Chair, Department of Civil Engineering

Job no: 499619
Work type: Faculty
Location: Boise, ID
Categories: College of Engineering

Position overview:

Boise State University invites applications for a Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering to lead the development and implementation of a clear, forward-looking strategic vision and drive excellence in a college defined by innovation and growth potential, located in a thriving metropolitan region. This is an opportunity for a collaborative and accountable academic leader to guide a department during a period of growth in research activity, programs, and student demand. The Chair will play a central role in shaping the department's future, building a strong and cohesive academic community while expanding its impact in research, education, and external partnerships. This role requires a leader who can advance strategic priorities while strengthening alignment, culture, and trust to support a high-performing and cohesive academic community.

The department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Civil Engineering program with emphasis areas including environmental, structural, geotechnical, transportation, and water resources engineering, along with a growing M.S. program. Department faculty advise students in the interdisciplinary and collaborative Ph.D. in Engineering and Ph.D. in Computing programs.

The Chair provides administrative and academic leadership for the department and reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering. In collaboration with the faculty, the Chair will develop and implement the department's strategic vision, hire and mentor faculty in their professional growth, and steward resources and partnerships to support program excellence, accountability, and a culture of trust and innovation to ensure long-term impact.

The Chair is expected to:

• Make timely, well-reasoned decisions and communicate them transparently
• Address conflict directly and constructively to strengthen alignment and support a cohesive, high-functioning department.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and follow-through that enables collective success.

The Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering is expected to provide transformative leadership across the following key areas:

• Strategic Vision and Growth: Lead the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan that defines the department's identity, drives innovation in civil engineering education, and anticipates emerging industry trends, while ensuring alignment and accountability across the department.
• Faculty Mentorship and Excellence: Foster a high-achieving, collegial, and accountable academic culture by leading the recruitment of world-class faculty and actively supporting their professional growth through the promotion and tenure process, including providing clear expectations, actionable feedback, and consistent follow-through in faculty development and evaluation.
• Research Innovation: Drive the expansion of the department's research footprint by identifying interdisciplinary opportunities, supporting large-scale grant pursuits, and enhancing the visibility of departmental scholarship, while aligning research growth with departmental priorities and strengths.
• Teaching Excellence: Provide leadership that promotes excellence in teaching and fosters a culture of high-quality, student-centered learning across the department.
• Curriculum Evolution and Accreditation: Lead the continuous modernization of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the integration of emerging areas, while ensuring continuous ABET accreditation.
• Resource Stewardship: Develop and manage the department's budget with transparency, clear prioritization, and alignment to strategic goals.
• External Advocacy and Partnerships: Serve as a compelling ambassador for the department, cultivating robust relationships with alumni, industry leaders, and government agencies to enhance philanthropic support and professional opportunities for students.
• Shared Governance: Lead within a shared governance model by fostering transparency and collaboration while maintaining clear decision-making authority and accountability.
• Departmental Culture and Cohesion: Cultivate a collegial and collaborative department culture by proactively addressing challenges and conflict, supporting open communication, and reinforcing shared expectations, accountability, and a strong sense of collective purpose.

The Chair is appointed to a three-year term, subject to annual faculty contract renewal in accordance with university policy. The Chair appointment is renewable, contingent upon performance, departmental needs, and approval by the Dean and Provost. The College seeks a candidate who is prepared to provide sustained, stable leadership and is interested in serving multiple terms to ensure long-range goals are fully realized.

Department overview:

The Department of Civil Engineering at Boise State University is a community of innovative educators, scholars, and students dedicated to designing the sustainable and resilient systems of tomorrow.

• Dynamic Growth: With a thriving population of approximately 270 undergraduate and 25 graduate students, we are committed to providing inclusive, hands-on educational experiences that prepare the next generation of infrastructure leaders.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Our ten core faculty members lead high-impact research across engineered and natural systems. We leverage two robust, interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs, Engineering and Computing, to attract top-tier doctoral talent and push the boundaries of technical innovation.
• Regional Context and Impact: Located in Boise, one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, the department is well-positioned to engage with complex infrastructure and environmental challenges. Faculty and students benefit from strong connections to regional industry, government, and community partners, creating meaningful opportunities for applied research, student learning, and real-world impact. We pride ourselves on a culture of shared governance and collaboration, offering a new Chair the opportunity to help shape the department's continued growth and impact.

Minimum qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related field
• Eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, and must meet the institution's standards for tenure at the time of hire.
• Clearly demonstrated record of academic leadership experience relevant to the position of department chair
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship and teaching
• Demonstrated ability to make complex decisions and manage conflict in academic or organizational settings

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience leading departments or programs through growth or strategic repositioning
• Experience with faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure, and shared academic governance
• Familiarity with ABET accreditation
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, including evidence of transparent communication and consistent follow-through, and to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and lead with fairness and integrity
• Experience with multi-year strategic planning and implementation
• Record of building research capacity and supporting faculty development
• Experience strengthening industry and community partnerships
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure, or ability to obtain licensure
• Proven track record of securing peer-reviewed external funding, philanthropic gifts, industrial sponsorships, and/or large-scale center grants.
• Experience fostering interdisciplinary research and education in cross-cutting areas
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, growth, and/or realignment
• Experience balancing collaboration with accountability

Required application materials:

• Cover letter
• Resume or CV
• Leadership statement
• Teaching statement
• Research statement

Closing Date:

Position will remain open until filled, with review to begin on August 17th, 2026.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Amit Jain at [email protected] or Rhonda Magill (department recruitment coordinator) at [email protected].

Salary and Benefits:

The anticipated academic-year salary begins at approximately $105,000 for candidates appointed at the Associate Professor rank and $112,000 for candidates appointed at the Full Professor rank. Final salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. An additional stipend is provided for service as Department Chair. Relocation assistance and other compensation considerations may be available consistent with university policy.

Our standard faculty contract is a 9-month contract (unless otherwise noted) with pay and benefits spread over 12 months. The appointment as department chair includes a guaranteed additional summer month of salary as well as a modest academic year stipend. This is a yearly, renewable contract, unless noted that the position is temporary. More information about faculty contracts and work days is available here.

Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• Dual Career Assistance Support for spouses and partners.
• See our full benefits page for more information

Advertised: June 4, 2026 Mountain Daylight Time
Applications close:

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