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Faculty, Assistant or Associate Professor - Public Policy

Utah Valley University

  • Orem, UT
  • 9 days ago

    Highlights

    The History and Political Science Department (HPS) at Utah Valley University (UVU), housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in Public Policy. UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family's overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationOrem, UT
    IndustryEducation
    Company Size1,500 to 1,999 employees
    Year Founded1941
    Websitehttp://www.uvu.edu/

    Description

    Faculty, Assistant or Associate Professor - Public Policy

    Salary

    Depends on Qualifications

    Location

    Main Campus - Orem

    Job Type

    FT Faculty

    Job Number

    FY2706663

    Division

    VP Academic Affairs

    Department

    College of Humanities/Social Scienc

    Opening Date

    10/27/2026

    Closing Date

    11/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

    Required Documents Needed to Apply

    Cover Letter

    Curriculum Vitae

    Teaching Philosophy

    Optional Documents

    Research Statement

    Course Syllabus/Outline

    Other

    Applicant Support

    1-855-524-5627

    Support@schooljobs.com

    • Description
    • Benefits
    • Questions

    Position Announcement

    The History and Political Science Department (HPS) at Utah Valley University (UVU), housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in Public Policy. The standard teaching load for tenure-track faculty at UVU is four courses per semester. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty to develop and establish curriculum, activities, processes, and resources that support students' development of public policy knowledge, skills, and values. The successful candidate will teach lower-division courses as needed by the department and upper-division courses in Public Policy or Public Administration, with a preference for those candidates who can teach our Policy Analysis course. The policy specialty is open, but expertise in areas such as environmental, housing, energy, or transportation policy is desired. The candidate may have the option to teach in the online Master of Public Administration program within the College of Health and Public Service (CHPS).

    UVU offers extensive resources and workshops to expand and enhance teaching abilities. The successful candidate is expected to use pedagogical methods that emphasize student engagement, identify measurable course objectives, and evaluate learning using methods appropriate to the discipline. The successful candidate will have opportunities to partner with various campus institutes (including, but not limited to, the Gary R. Herbert Institute of Public Policy). UVU values diverse perspectives and seeks to provide a respectful, safe atmosphere in our program.

    HPS at UVU currently serves nearly 300 Political Science majors and teaches thousands through required general education courses. Our approach to education is student-centered and demands a high level of faculty-student engagement, with substantial institutional support for engaging students in faculty research. CHSS and the institution support a strong work-life balance.

    UVU, the states largest public university, sits at the base of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range amid a spectacular landscape in Orem, Utah. Its main campus is just minutes from Provo

    Canyon and Sundance Ski Resort, and a short drive from Salt Lake City.

    Summary of Responsibilities

    • Teach lower- and upper-division political science and public policy courses using effective instructional practices that promote student learning and achievement.
    • Develop and deliver courses in face-to-face, hybrid, online, and large-enrollment formats as needed by the department.
    • Design course materials, learning activities, and assessments that support measurable learning outcomes and student engagement.
    • Employ a variety of instructional strategies to encourage active participation, critical thinking, and academic success.
    • Communicate regularly with students regarding course expectations, progress, and academic support resources.
    • Develop, revise, and maintain course curriculum to ensure alignment with departmental and university objectives.
    • Teach and adapt course content using a variety of pedagogical approaches appropriate to political science and public policy disciplines.
    • Conduct scholarly research and disseminate findings through publications, presentations, and other professional activities.
    • Mentor and supervise undergraduate students engaged in research, scholarly projects, and experiential learning opportunities.
    • Contribute to initiatives associated with the Autism Center, including work related to autism policy, advocacy, or related public policy issues.
    • Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities, including committee assignments and program development.
    • Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain disciplinary expertise and enhance teaching effectiveness.
    • Foster a learning environment that supports student success and promotes respectful engagement among individuals with varied experiences, perspectives, and educational backgrounds.

    Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

    • Graduation from a regionally accredited university with an earned doctoral degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or Public Policy.

    • Candidates who are ABD will be considered if they complete the doctorate (dissertation defended and accepted by the graduating institution) by June 30, 2027.

    • Evidence of college-level teaching (including the role of TA).

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Previous teaching experience at the college level in one or more of the following areas: Public Policy or Public Administration.

    • Demonstrate the ability to teach a course on Policy Analysis.

    • Demonstrate the ability to teach in policy areas such as environmental, housing, transportation, and energy policy.

