"Director, Institute for Government Innovation / Faculty of Practice"

Job Details

Position Title: Director, Institute for Government Innovation / Faculty of Practice

Job Posting Number: 2025048NTL

Job Location: San Marcos

College/Division: College of Liberal Arts

Department/School: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Position Description: The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice to serve as Director of the Institute for Government Innovation (IGI). The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in fostering strong partnerships between stakeholder communities, organizations, and university researchers by providing tools and technologies to identify, support, and sustain collaborative efforts. This is a non-tenure line, promotion-eligible position. The Director of IGI is responsible for maintaining the institute’s delivery of specialized expertise and resources to local, regional, and state communities while articulating new initiatives for IGI, with an emphasis on expanding external funding.

Since its establishment in 2003, the IGI has secured over $21 million in funding for the University, a testament to its impactful work and reputation. The Director is key in continuing to build on this success and will work to secure new funding through grants, contracts, and partnerships, ensuring the sustainability and growth of IGI’s projects and services.

The Director also leads the department’s internship program, offering invaluable work experience to students and fostering new internship opportunities. Nearly 500 students have benefited from IGI internships to date, and this position will play a central role in expanding these opportunities by partnering with external agencies and department alumni. The Director may also teach a 1-credit hour Professional Development course each semester to provide Geography and Environmental Studies majors with essential skills to launch their careers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilize participatory methods to engage with stakeholder communities
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships between stakeholder communities, organizations, and university researchers
• Provide tools and technologies to support community-driven initiatives
• Work towards achieving positive community change through collaborative efforts
• Oversee internship program
• Secure external funding

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University has 34 full-time faculty members, over 400 undergraduate majors in BA and BS programs and over 120 graduate students in our Master of Science (MS), Master of Applied Geography (MAG), and PhD programs in geography, geographic education, and geographic information science. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies is part of the College of Liberal Arts.

https://www.geo.txst.edu/

Required Qualifications:

For all ranks:

• Ph.D. in Geography or related field
• Strong partnership-building skills

For the Assistant Professor of Practice Rank:

• Minimum of five years of recent experience in the public or private sector and a proven record of successful project management and collaboration with academic and community partners.

For the Associate Professor of Practice Rank:

• Minimum of ten years of recent experience in the public or private sector and a proven record of successful project management and collaboration with academic and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in community-based participatory research
• Proficiency in using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and other spatial analysis tools
• Strong background in qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Proven record of securing grant or contract funding

Application Procedures: To ensure full consideration, please submit the materials listed below by July 1, 2025. Only applications submitted through the Texas State University website will be considered: https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/52229. The application must include: 1. Cover letter not to exceed four pages outlining the applicant’s professional qualifications, area of expertise, and fit within the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. 2. Up-to-date curriculum vitae. 3. Unofficial Transcripts (all in one document). 4. The name, e-mail address, and telephone number of three references. Please provide the names and email addresses for your references in the Reference Letter section of the employment application. Upon review of your application, an automated email will be generated and sent to your references with instructions on how to attach the reference letter to your application through a confidential online portal. For inquiries, please e-mail Dr. Alberto Giordano, Chair of the Search Committee, at a.giordano@txstate.edu and indicate “TXST Faculty of Practice – Center Director” in the subject line of all correspondence. To be considered in the initial pool of candidates, complete applications must be received no later than July 1, 2025. Complete applications received after this date will only be considered if no viable candidates are identified and hired from the initial pool. This position will remain open until filled. All positions are subject to availability of funds.

Type of Position: Full-Time

Proposed Start Date: 09/01/2025

Posting Date: 04/17/2025

Review Date: 07/25/2025

Open Until Filled?: Yes