The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa Campus invites applications for the position of Department Chair with an expected start date in Fall 2026. This position offers a leadership opportunity in a highly productive and growing CEE department at a top-50 public research university. We seek an accomplished scholar and dynamic leader who will guide a highly productive faculty respect and strengthen the departments collaborative culture address faculty and students needs and foster continued excellence in research teaching and service. The successful candidate is expected to provide both a strategic vision and day-to-day management for the CEE Department enhance its visibility while advancing its role in achieving the strategic mission of the College of Engineering. Responsibilities include: providing strategic leadership; managingdepartmental operations; promoting avibrant and collaborative research culture ; advancing excellence in teaching and mentoring across all programs; recruiting mentoring and retaining talented faculty and staff; broadening participation among students faculty and staff; managing resources and budgets effectively and transparently; strengthening relationships with alumni donors industry partners and local state and federal agencies and organizations ; and collaborating with other department chairs and college leadership.
Minimum qualifications include: (1) eligibility for appointment as a tenured full professor in a CEE department at a Carnegie R1 institution; (2) an earned doctoral degree in CEE or a closely related field from an accredited research institution; (3) demonstrated understanding of the CEE discipline and community; (4) proven leadership experience in higher education administration; and (5) a strong commitment to high-quality pedagogy curricular and student development. Preferred qualifications include: (1) a proven commitment to fostering a collegial collaborative and supportive departmental culture; (2) demonstrated availability responsiveness and excellent communication skills; (3) a proven ability to develop and sustain enduring relationships with alumni donors industry partners and local state and federal agencies and organizations; (4) a strong record of leadership in securing competitive and significant research funding including multidisciplinary research initiatives from various sources; (5) a strong record of scholarship with publications in top-tier journals and conferences in CEE; (6) longstanding engagement in mentoring faculty students and staff to promote their professional development and long-term success; (7) proven leadership in recruiting program development team building and staff supervision; and (8) effective budget management practices in consultation with faculty and staff.
Established in 1964 and currently led by Dean Levi Thompson the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is ranked #56 among public institutions (#89 overall) by U.S. News & World Reports 2025 Engineering & Specialties Rankings. The college serves more than 3700 students offering nine bachelors programs as well as 12 masters and eight doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $46.9 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability biomedical engineering computing technology and transportation.
The college serves more than 3500 students offering eight ABET-accredited bachelors programs 11 masters and eight doctoral degrees including a new bachelors masters and doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $48 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2023-2024. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability biomedical engineering computing technology and transportation.
The University of South Florida a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past ten years no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Reports national university rankings than USF. Further USF joined the American Association of Universities (AAU) in 2023. Serving more than 50000 students on campuses in Tampa St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee the Florida Board of Governors designated USF as a Preeminent State Research University placing it in the most elite category among the states 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at .
With campuses in Tampa St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee USF serves approximately 50000 students who represent nearly 150 different countries. For four consecutive years U.S. News & World Report has ranked USF as one of the nations top 50 public universities including USFs highest ranking ever in 2023 (No. 42). In 2023 USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities (AAU) a prestigious group of the leading universities in the United States and Canada. Through hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year and as one of top universities in the world for securing new patents USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at.
An application package should include a cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications for the position a curriculum vitae (CV)a detailed letter of interest (1-2 pages) outlining their leadership interests philosophy and experience and provide contact information for at least three professional references. Applicants must electronically submit the application packet as one PDF file to the following website: (Applicants search Job Opening ID#). Applications will be considered starting immediately until the positions are filled.
USF is an equal opportunity equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace. The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of age disability genetic information national origin pregnancy race/color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or any other unlawful basis. Dual career couples with questions about opportunities are encouraged to contact the Deans Office Dr. S. Bhanja. To request disability accommodations in the application and interview process please notify Melanie Salarbux at or Khoa Dinh at at least five working days in advance.
Pursuant to Title IX USF does not discriminate on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that it operates. Such protection extends to students employees admission and employment. Questions or inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. The most current contact information for the USF Title IX Coordinator and resources can be found on the USF Title IX webpage at .
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