what admission staff can handle.

Student Advising and Mentoring
Provide academic advising, monitoring, and mentoring for Sports Science students.

The mission of Dallas Christian College is "to educate and mentor." The faculty's interaction with students outside the classroom is as central to their work as interaction inside the classroom.

Academic advising is a kind of mentoring, as the faculty person seeks to understand the students' needs and help them align their coursework, internships, and other learning activities with those goals.

Through formal and informal interactions, faculty members are always called to bring the presence of Christ into the lives of students.

Maintain 6+ posted office hours per week for interaction with students.
Coordinate regular meetings of Sports Science students for the purpose of sharing information and facilitating their progress.
Handle student issues by, for example, investigating complaints against instructors and otherwise guarding the quality of their educational experience.
Attend key student functions, such as New Student Orientation, Chapel, and Commencement.

Cooperate with the Vice President of Academics and the Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management in providing high quality academic and student support services.

Institutional Accreditation:

Cooperate with the Vice President of Academics and Accreditation Liaison to maintain DCC's institutional accreditation by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).

Other:
Carry out additional duties assigned by the Vice President of Academics
Minimum Qualifications


Education and Experience:

Master's degree required in Sports Science or a related field (e.g., such as Sports Management, Sports Ministry, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health and Human Performance, Physical Education, or Health and Fitness) from an institution accredited by agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S.

Department of Education, or the appropriate provincial government.
Minimum five years of professional experience in a sports-related field.

Ability to develop and / or teach multiple courses in the Sports Science programs—especially the Core courses, which include (1) Introduction to Sport and Fitness Leadership; (2) Organization and Management of Athletic Programs; (3) Sport and Exercise Psychology; (4) Prevention and Management of Common Sports Injuries; (5) Coaching, Mentoring, and Christian Discipleship; and (6) Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards for Sports Leadership.

The biblical/theological foundation necessary for integrating a biblical worldview and promoting faith integration in Sports Science programs.
Preferred Qualifications

Earned doctorate in Sports Science or a related field (e.g., such as Sports Management, Sports Ministry, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health and Human Performance, Physical Education, or Health and Fitness) from an institution accredited by agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S.

Department of Education, or the appropriate provincial government.
Professional experience in athletic coaching.
Professional experience in sports management.
Professional experience in sports and recreation ministry.
Professional experience working in an institution of higher education, especially a faith-based college or university.

Familiarity with professional organizations, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers (CSRM).

Familiarity with organizations where sports and faith meet, such as Athletes in Action (AIA) and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Familiarity with the sports scene in Dallas/Fort Worth and ways students could get involved.
Prior teaching experience in higher education.
Experience integrating faith and learning in an academic setting.
Experience teaching online or hybrid courses.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrates proficient knowledge of current content, research, practices, standards, and expectations in Sports Science.
Demonstrates effectiveness in integrating a biblical worldview and promoting faith integration throughout the Sports Science Department and programs.

Demonstrates effective classroom management and teaching skills in a variety of academic settings with students of varied backgrounds and abilities.

Demonstrates proficient administrative and organizational skills.
Demonstrates competent interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrates ability to work well with other people, including culturally diverse populations.
Responds to public inquiries accurately, promptly, and courteously.
Demonstrates integrity and ethics.
Maintains confidentiality.
Exhibits a professional appearance, demeanor, and decorum.
Maintains punctuality in daily schedule, meetings, and appointments.
Meets task completion deadlines as established by supervisor.
Ability to engage students from diverse backgrounds within a Christ-centered learning community.
Commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and student success.

Technical Skills

Demonstrates proficiency with MS Office, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Demonstrates the capability of learning other technology applications, such as the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) used in all DCC classes.

Work Schedule and Conditions

Ability to handle standard office conditions, including but not limited to extended sitting and/or standing, reading, writing, typing, speaking, and use of technology.

Ability to climb stairs.
Ability to supervise and/or set up a classroom, including physical arrangement of desks, chairs, tables, displays, and centers.
Ability to supervise and/or set up rooms for meetings.

Ability to travel occasionally within the Dallas/Fort Worth area and sometimes to outside conferences for purposes of networking and supervising interns.

Campus courses may be scheduled during day, evening, or weekend hours.
Instruction may delivered in an asynchronous or synchronous online format.
Appointment is contingent upon enrollment, institutional needs, and adherence to doctrinal and lifestyle expectations of the college.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, a passion for mentoring young athletes in their faith and life journey, and a commitment to representing DCC with integrity and excellence at the regional and national levels.

About Us:

Dallas Christian College has been a cornerstone of higher education in Dallas, TX, for over 75 years, dedicated to developing leaders through a Christ-centered education.

Our vibrant community is known for its supportive atmosphere, where students thrive academically and spiritually, making it a fantastic place for both students and employees alike.

Flexible work from home options available.