Director, IIRP & At-Risk Institute

Director, Institute for Instructional Research & Practice (IIRP) and the Institute for At-Risk Infants, Chidlren and Youth and Their Families (#5890)

The University of South Florida (USF) College of Education invites nominations and applications for the position of Director, Institute for Instructional Research and Practice (IIRP) and the Institute for At-Risk Infants, Children and Youth and Their Families.  We seek an innovative and dynamic educational leader/administrator to assume the directorship of the Institutes.

The IIRP was established by the Florida Legislature in 1984. The IIRP developed and administers the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations program, which is the largest certification testing program in the nation administered by a state university, with a contract of over $33 million and a staff of approximately 80.  Assuring the highest quality standards in certification testing and innovative practices in test administration, including computer-based testing, is central to the mission of the IIRP.

The Institute for At-Risk Infants, Children and Youth and Their Families was created by Florida Legislation in 1989 to develop policy, conduct research and training focused on the characteristics of and strategies needed to meet the educational needs of at-risk infants, children and youth and their families.  The Institute has approximately $1.2 million in external funding and a staff of approximately 20.

USF is a multi-campus national research university that supports the development of the metropolitan Tampa Bay Region, Florida, the United States, and the world. USF received more than $287 million in research contracts and grants last year.  The College of Education ranks among the top third of Graduate Schools of Education in the nation according to US News & World Report and contributes significantly to USF’s external funding which totaled over $28 million during 2004-05. 

Position Description :  The Director of the Institutes reports to the Dean of the College of Education and works in collaboration with department chairs and center directors to encourage the involvement of faculty and graduate students in the research and development efforts of the Institutes.  The Director maintains close working relationships with the Florida Department of Education, federal granting agencies, school districts, and other educational organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and serve as the Chief Administrative Officer for the IIRP and the At-Risk Institutes.
• Ensure that the Institutes meet the highest standards of quality by overseeing program operations, human resources and personnel matters, and monitoring all contracts and grants administered by the Institutes.
• Provide direct management, oversight, and supervision of all the programmatic, operational, and fiscal functions/activities of operating the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations program.
• Maintain excellent working relationships and coordination with funding agencies, including:  the Florida Department of Education, other state and federal agencies, and school districts.
• Engage institute staff, appropriate faculty, and external constituents in strategic planning to develop and implement new grant and funding opportunities consistent with the mission of the Institutes.
• Serve as a member of the dean’s leadership team, link with department chairs, center directors, and faculty to encourage the participation of faculty and graduate students in the work of the Institutes.
• Represent the Institutes internally and externally and serve as a liaison with external funding agencies the Institutes serves.

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Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution
• A demonstrated record of success in obtaining contracts and grants;
• At least two years of successful administrative experience in a similar setting to the Institutes (e.g., regional educational lab or other educational R&D setting, institution of higher education, state education agency, or in the private sector such as in a Testing Center or in an educational non-profit organizaion); strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• extensive experience and success in obtaining contracts and grants in education or a related field;
• three or more years of successful experience administering a similar educational R&D enterprise;
• an established record of scholarship in testing (specialty in computer-based testing is highly desirable), or an emphasis in special education/at-risk infants, children, or adults; demonstrated commitment to diversity;
• demonstrated commitment to excellence in educational research and development;
• visionary leader with a collaborative style who can take the Institutes to the next level.

Depending upon qualifications, the Director may be appointed as a non-tenure track faculty administrator, or in accordance with the standards of the University of South Florida (http://files.acad.usf.edu/facprogdev/5464.pdf) as an associate or full professor with an affiliation in an appropriate academic department in the College of Education.

Salary:  Competitive (12-month position).

Starting Date:  August 1, 2006 or negotiable.

Application/Nomination Process:   Applications must include:  a letter of interest which describes your qualifications, a curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of five references.  References will not be contacted until advanced stages of screening and candidates will receive prior notification.  Application materials must be received by 5:00 pm, April 21, 2006 (Eastern Time).  Please specify position # 5890.

Applicants may submit an electronic copy of their application via e-mail in either PDF or Word format, or submit a hard copy.  If you have any questions, please contact Lora Crider at lcrider@coedu.usf.edu.

Nominations should include the name, address, telephone, and e-mail address of the nominee and a brief description of the nominee’s qualifications for the position.

Please send nominations and applications to:

Dr. Dick Puglisi

Chair, Director of the Institutes Search Committee

In care of:  lcrider@coedu.usf.edu

University of South Florida

College of Education, Office of the Dean

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, EDU 162

Tampa, FL 33620-8600

For disability accommodations, contact Alice Marino at (813) 974-3400 at least five working days in advance of need.

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