Assistant Dean for the Part-Time J.D. Program and Lecturer (00005020)

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title Assistant Dean for the Part-Time J.D. Program and Lecturer (00005020) Classification Dean, Assistant Position Number 00005020 Open Date 08/07/2026 Close Date Priority Review Date 08/28/2026 Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Exempt Job code 1300 Union Representation Non-Union Union Code N/A Unit/Department College of Law College/Unit College of Law Dean Division Academic Division Location NAPERVILLE Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page College of Law

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The Northern Illinois University College of Law ("NIU Law") invites applications for the position of Assistant Dean for the Part-Time J.D. Program, which will be based at the NIU Naperville campus. This is a full-time, twelve-month position with a preferred start date in early January 2027.

The Assistant Dean for the Part-Time J.D. Program will serve as the on-site administrative leader of the College of Law's new evening Part-Time J.D. program (PTJD Program) at the Naperville campus. This is a unique opportunity to help build a new legal education program from the ground up in one of the most dynamic legal markets in the Chicago suburbs. Initially, the position will report to the Associate Dean for the Part-Time J.D. Program. As the program develops, it is anticipated the Assistant Dean will report to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, both of whom are located at the law school's full-time campus in DeKalb. The Assistant Dean will also work with the Dean of the College of Law and the faculty in the development and enhancements to the PTJD Program.

About NIU Law

As the oldest public law school in northern Illinois, NIU Law has been named a top law school nationally for diversity, value, and careers in public interest/government service. NIU Law provides unique opportunities for its students, beginning with its highly accomplished faculty who are personally invested in the success of every student throughout their professional lives. Although many alumni serve as public interest attorneys, prosecutors, defenders, elected officials, and judges, they are equally prepared for careers as solo practitioners or lawyers in multinational firms. NIU Law is at the heart of a diverse and active university campus of over 16,000 students in DeKalb, Illinois, located near the western suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area.

About the NIU Law Part-Time J.D. Program

NIU Law's new Part-Time J.D. Program (PTJD) will welcome its first class in Fall 2027. The Program is designed for working professionals, career changers, and community-rooted individuals who are ready to earn a rigorous, ABA accredited law degree without putting their lives on hold. Students in the Naperville PT JD Program earn the same J.D. degree as students in NIU Law's full-time program over four years.

Position Summary

This position is located at NIU Law's new Naperville campus. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the right candidate to play a foundational role in growing a new legal program that will expand access to legal education for working professionals in the western suburbs of Chicago.

The position has both administrative responsibilities and teaching responsibilities.

Administrative Responsibilities

The Assistant Dean will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the PTJD Program at the Naperville campus. This includes overseeing building operations, classroom scheduling, facility management, and serving as the liaison between the administration at the Naperville campus and the administration at the DeKalb campus. In coordination with the Associate Dean for the PTJD Program, the Assistant Dean will coordinate and oversee all aspects of the PTJD Program's on-site needs, which may include scheduling co-curricular activities and events for students. Under the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs' direction and approval, the Assistant Dean will identify, recruit, and hire adjunct professors to teach in the PTJD Program and will be responsible for ensuring that the adjunct faculty roster meets the curricular needs of the program each semester. The Assistant Dean will also assist the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs with the evaluation and mentoring of adjunct faculty.

Because the PTJD Program holds classes in the evening, the Assistant Dean must be available and present at the Naperville campus at least two evenings per week during class instruction. Occasional weekend presence may also be required depending on programming and student needs. Flexibility in scheduling is essential.

Teaching Responsibilities and Schedule

The position requires teaching at least one course per term (fall, spring and summer), which may be a doctrinal course or a skills-related course, such as legal writing or a legal clinic. The Assistant Dean will also be the faculty of record for the Introduction to the Legal Profession course (a half-credit course held during the first year of the PTJD curriculum) and will organize the content and guest speakers for the course. The Assistant Dean will engage in outreach to the local bench, bar, and corporate community in Naperville and the surrounding suburbs to build and strengthen partnerships that support the law school's mission, its students, and the program's long-term growth.

