Assistant Professor of Public Administration - Local Government Management (29437)

Position Details

Position Information

Working Position Title Assistant Professor of Public Administration - Local Government Management (29437) Classification Title Assistant Professor Position Number 00029437 Posting Date 10/08/2026 Closing Date Priority Review Date 11/16/2026 Business Unit Description Faculty Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Exempt Job Code 2000 Union Representation Union Union Code UFA - United Faculty Alliance Unit/Department Public Administration College/Unit College of LA&S Dean Division Academic Division Location IA 215 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page Department of Public Administration

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The Department of Public Administration in Northern Illinois University's School of Public and Global Affairs invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 16, 2027.

The department prepares students for public service through its nationally recognized, NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration program, the online Bachelor of Science in Public Service Leadership program, and graduate certificates, including the Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management. The department has longstanding relationships with local governments and public-service organizations in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, the Midwest, and nationally.

We seek a colleague whose teaching and scholarship will strengthen the department's established areas of distinction in local government management and public budgeting and financial management. The successful candidate will contribute to graduate and undergraduate instruction, maintain an active program of scholarly research, advise and mentor students, and participate meaningfully in service and professionally engaged activities consistent with the department's public-service mission.

Northern Illinois University is a comprehensive research university serving approximately 16,000 students and offering programs from the baccalaureate through doctoral levels. The university's main campus is located in DeKalb, Illinois, approximately 65 miles west of Chicago, with additional education centers in Naperville and Rockford. The region offers a blend of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities with convenient access to the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will develop and sustain a program of high-quality scholarly research in local government management, local governance, public budgeting and financial management, or closely related areas. The candidate will teach graduate and undergraduate courses in the department's programs, with particular responsibility for courses in local government management and the ability to contribute to public budgeting or public financial management.

Teaching assignments may include in-person, hybrid, and online courses. The successful candidate will also advise and mentor students; contribute to departmental, school, college, university, and professional service; support program assessment and accreditation activities; and develop productive relationships with public-service organizations and professional associations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an active scholarly research agenda leading to peer-reviewed publications and other appropriate forms of scholarly dissemination in local government management, public budgeting, public finance, or a related area, broadly conceived.
• Pursue external funding, contracts, collaborative research, or other forms of professional engagement as appropriate to the candidate's research agenda and consistent with departmental standards.
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in public administration, public management, and public service.
• Contribute to instruction in local government management, public budgeting, public finance, and related areas.
• Deliver effective instruction in the formats and at the locations needed by the department, which may include in-person, hybrid, online asynchronous, and online synchronous instruction.
• Advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students, including students preparing for careers in public and nonprofit service.
• Build and sustain relationships with local governments, professional associations, other public-service organizations, and alumni.
• Participate in department, school, college, university, and professional service.
• Contribute to curriculum development, student learning assessment, and activities supporting NASPAA accreditation and continuous program improvement.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Planning, Political Science, or a closely related field by the date of appointment.
• A substantive research specialization in local government management, public budgeting, public finance, or a related area, broadly conceived.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, a sustained program of peer-reviewed scholarly research.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, an ability to teach at a university level in public administration.
• Evidence of, or strong potential to develop, an ability to contribute to both graduate and undergraduate education.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to teach effectively in-person and online courses as assigned.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work constructively and collegially with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and public-service partners.
• Ability to advise and mentor students from a range of educational, professional, and personal backgrounds.
• Commitment to professional ethics, academic integrity, NIU's public-service mission, and the Department's mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• A consistent record of scholarly research, conference presentations, and publications addressing local government management, public budgeting, public finance, or a related area, broadly conceived.
• Experience teaching courses in local government management, public budgeting, public finance, or related areas, in a supportive and/or primary instructional capacity.
• Experience teaching working professionals and adult learners.
• Experience developing and/or delivering high-quality online instruction.
• Professional experience in, or a record of collaboration with, local governments, local government associations, or other public-service organizations.
• Evidence of the ability to develop applied research supported by grants and contracts.
• Ability to contribute to complementary departmental strengths in sustainability policy and management, nonprofit management, strategic public management and leadership, and/or emergency management and public safety.
• Engagement with relevant professional or scholarly associations.

Physical Demands Summary

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

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 08/16/2027 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 0.75 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Salary Starting at $75,000. Faculty compensation is governed by the UFA CBA. NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range Starting at $4,166.67 per pay period. Faculty compensation is governed by the UFA CBA. NIU offers a robust benefits package. Earn Type Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should visit Assistant Professor of Public Administration - Local Government Management to create an application profile and submit the following materials by November 16, 2026:

• Cover letter describing the applicant's qualifications for the position and interest in NIU's Department of Public Administration
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of research agenda and plans for future scholarship
• Statement of teaching philosophy and experience, including experience or interest in graduate, undergraduate, online, hybrid, and professionally oriented instruction
• One representative scholarly writing sample
• Unofficial graduate transcripts. Official transcripts will be required upon appointment
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Letters of recommendation may be requested later in the search process.

For full consideration, completed applications must be received by November 16, 2026.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/97675 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:

Director of Civil Rights Office, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services 2nd floor

CivilRights@niu.edu

815-753-0455

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
• Statement of Research Vision
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Writing Sample
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
• List of at least 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).