The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University (Durham, NC) invites applications for an Executive in Residence to lead and manage the new Community-Based Innovation Program. This program aims to partner with external community-based and non-profit organizations to integrate community-inspired challenges into the Duke Engineering curriculum to train students to collaborate with diverse stakeholders representing a community, to deeply explore questions of solution equity, and to work within the economic and political realities of communities. 

This position is expected to be full time. Executive in Residence is a non-regular rank faculty position within the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. 

The major responsibilities of this position will be to (1) design and serve as instructor for two new undergraduate community engagement courses; (2) extend course content for online delivery to train graduate students, staff, and faculty working with communities; and (3) curate relationships with community partners. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Community-Based Innovation.

In this role, you will be expected to

·   design syllabi and serve as instructor for two new undergraduate community-engagement courses: ‘Introduction to Community-Engaged Scholarship’ - train students in the history, methods, and impact of community engagement and ‘Duke Engineering Community Consultation’ - experiential learning course featuring teams of undergraduate students embedded within community organizations;

·   develop approaches to engage and recruit community partners (community groups, non-governmental organizations(NGOs), workforce development partners, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), government entities, etc.) as clients for undergraduate student projects;

·   advise, mentor, and facilitate undergraduate student team projects with community partners, including transportation, resourcing, communication, and project guidance;

·   develop online educational modules derived from the community engagement introductory course to provide training to graduate students, staff, and faculty working with communities, including in community-engaged research;

·   assist with solicitation, review, and award of community grants to support Community Consultation course;

·   collaborate with other curricular and co-curricular courses and programs with a focus on community partner clients; and

·   assist in communicating program outcomes and measurable impact to broad audiences, including fundraising prospects and current donors to Duke.

Key Expertise and Strengths:

We are looking for a person with deep expertise in a community-facing role that involves technology as an agent of change to help solve problems within a community.

 The candidate hired should ideally have a combination of the following qualities and skillsets:

·   deep passion to drive innovation focused on meeting community-identified needs;

·   desire to develop courses, and teach and mentor students at the undergraduate level;

·   ability to incorporate diverse perspectives, opportunities, and lived experiences into programmatic execution;

·   ability to work with the public, establish collaborations, and articulate planning issues to a wide variety of audiences;

·   ability to function as a mediator or facilitator when community interests conflict;

·   ability to solve problems using a balance of technical competence, creativity, and pragmatism.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge in some, but not all of the following areas:

·   plan-making and project evaluation;

·   techniques for involving a wide range of people in making decisions;

·   understanding of the social and environmental impact of planning decisions on communities;

·   office software (presentation, spreadsheet, etc.).

Desired Preparation:

The ideal candidate would have a master’s degree or commensurate professional experience and expertise in public participation, project management, urban planning, or a related discipline. Teaching experience in a post-secondary institution is highly desirable. Professional certification in the form of a Master Certified Public Participation Professional (MCP3) from International Association for Public Participation, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) from American Planning Association, or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute is highly desirable.

Who We Are & What We Value:

The Pratt School of Engineering’s mission is to provide a rigorous engineering education for both undergraduate and graduate students, enabling them to lead productive, rewarding and ethical lives for the betterment of society. To achieve this mission, Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging.

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with 130 tenure-track faculty members, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, teaching statement, and a list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail contacts of three references. The search committee, advised by the Associate Dean for Community-Based Innovation, will begin reviewing applications in June 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

• Cover letter

• Curriculum Vitae

• Teaching statement

• Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses)

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.