"Assistant Professor of Family and Child Development"

Job Details

Faculty are essential to Liberty University’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. It is expected that ‎‎‎‎‎‎a faculty member model a personal commitment to the goals and values of Liberty University, engage ‎‎‎‎‎‎in an active commitment to, and experience of, personal spiritual formation within a biblically informed ‎‎‎‎‎‎Christian worldview. Faculty should view their teaching, engagement with students, and scholarship as a ‎‎‎‎means to a significant educational ‎‎end. They should strive to employ a variety of techniques for the ‎‎‎‎development of good learning ‎‎conditions, view each student as a unique individual, and insofar as it is ‎‎‎‎possible, provide for individual ‎‎differences, abilities, and interests. ‎

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Instructor or Assistant Professor’s primary role is to teach in their areas of expertise, maintain the ‎‎integrity of ‎‎‎course and ‎instructional programs, and to ensure that their delivery is in alignment with the University ‎‎‎mission and ‎‎‎vision for the student experience. As such, faculty are responsible for creating an academic ‎‎‎atmosphere ‎‎‎of mutual respect and consideration for individual dignity. Faculty members may be asked ‎‎‎to aid in the ‎‎‎development of curriculum in the residential and distance education environments, as well ‎‎‎as engage in ‎‎‎research/scholarship or creative activity that varies depending upon the expectations of ‎‎‎their respective ‎‎‎college or school and any additional activities involving service to students and their ‎‎‎professional ‎‎‎discipline. ‎

Faculty attain the rank of Assistant Professor based upon scholarly and professional achievements. An ‎‎earned doctoral degree or a terminal master’s degree at an accredited institution in an area relevant to ‎‎‎the faculty member’s area of teaching or a professional certificate (e.g., CPA) is preferred but not ‎‎‎required.‎ A terminal degree is required for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor.

Instructors/Assistant Professors are contracted for 10, 11, or 12 months (30, 33, or 36 load hours, respectively).‎ ‎‎Release from contracted teaching load is determined each semester by the Dean, per Liberty University Faculty Handbook.

Faculty are expected to:

• Create, modify, and teach material from the approved curriculum.
• Assist students in achieving the completion of objectives and learning outcomes.
• Provide regular and timely feedback to students.
• Participate in school retention and recruitment.
• Advise students in matters related to academics, attendance, and behaviors.
• Maintain and report student grades and attendance in accordance with university policies.
• Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission – Training Champions for Christ.

Position Prospectus

The Family and Child Development program at Liberty University is part of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences within the College of Arts & Sciences. Family and Child Development is a robust program with 100 majors. Faculty provide students with comprehensive instruction immersed with hands-on experiences. The Family and Child Development program prepares students to assist children, families, and communities to function effectively. In addition to this instruction, students are prepared to develop essential skills through volunteer opportunities and an internship. Faculty must be willing to contribute to online initiatives of the university.

An application file includes a C.V., a completed institutional application form, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation (two professional and/or academic and one letter from the applicant’s current pastor), and written statements of the candidate’s Christian experience, philosophy of education, and integration of faith and discipline. For more information, please see Liberty University’s Human Resources webpage. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Liberty is a Christian institution that requires faculty subscription to an evangelical doctrinal statement (including statements on biblical inerrancy, six-day creation and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to a Christian lifestyle (including abstention from alcohol and tobacco). The FACS Department is comprised of collegial faculty who emphasize a commitment to Christ and the Scriptures, a dedication to teaching, and a biblical worldview approach to FACS disciplines. Candidates must support the evangelical mission and educational philosophy of Liberty University. Additional information is available through the FACS Chair, Dr. Janet Brown (jkbrown2@liberty.edu), or the CAS Associate Dean, Dr. Alexander Mason (samason@liberty.edu).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Family Studies, Counseling, Human Services, Social Work, or related field from an accredited institution with at least 18 graduate credit hours directly related to course content covered in the Family and Child Development – Theories and Therapy of Play; Family Dynamics, Parenting; Early Childhood development.
• Professional experience in the field of counseling with children.

Preferred Qualifications

• MA, MFT, or PhD in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, or related field from an accredited institution.
• LPC; RPT.
• Teaching experience in higher education.
• Extensive professional experience in the field of counseling children and families.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well articulated information.
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Computer skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be required to travel locally.
• May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well-lit, and the noise level is moderate. Working environment may include facilitation of events outdoors occasionally.

Driving Requirements

If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel. Proof of a valid driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee’s position.