The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovation, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Senior Faculty Development Specialist is responsible for the creation and delivery of campus and university-level faculty development for all instructional staff and programs in specialized areas related to teaching and learning in the health sciences. The Sr. Faculty Development Specialist models technology and innovation leadership, health sciences teaching excellence, and professionalism and works within a highly collaborative academic support division.
S/he is involved in all aspects of faculty training, development, and support and works within the Institute for Learning, Innovation, and Faculty Excellence (iLIFE). The Sr. Faculty Development Specialist will have a record of academic success and specialization in one or more of the following areas: 1) teaching excellence, with a focus on blended learning design and interprofessional education in the health sciences; 2) teaching innovations such as simulation, and interactive technologies; and 3) course and curriculum design and assessment.
This position will create and deliver innovative faculty development programs and curriculum in his or her specialized area and contribute to the University’s mission of teaching and learning excellence through collaboration, mentoring, and collegial leadership. The Sr. Faculty Development Specialist will work across the University to lead projects and teams in the development and facilitation of opportunities to support faculty in teaching and learning best practices, research and scholarship, innovative initiatives, and service.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under the auspices of the iLIFE, develop and deliver multi-modal programming, mentoring, and support to faculty in the assigned specialization area.
- Provide hands-on, proactive faculty support, such as troubleshooting, assistance, and consultation in course management technical functions.
- Participate on course development teams to ensure that best practices, appropriate technologies, and teaching effectiveness strategies are integrated into the learning experience.
- Form dynamic communities of practice with faculty around assigned area of specialization and inspire and guide innovative teaching excellence initiatives.
- Provide proactive, hands-on consultative support with various technologies and systems used for virtual instruction, which can include the learning management system, video, testing, simulation technologies, etc.
- Collaborate with campus and program leadership to evaluate additional development opportunities that advance the effectiveness and professional development of faculty as teachers.
- Coordinate and deliver new faculty onboarding programs and collaborate closely with Human Resources and academic departments to ensure that faculty are oriented to the USAHS teaching and learning model.
- Develop and oversee mentoring programs for new faculty.
- Work with academic departments to provide faculty support, development, and training to support research activities, with emphasis on research related to teaching innovation.
- Maintain accurate records of faculty development activities and attendance.
- Maintain knowledge of current trends in the assigned specialization area; research new technologies and pedagogical methods and disseminate to faculty.
- Participate in University committees and activities as assigned.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- May perform other duties and responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.
- May require periodic travel.
POSITION IN ORGANIZATION
REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Faculty Development
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None
TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, & PEOPLE SKILLS REQUIRED
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on performance of each essential function. Appropriate reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree (doctorate preferred) in Allied Health, Health Sciences, or closely related degree.
- At least 5 years of higher education instructional experience, preferably at the graduate level in a health science setting, with a demonstrated record of success teaching in online and blended modalities.
- Demonstrated technical skills related to online teaching including expertise or advanced experiences in:
- Learning Management Systems (Blackboard preferred)
- Media Development and Deployment (Kaltura, Panopto, or equivalent)
- Synchronous Meeting Software (Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, or equivalent)
- Instructional Programs (GoReact, VoiceThread, or equivalent)
- Office 365 components (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, etc)
- Knowledge of and preferably experience in innovative educational practices within health sciences (simulation education, interprofessional education, clinical approaches, etc.).
- At least 3 years of past faculty development experience in a health science setting (commensurate with management and/or trainer experience would be considered).
- Experience with delivering training/instruction in a variety of formats (face-to-face, online, synchronous-remotely).
BUSINESS COMPETENCIES
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Adaptable – Willingly adapts to constantly changing circumstances while maintaining focus and perspective.
- Collaboration - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Committed to Mission and Values - Has a clear understanding of institution’s mission and values. Has a passion for facilitating learning and for enabling students to navigate their own learning journey.
- Communication – Articulating information using excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
- Detail Oriented – Producing quality products using systematic instructional design, precision and attention to detail.
- Education Design - Designs learning experiences closely linked to learning outcomes including lesson planning, design of project, work integrated, group learning experiences, or interactive learning objects. Has depth of expertise in pedagogy, andragogy and overall learning effectiveness.
- Innovation - Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
- Instill Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
- Resilience - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
- Result Driven - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances, utilizing critical thinking, analysis and synthesis skills.
- Teaching Delivery/Learning Facilitation Skills - Manages small, large, blended, hybrid and/or online classrooms, monitoring and ensuring participation, managing one’s own and students' time and attention effectively.
- Time and Project Management – Managing time efficiently through the use of thorough planning, organization and self-management. Must be able to manage multiple projects at different stages, while meeting deadlines and quality standards.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment but may involve exposure to moderate noise levels. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for six to eight hours daily and includes physical demands associated with a traditional office setting, e.g., walking, standing, communicating, and other physical functions as necessary.