The PTJD Program's class schedule is built around its students' professional lives. Class formats include:

• In-person instruction on weekday evenings between 5:00 - 10:00 pm
• Occasional Saturdays for specialized courses
• Synchronous and Asynchronous online courses
• Fall, Spring and Summer Terms

Distance Education and Technology

Candidates should have a demonstrated experience with or express a willingness to master synchronous and asynchronous online legal instruction. The candidate should also have a commitment to staying current on distance education best practices and emerging instructional technologies.

Preferred candidates will have either a demonstrated capacity for or expressed willingness to master the following:

• Synchronous online instruction (live virtual class sessions)
• Asynchronous course design and delivery (recorded lectures, discussion boards, online assessments)
• Learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard or its equivalent)
• Hybrid course modalities that blend in-person and online learning
• Ongoing professional development in distance legal education

The ability and willingness to remain proficient and up to date on best practices in distance education is an ongoing expectation of this position, not merely a hiring preference.

Two Campuses, One Law School

Although the PTJD Program will be located in Naperville, it will operate as one law school along with NIU Law's DeKalb campus.

Faculty at the PTJD Program are full members of the NIU Law community and will have service commitments that integrate with faculty in DeKalb. Travel to DeKalb for some service commitments, such as attending faculty meetings, is required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Administration and Faculty Management

• Identify, recruit, hire, and supervise adjunct faculty to meet the program's curricular needs each semester under the direction and approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Collaborate with Associate Deans in DeKalb on academic affairs, student services, and programmatic planning
• Teach at least one course per term (including a doctrinal or skills course) and serve as the faculty of record and coordinator for the Introduction to the Legal Profession course
• Serve as the on-site administrative leader for the Part-Time J.D. program at the NIU Naperville campus
• Oversee day-to-day campus operations, including classroom scheduling, building operations, and facility management
• Coordinate and manage all on-site programmatic needs, including co-curricular activities and student events
• Maintain regular evening availability on campus at least two evenings per week; occasional weekend availability as needed
• Support student success by maintaining an active pulse on student well-being and program climate
• Provide advising, mentorship, and guidance to students
• Refer concerns to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or other university resources as needed
• Assist in the ongoing evaluation and improvement of the Part-Time J.D. program
• Develop and maintain relationships with the local bench, bar, and corporate community to support student development and program growth

Teaching

• Teach one doctrinal or skills course per term
• Serve as the professor of record for the Introduction to the Legal Profession course

Service

• Law School and University Service

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

n/a

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

n/a

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

n/a

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school (or a law school program deemed substantively equivalent to an ABA-approved J.D. program for purposes of taking a U.S. State bar examination)
• At least 2 years of legal practice or law teaching experience

Additional Requirements (SPS)

• Ability to engage in high-quality in-person, online synchronous, and online asynchronous teaching in evening and weekend formats
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, community engagement, and collaborative leadership
• Ability to be an active participant in law school and university service
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to teach across multiple doctrinal areas
• Willingness to travel to DeKalb for service commitments, such as attending faculty meetings in-person

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

• 3-5 years' experience in legal practice or law teaching
• Experience in law school administration or legal education consulting
• Established ties to the Naperville legal or corporate communities

Physical demands/requirements

• For physical demands and requirements please see human resources policies and protocols.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date January 01, 2027 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 0.83 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours Monday through Friday with evenings as needed and occasional Saturdays Salary Commensurate with experience and qualifications, starting at $100,000; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range Commensurate with experience and qualifications, starting at $100,000; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Earn Type Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

To be officially considered, applicants must visit Assistant Dean for the Part-Time J.D. Program and Lecturer to create an application profile and submit the following materials by August 28, 2026:

• Cover letter
• Résumé or C.V.
• Names and contact information of three current professional references
• Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application; official copies required to confirm appointment)

Preference will be given to applications received by August 28, 2026, though applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For questions or to express interest, please contact Associate Dean & Professor of Law Stephen R. Miller at millers@niu.edu.

Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/94762 Is Background Check Required? Yes EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services Building Room 230

TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu

815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu.

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.

Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• List of at least 3 Professional References
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).