Position Overview
The mission of the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs & Administration (SPAA) is to educate exceptional public service professionals and generate thought leadership that provides solutions to the most pressing global and community challenges by advancing the public good, democratic values, and ethical public management practices. SPAA offers academic programs at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels in the areas of public administration, urban planning, and law & society. SPAA is recognized as a top School for graduate public service and the MPA program is ranked #1 in local government management by US News and World Report. SPAA faculty are recognized for their excellence in teaching and research. SPAA is also home to the Public Management Center, a unit providing professional education and consulting services to public sector organizations across the Heartland.

The aim of the Robert A. Kipp Assistant Professor of Practice is to affirm KU SPAA’s commitment to advancing local government management through direct contributions to the MPA program, City/County Management Fellows, and the translational application of emergent theory and practice related to local governance. This position is unique in that it distinguishes KU SPAA as a formative experience for future leaders in local government and contributes to intersection of local government scholarship and practice that has been the hallmark of KU SPAA’s reputation as the premier institution for local government management in the nation for 75 years.

The Robert A. Kipp Assistant Professor of Practice is a partially endowed faculty position and reflects the values and commitments of the individual who was a long-serving City Manager for Kansas City, MO and dedicated civic leader. Robert Kipp espoused humility, integrity, active listening, and an unwavering belief in democracy. Mr. Kipp made mentoring the next generation of public service leaders a priority.

The Professor of the Practice position is a non-tenured position appointed for a three-year term with opportunity for renewal.

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Job Description

Advancing Local Government Practice (20%)

• Serves as a thought leader by contributing to the generation and dissemination of practitioner-oriented applied research to inform local government practice
• Provides expertise and guidance to shape SPAA curriculum, research and community engagement strategy in order to reflect and benefit the local government landscape
• Serves as the SPAA liaison with local government associations such as the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas Association of City/County Management(KACM), and other local government consortiums to advance research-based local government practices
• Contributes to the implementation of the annual Kansas City/County Management Conference and other relevant SPAA conferences that advance the profession of local government management

MPA Student and Alumni Advancement (20%)

• Cultivates partnership with local governments to support MPA internship placements and mentors students through the internship experience
• Coordinates professional development and career guidance activities for MPA and graduate students interested in local government and coordinates MPA Fellows Practitioner in Residence cohorts
• Assists with local, regional & national SPAA student recruitment strategies to public service degree programs.
• Serves as a liaison with the MPA Alumni (KUCIMAT) Board to support the professional community of MPA students and alumni through networking opportunities
• Serves as a member of the MPA Program Committee, which includes admission decisions, recognition of student achievement, and curriculum development

Teaching (60%)

• Commits to teaching excellence, bridging theory and practice that elevates local government management through instruction in the MPA, MPA City/County Management Fellows, and related degree programs.
• Leverages professional and academic expertise to serve as the lead instructor in courses on the practice of city/county management, local government administration, contemporary issues in public administration, and related topics.

Required Qualifications
• Masters of public administration, public policy, urban planning or related field
• Professional experience in local government management

Preferred Qualifications
• PhD in public administration, public policy, urban planning or related field.
• Experience teaching graduate courses or applying adult learning principles