Chair & Associate Professor/Professor; School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science

“On the Big Blackfoot River above the mouth of Belmont Creek the banks are fringed by large Ponderosa pines. In the slanting sun of late afternoon the shadows of great branches reached from across the river, and the trees took the river in their arms.”

                                --Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It

Located in Missoula, Montana, The University of Montana School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science (UMPT) is seeking a leader to serve as the School's Chair for its Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This is a 10-month, tenure-track faculty position. The School houses an onsite Physical Therapy Clinic and active, extramurally-funded research programs that includes the Movement Science Laboratory, the Community Ambulation, Mobility and Participation (CAMP) Laboratory, and the Design-Physio Laboratory.

Our Doctorate Program in Physical Therapy is a fully CAPTE-accredited 2.75-year entry-level program with 36 students per class. It is the only Physical Therapy Program in the state and has been CAPTE-accredited for over 40 years. The Program is comprised of 12 full-time faculty and an established adjunct faculty. The environment at UMPT supports and fosters pedagogical excellence and high-quality research by all faculty members. UMPT sits within the University of Montana College of Health, which also includes the Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana and the following Schools: Public Health; Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training (IPAT); Social Work; Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Science; Pharmacy. A PhD program in Integrative Physiology and Rehabilitation Sciences is available via collaborations with IPAT.

UMPT currently has a dual leadership model consisting of a Chair and a Program Director. The School Chair is responsible for communication, strategic planning, fiscal management and planning, faculty and staff development and evaluation. The Chair is also responsible for administration of didactic programs, research, and faculty workloads. Our Program Director manages curricular and CAPTE accreditation needs and clinical practice programs. Expectations of the Chair position include teaching, scholarship, and service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD, EdD, ScD, DSc)
• Experience in teaching, research, and clinical practice
• Academic credentials consistent with the rank of associate professor with tenure
• Effective communication and collaborative skills
• Must hold a current physical therapy license and be eligible for physical therapy licensure in Montana
• Administrative and leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of recruiting and retaining diverse and accomplished faculty, staff, and students
• Proven ability to provide leadership in an academic setting, including strong communication skills, personnel management, cross-campus collaborations, and program development
• Record of fostering an inclusive and collaborative team
• Experience obtaining and administering extramural research funding
• Ability to provide mentorship of junior faculty
• Vision for future and evolving needs of physical therapy education

Position Details

Salary and benefits are competitive. Rank, salary, and tenure status is commensurate with the applicant's qualifications and experience.

About UM and Missoula

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 500 full-time faculty members. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 70,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. National publications recognize Missoula for its excellent quality of life. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

The University of Montana is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer with an eye on creating success for every employee by appreciating the uniqueness that each person brings to the workplace. UM strongly encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. This position is eligible for disability and veterans' preferences in accordance with Montana State Law.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
  • University Highlights
• City of Missoula
  • Destination Missoula
  • Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
• State of Montana
  • Visit Montana

For more information contact:

Andrew Kittelson, PT, PhD

Search Committee Chair

Email: andy.kittelson@mso.umt.edu

School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science

University of Montana

Missoula, MT 59812

(406) 243-2429- office

406.243.2795 - fax

How to Apply

Applications are still being accepted and are encouraged.  Review has begun and will continue until the position is filled

Required Application Materials

• Letter of interest: Include a cover letter describing qualifications and match to the job description.
• Curriculum vitae: List your education, research accomplishments, and work experience.
• Research statement: Describe your research plans for the near future if you were to join UMPT as a tenure-track faculty member.
• Leadership statement: Summarize your philosophy and experience in leadership, administration, education, and mentorship.
• Professional references: Provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference - Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References - *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing - Individual hiring departments at UM-M may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility - All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).