Job Listings

Boise State University, powered by creativity and innovation, stands uniquely positioned in the Northwest as a metropolitan research university of distinction. Learn more about Boise State and the City of Boise at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/

Boise State University is building an inclusive community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, cultural contributions, work history, and perspectives create a rich and rewarding academic experience for our students. Research demonstrates that people thrive when they feel welcome, respected, and inspired. We seek applicants who are committed to helping us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Applications from members of historically marginalized groups, including women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have served in the military, and members of other underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged.

The Institute for Inclusive and Transformative Scholarship (IFITS) at Boise State University is looking for its next leader. The Deputy Director will spend their first year helping to lead all IFITS programs while shadowing the Executive Director. Upon the retirement of the current Executive Director at the end of December 2024, the Deputy Director will step into that role. This is an incredible opportunity to have a full year of onboarding and mentorship before taking on the leadership and future direction of IFITS.

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic leader, someone who is passionate about creating equitable and inclusive learning and research environments, has experience in a STEM discipline, truly understands the life of the university faculty member, has a passion for mentoring and development of undergraduate scholars and peer faculty, and wants to have an impact at all levels of the university. They also are skilled at and enjoy developing, writing, collaborating on, and leading externally funded projects that support undergraduate and graduate education and scholarship. 

The successful candidate will have the interest and aptitude to thrive in academic administration while advocating for and supporting scholars of all levels (from first year undergraduate through to senior professors) across campus. 

This is an exciting time to step into this leadership role. The new Boise State University Strategic Plan specifically calls out goals and objectives directly related to the mission of IFITS. This positions the next IFITS leader with great opportunities to contribute to the strategic direction of the university.

This position is a 12-month, professional staff position with faculty status. Details related to rank and home department will be determined based on the individual’s qualifications.

In 2020, the Institute for Inclusive & Transformative Scholarship (IFITS) was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education. It evolved out of the Institute for STEM & Diversity Initiatives, with the vision of creating and nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community, where all are actively engaged in the scholarly life of the university and the region. The IFITS staff is a small but mighty team that serves undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and our community in order to increase access to and accelerate impacts from transformative scholarship. The IFITS Executive Director reports to the Provost, with a dotted reporting line to the Vice President of Research, and leads several externally funded projects that support the work of the Institute.  IFITS works extensively with many other university offices to collaboratively achieve our goals. IFITS leads the VIP program, the ASSERT program, and consults with faculty from across campus on their scholarly initiatives. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) lives within IFITS and works to engage all undergraduates in the scholarly life of the university. We do this through programming (e.g. Summer Research Community), cohort programs (e.g. LSAMP and Bridge to the Baccalaureate), and through grants and paid research experiences (e.g. HERC Fellowship, URCA grant). OUR also offers workshops and mentorship training to support faculty and researchers, and hosts several large events for undergraduate researchers to present their work.

Recognized master in a professional discipline with significant impact and influence on campus policy and program development. Establishes critical strategic and operational goals; develops and implements new products, processes, standards or operational plans to achieve strategies. Regularly leads projects of critical importance to the campus that carry substantial consequences of success or failure. Requires significant influence and communication with executive leadership. Problems faced are frequently complex and multidimensional, requiring broad-based consideration of variables that impact multiple areas of the organization.

Leadership:

• Leadership of IFITS. Identify needs and strategies to enhance a community of inclusive and transformative scholarship; foster and maintain internal and external partnerships; oversee the annual budgeting process, financial management, fiscal accountability and reporting for the Institute.

Support Student and Faculty Success:

• Foster and support initiatives, actions, and partnerships to increase students’ scholarly identities and sense of belonging at the university, and faculty research and their progression as inclusive scholars.

Program Development/Implementation/Collaboration:

• Provide leadership and advocacy for the coordination, collaboration, promotion, and implementation of programs and services that support the achievement of the IFITS vision, mission, and goals.
• Seek outside funding and partner, when appropriate, to support initiatives related to the IFITS mission.

External Advocacy:

• Providing guidance and leadership in the state, region, and nation to assure Boise State, as an institution, successfully catalyzes conversation, culture, and agency in inclusive and transformative scholarship.

Program Assessment:

• Gathering and reporting empirical evidence related to the effectiveness of IFITS.

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated track record of working to create inclusive spaces and programs for learning and scholarship
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to prioritize, scaffold and drive programs and initiatives at a variety of stages of development including creation, execution, facilitation, and assessment
• Extensive experience with federally funded projects, including project ideation, grant writing, project leadership, management
• Experience being a collaborative and effective working member of a research team
• Experience building and maintaining relationships and effective communication with internal and external partners, and advocating for the mission and work of an organization
• Evidence of understanding of the scholarly literature around supporting undergraduate students in research
• Experience mentoring students and faculty/staff
• Excellent oral, written, and listening communication skills

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge/understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the higher education system related to equitable engagement of undergraduate students in research and creative activities
• Experience providing professional development to undergraduate research mentors
• Experience with a variety of types of extramurally funded projects including those funded by state agencies and/or foundations
• Experience as a STEM faculty member
• Knowledge of the unique challenges and ability to practice within a STEM discipline
• Faculty development and mentoring experience

Bachelor's Degree with 8 years of experience or Terminal degree with 6 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a STEM discipline from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Six years of experience working in higher education or supporting higher education faculty and administrators with in-depth knowledge of faculty responsibilities and career progression and the lived experience of people in faculty positions.
• Four years of each of the following:
  • Faculty appointment at a regionally accredited college or university
  • Experience in STEM-focused higher education and research
  • Supervisory experience supporting the growth and development of staff
  • Administrative experience, including budgeting, hiring and reporting
  • Experience advocating for and supporting scholars at a variety of levels (from 1st year undergraduate through senior faculty)

$92,289.60–120,000.00 annually, depending on qualifications. Boise State University is committed to offering a benefits package that provides health and financial protection plans as well as resources to promote health and well-being. Our program provides flexibility so you can choose the benefits that are right for you and your family. Learn more about our benefit options at https://www.boisestate.edu/hrs/benefits/.

• Cover Letter that provides an overview of why you are interested in this position and what qualifications you have that respond to this job description;
• CV that includes details of your academic and experience-based credentials;
• A statement that describes your approach or philosophy for supporting, mentoring, and developing both peer and student scholars;
• Names, contact information, and relationship to the applicant of three professional references.

AI Statement: The search committee prefers that applicants rely on their own skills and experiences to craft application materials. However, if generative AI tools (such as Bard or ChatGPT) are used to craft application materials in any way, we ask that applicants provide a brief statement explaining how and why these tools were used.

Closing Date: The search will remain open until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on September 29, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.