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Form of workAbout Westfield State University:
In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.
Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.
Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member
You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.
Our Values
Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.
- Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
- Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
- Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
- Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
- Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
- Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.
Job Description:
Campus Title: Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director-Assistant/Assoc. Professor
State Job Title: Assistant/Associate Professor
Department: Health Sciences
Job Code: HA3200/HA3100
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: TBD
Bargaining Unit: MSCA
Job Type: Full Time Tenure Track
Timeframe: Academic Calendar
Shift: TBD
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Supervision Received: Reports Directly to the Department Chair
Supervision Exercised: Oversight of Occupational Therapy Assistant Faculty and Staff Potential Level I and/or Level II Fieldwork Students
Salary: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 (salary commensurate with education and experience)
General Statement of Duties: Westfield State University is seeking a Founding Program Director for the developing Occupational Therapy Assistant - Bachelor's Program. The Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Concentration will oversee all aspects of the OTA program. The position is responsible for the management and administration of the OTA program including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, maintenance of accreditation, and commitment to strategies for professional development. The Program Director will maintain an annual teaching load of 24 credits within the health science major and OTA concentration which allows for release time to manage PD responsibilities. In addition, faculty are expected to engage students in learning opportunities, collaborate with the department for curriculum review and update, engage in professional development and scholarship, as well as participate in department and institutional meetings/committees.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:
- Manage the OTA Concentration, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, and maintenance of accreditation
- Demonstrate a commitment to strategies for professional development and scholarship
- Teach 12 credits each semester; courses assigned based on candidate experience and departmental needs with course release for director responsibilities
- Advise students in academic, fieldwork, and professional issues
- Provide mentorship to OTA student baccalaureate projects as appropriate based on professional expertise and experience
- Collaborate with the University admissions office to support program enrollment
- Work collaboratively with department faculty for program assessment, student learning outcomes, curriculum development and evaluation, student recruitment and retention, and other departmental requirements
- Work collaboratively with faculty to ensure program meets accreditation standards
- Engage in process of formative and summative course evaluation to enhance the student learning experience
- Engage in appropriate and relevant professional development and scholarship
- Maintain professional OTA licensure in good standing in Massachusetts
- Maintain an active presence on the campus
- Attend faculty and other University meetings/events
- Identify student learning needs; propose solutions to address needs
- Adhere to HIPAA and FERPA privacy standards
- Attend trainings as required
- Participate in the ACOTE accreditation and on-site evaluations
- Participate in state and national professional organizations
- Perform other job-related functions as assigned by the Chair, Dean, or MSCA Bargaining Agreement.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of 5-years of experience working in the OTA field which must include clinical practice, administrative experience, scholarship, and teaching experience
- Current OTA license, or eligible for licensure by hire date, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Initial certification by NBCOT
- Minimum of a master's degree from a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency.
- Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning, implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting
- Minimum of 2-years of full-time experience teaching at a post-secondary institution
- Possess strong organizational and leadership skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- General knowledge of the University's mission, purpose, values, and goals
- A commitment to principles of diversity and inclusion
- Ability to use University resources, notably technology, to promote effective teaching and learning.
Additional Information:
Salary:
Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.
Employee Benefits:
Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.
- Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees with coverage effective on the 1st of the month following the 60 days of employment.
- Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
- Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
- Paid Time Off: employees receive 11 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
- Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.
Disability Accommodations
Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.
Background Check
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.
Application Instructions:
An online application is required. A complete application includes:
- Cover Letter*
- Curriculum vitae
- Unofficial copy of transcripts of highest degree
- Statement of teaching philosophy with areas for continuing scholarship
- Contact information for three reference letter providers**
Notes:
* In your cover letter please include the ways in which you would advance diversity and inclusion in your classroom and at the university.
** Contact information for three reference letter providers should be completed on the reference form. Applicants that are using Interfolio for an existing confidential letter of recommendation should provide the Interfolio based email address (e.g. ref1@interfolio.com).
Application deadline: Review of applications will begin (posting date). The job will remain open until finalists have been selected.
NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
