Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Health - School of Public Health

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) appreciates your interest in employment. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:  

• Once you start the application process you cannot save your work. Please ensure you have all required attachment(s) available to complete your application before you begin the process.  
• Required attachments are listed below on the posting. Your application will not be considered without the required attachments.  
• Please note that applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.  If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Health in the School of Public Health [R0149241].

ROLE of the POSITION

The department chair, as academic component leader, facilitates the management of the department. To carry out this responsibility, the chair oversees, directly or indirectly, the daily progress toward achieving teaching, research, service, and strategic goals.

The department chair is charged with seeing the big picture: looking at the department as a whole and at the department's relationship to the School and University. Examples may include representing and advocating for the department and balancing that with the goals of the School/Dean’s Office, students, and market demands. The department chair is also charged with stewarding the day-to-day operation of the department, as well as maintaining reduced requirements as a faculty member (teaching half-time and continuing to publish). 

Expectations of the Department Chair

• Maintain a collegial environment —one in which all members feel valued, that they have a stake in the endeavor, that they have a voice, that they are part of a team, and that they have ownership in the program/department.

• Be a liaison between the department and the Dean:

  • The Department Chair is the person the Dean will turn to with regard to any issues facing the department.

  • The Department Chair who will go to the Dean with concerns initiated by the department.

  • The Department Chair is the representative of the department, a spokesperson, and an advocate for the department.

  • The Department Chair is also the person who will relate and communicate to the department the perspective of and/or decisions of the Dean/School and University.

  • The Department Chair represents and advocates for the department, but this must be balance with the goals of the School/Dean’s Office, students, and market demands.

• Be a team player and a big-picture thinker. The Department Chair will lead the department in developing and implementing immediate and long-range departmental goals and strategies (in concert with faculty input) to meet University and School goals and objectives.

  • This includes efforts focused on increasing enrollment and retention, adapting programs and curriculum as needed, and ensuring appropriate strategies are implemented.

  • The Department Chair will also be part of the School’s Academic Leadership Team, which helps develop goals and strategies for the School.

• Be a role model - The Department Chair is the face of the department. This means s/he needs to be available and ready to work through issues. Colleagues will look to her/him as a model, and they will see how s/he is responding in all kinds of ways.

• Be visible and in communication. The Department Chair is the gate keeper and first-in-line resource person and needs to be accessible and responsive, including time in the office on campus.

Specific Activities of the Department Chair include:

• Teach one course in each term (fall and spring).

• Be active in service on the Council of Chairs and other roles supporting the School and University.

• Lead the department in the enhancement of departmental curricula and initiatives for the improvement of instruction. This includes:

  • ensuring that course offerings for majors and non-majors are balanced in formats, times, and days offered, with consideration of student and faculty needs

  • supporting faculty members in their ability to teach effectively and improve curriculum

  • supporting faculty members’ innovation, engagement, and societal impact initiatives.

• Work with the Dean on any financial/budgetary needs or challenges.

• Establish Advisory Boards for the disciplines in the department

• Ensure effective implementation of University, School, and Department policies.

• Coordinate activities within the Department, including assessment, accreditation, and other School and University initiatives.

• Exercise leadership in recruiting and retaining capable faculty.

• Forward Departmental recommendations to the Dean for hiring full-time and part-time faculty.

• Monitor the performance evaluation of full-time and part-time faculty.

• Encourage continuous improvement of faculty performance by fostering and supporting good teaching, relevant research, and scholarly writing.

• Make recommendations relative to tenure, promotion, reappointment, salary adjustment, and leaves of absence.

• Review and forward requests for permission to travel for professional purposes per University policy.

• Review and forward all faculty proposals for awards and leaves.

• Arrange for representation for the department at official University and School functions such as commencement ceremonies, events, etc.

• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of faculty and students from diverse backgrounds.

• Monitor, with faculty, the academic progress of students.

• Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date faculty and student records.

• Supervise and evaluate direct report staff.

• Supervise the resolution of student grievances/grade appeals, following established procedures.

• Schedule and preside over department meetings.

• Serve as the primary Departmental contact for recruitment and retention efforts.

• Demonstrate interpersonal relations that foster a professional working atmosphere.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Dean.

Benchmarks for Performance

• Increase in enrollment and retention of students in the department.

• Faculty progress toward tenure, promotion, and performance goals.

• Contribute to the progress of the School of Public Health.

PROFILE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The department is composed of several research-intensive faculty with over $5M in NIH funding; their expertise includes areas such as:

• Early childhood development

• Early obesity prevention

• Breastfeeding

• Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and aging

• Ethical-legal-social implications of genetics/genomics

• Global health

• Housing

• LGBTQIA

• Substance misuse

• Young adult health

• Sexuality education

• Children’s mental and physical health

• Health disparities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• This position requires a PhD degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Community Health, or related fields from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Previous leadership experience as a Graduate Coordinator, Program Coordinator, or Center Director.

• Must have experience mentoring junior faculty, a strong portfolio of external funding, and experience working with diverse communities to address health disparities. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience as Departmental Chair and research expertise in health communications, mixed methods, or qualitative research designs.

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.

SALARY

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Competitive total rewards package including:

  • Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays

  • Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision

  • Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs

• No state income tax

• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools

• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS & PROGRAMS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs

• UNLV athletics ticket discounts

• Statewide employee purchase program discounts

• RebelCard discounts on and off campus

• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost

• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

• Connect with colleagues with shared interests

• Personal and professional development opportunities

• A comprehensive onboarding program, Rebels: Onboard

• Support and resources available for veteran applicants — contact [email protected] or visit our Veterans Webpage.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Materials should be addressed to Search Committee Chair.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin immediately.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Workday. Please note that emailed materials will not be accepted.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. UNLV values the skills of those who have served. Learn more at Veterans Webpage or contact [email protected] for support.

For assistance with the application process, please review instructions on How to Apply. For further assistance contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, “R0149241” in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity, and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us on line at: http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Mail Stop 1062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Campus Services Building (CSB) Room 246, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: [email protected], or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected]; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEGORY

Academic faculty

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted.

Posting Close Date

12/30/2026

Note to Applicant

This position may require that a criminal background check be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.  

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified,  HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. 

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.  

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.  

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements (if a closing date is provided).

Recruitments that provide a work schedule are subject to change based on organizational needs.