    • Frequent and consistent engagement in professional development activities (including, but not limited to, teaching, research, methods, and leadership).

    • Demonstrate the ability to mentor and conduct research with undergraduate students.

    • Ability to teach online courses.

    Required Application Materials:

    • Cover Letter
    • CV
    • Teaching Philosophy

    Optional Application Materials:

    • Sample Syllabi
    • Teaching Evaluations
    • Research Statement

    Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

    • Ability to effectively teach by implementing appropriate pedagogy, clear presentation and preparation, and maintaining a student-centered approach to education.
    • Ability and willingness to teach face-to-face, hybrid, online, and large classes (60+).
    • Knowledge of and demonstrated use of engaged teaching techniques.
    • Skilled in effective oral and written communication, including the ability to communicate to different audiences.
    • Knowledge of and openness to multiple approaches to teaching political science.
    • Ability to remain familiar with and contribute to advancing current scholarship in political science and communicate scholarly work through presentations and publications.
    • Ability to include undergraduate researchers in scholarly activities and supervise student-driven research.
    • Demonstrable teaching experience in an environment that features a student body with different abilities and educational backgrounds.

    EEO Statement:

    UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

    Utah Valley University's dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

    UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family's overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

    Highlights from Utah Valley University's benefits package include:

    • Medical network and plan options with low employee premiums
    • Employer HSA contribution for those that elect the university's High-Deductible Health Plan
    • Other tax advantage, reimbursement account options (i.e. Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care)
    • Dental and vision plan options
    • Incentivized wellness program
    • Employer paid basic life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan with an employer contribution of 14.2% based on employee's compensation (100% vested on first day of full-time employment)
    • Undergraduate tuition remission benefit waiving up to 18 credit hours (each semester) for employees and their eligible dependents (spouses & children dependents unmarried and up to age 26)
    • Generous leave package which includes sick, vacation (staff only), and personal leave; 13 paid holidays; paid medical maternity and parental leave

    For more information about the benefits offered, visit https://www.uvu.edu/peopleandculture/benefits.

    01

    Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position as outlined? • Graduation from a regionally accredited university with an earned doctoral degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or Public Policy. • Candidates who are ABD will be considered if they complete the doctorate (dissertation defended and accepted by the graduating institution) by June 30, 2027. • Evidence of college-level teaching (including the role of TA).

    • Yes
    • No

    02

    What is your highest level of education?

    • High School or equivalent
    • Associates
    • Bachelors
    • Masters
    • Ph.D.
    • Ph.D. (abd)
    • Juris Doctorate

    03

    How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

    • <1
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6
    • 7
    • 8+

    04

    How would you describe your experience evaluating student learning outcomes?

    • Limited or no experience
    • Some experience using established assessments
    • Regularly assess learning outcomes and adjust instruction
    • Extensive experience developing assessment strategies and measuring outcomes

    05

    Which public policy areas align most closely with your expertise? (Select all that apply.)

    • Environmental Policy
    • Housing Policy
    • Energy Policy
    • Transportation Policy
    • Health Policy
    • Education Policy
    • Disability Policy
    • Other

    06

    Please indicate your level of experience developing new curriculum or academic programs.

    • No experience
    • Assisted with curriculum development
    • Independently developed individual courses
    • Led the development of multiple courses or a program
    • Extensive experience developing and assessing curricula

    07

    Which of the following areas best describe your teaching experience? (Select all that apply.)

    • Lower-division undergraduate courses
    • Upper-division undergraduate courses
    • Graduate courses
    • Online courses
    • Hybrid courses
    • None of the above

    Required Question

    Employer Utah Valley University

    Address 800 W. University Parkway

    Orem, Utah, 84058

    Phone Applicant Support 855-524-5627

    Website http://www.uvu.edu

    About Company

    Utah Valley University was established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School (CUVS) with the primary function of providing war production training. CUVS was part of the Provo School District located in south Provo. The institution received a state appropriation in March 1945 of $50,000 to operate for the 1945-1947 biennium. In 1947, the school received funding as a permanent state institution. A new site for the school was acquired on University Avenue in Provo in 1948; in the 1952, the state appropriated funding for the first construction on that site. As enrollments grew, the state acquired over 185 acres in southwest Orem and the first building was completed in 1977. Today, the University’s facilities consist of a combined total of 412 acres with 50 buildings with campuses in Orem, Provo, and Heber City and property in Vineyard and at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.

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