Exploring Job Opportunities at Oklahoma Universities

Oklahoma's higher education landscape offers diverse employment opportunities, ranging from faculty positions to administrative roles and support staff positions. This article delves into the job opportunities available at Oklahoma universities, with a focus on Northwestern Oklahoma State University, highlighting the types of positions available, qualifications, and the universities' commitment to equal opportunity.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Safety

Oklahoma universities, including Northwestern Oklahoma State University, are equal opportunity employers. These institutions embrace diversity and welcome candidates who bring unique insights, backgrounds, and voices to their campus communities. Universities do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to assisting all members of the OU community in providing for their own safety and security. The Sooner Safety and Fire Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. The Sooner Safety and Fire Report also contains information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by OU; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

The University of Oklahoma also has a Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy. No Tobacco or Drug use (including medical marijuana) is allowed on any university property.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University: An Overview

Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) is a state-assisted regional institution within the Oklahoma System of Higher Education, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With a student population of approximately 2,100, NWOSU offers a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. The university provides competitive compensation, a comprehensive healthcare insurance package, and participation in the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System. NWOSU has campus locations in Alva, Enid and Woodward.

Faculty Positions

NWOSU offers a variety of full-time, nine-month, tenure-track faculty positions. These positions require a strong commitment to teaching, mentoring students, and contributing to the university community. Here are some examples of faculty positions available:

Assistant or Associate Professor of English

NWOSU seeks candidates with teaching expertise in composition, advanced composition, and creative writing. The successful candidate will teach a 27-hour load of undergraduate and occasional graduate-level English courses as well as humanities courses. Minimum qualifications include a PhD from an accredited institution in English and a demonstrated record of teaching composition and other writing courses. Applicants with advanced ABD standing will be considered. A terminal degree awarded prior to January 2026 is required for appointment at the rank of assistant professor on the tenure track.

Assistant or Associate Professor of English Education

This position requires experience teaching in the public school system. The successful candidate is expected to teach all levels of English Education, including Teaching Methods, Young Adult Literature, Usage and the Composition sequence; recruit and advise undergraduates; participate in committee work; and promote teamwork and collegiality within the department by working effectively with faculty, students, and staff. The candidate must be organized and able to draft and interpret both qualitative and quantitative data as needed for CAEP reporting. Qualifications include a Doctorate or advanced ABD preferred, HLC-qualified master’s degree required. A secondary ELA teaching certificate is required. Teaching experience in public education is required. College teaching experience is desirable.

Assistant or Associate Professor of Management and General Business

The successful candidate will be based on the Northwestern Enid campus, teaching courses on site. Placement at the Enid campus will require commuting to the Alva campus one day per week to fulfill teaching responsibilities, with occasional additional commutes as part of various division/institutional activities. The Division of Business standard teaching load consists of 12/12 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate business courses during the regular fall and spring semesters with opportunities for overload compensation during the regular semesters and optional course loads in the summer. Preferred Qualifications include a DBA or a PhD in Management from an accredited university. Preference will be given to candidates with previous university teaching experience, a strong academic background (18+ graduate hours in management), and experience as a corporate manager or business owner. Placement on tenure track conditional upon successful completion of doctoral degree.

Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology

The successful candidate will be based on the Northwestern Alva campus location, teaching courses on site. Preference will be given to biologists with expertise in microbiology, genetics, pathogenic microbiology, immunology, and virology. Capacity and willingness to serve as coordinator for secondary science education is especially desired. Minimum qualifications include a PhD from an accredited institution in the biological sciences with a demonstrated record of teaching, pre-professional student advising, and service. An appropriate EdD from an accredited institution with extensive experience in the biological sciences will also be considered. Applicants with experience and expertise in science education (secondary science teacher preparation) are particularly encouraged to apply.

Assistant Professor of Media and Communication-Journalism

The successful candidate will teach 27 credit hours per academic year. Courses commonly taught in this position include Writing for Media Professionals, News Reporting, Photography, Publication Design and Production, and Media Law & Ethics. In addition, this position serves as faculty advisor for the Northwestern News, the award-winning, student-run newspaper and digital news platform. The faculty advisor will mentor student journalists, oversee editorial workflows, support ethical and legally-sound reporting practices, and lead ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand the publication’s digital presence. Preferred Qualifications: Terminal degree in journalism, mass communication, or related field; professional experience in journalism; and teaching experience in higher education. Minimum Qualifications: Professional experience in journalism or teaching experience in higher education. Master’s degree in journalism, mass communication or related field. Terminal degree awarded prior to August 2026 is required for rank of assistant professor on tenure track.

Administrative Positions

Universities also offer administrative positions that are crucial for the smooth functioning of the institution.

Dean of Faculty

This is a twelve-month, full-time position. The Dean of Faculty is a member of the university’s senior staff and reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Within the academic schools, administer the policies of the university to achieve coordination of instructional, programmatic, and budgetary programs. More specifically, the Dean of Faculty administers university policy to achieve coordination of instructional and budgetary programs in the university’s two schools, the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies, and their thirteen departments and divisions. The successful candidate will hold an earned doctorate and have prior teaching and administrative experience in higher education. A minimum of five years of administrative experience at the level of division chair or above is highly desirable.

Staff Positions

Staff positions provide essential support to the university's operations. These positions can range from maintenance and facilities to administrative support.

Maintenance and Facilities Staff

Responsibilities include assisting in building forms, pouring and finishing cement; repairing appliances; erecting partitions and installing ceilings; painting walls and woodwork. Change air-conditioner filters, unplug drains, repair faucets, replace fluorescent light tubes. Repair equipment and do building maintenance. Mow grass with small tractor or self-propelled riding mower. Operate jackhammer, and occasionally operate trucks, forklifts, front end loaders, and mechanized equipment incidental to regular work assignments. Required to do heavy lifting which may exceed 100 pounds. Perform job-related work as required and assigned, and assist in emergencies when called upon.

Other Staff Positions

Part-time Shuttle Driver: This position is on an as-needed basis and does not guarantee weekly hours. Candidates will be responsible for shuttling students to and from various locations. A High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
Campus Security Officer: Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/law enforcement from an accredited college or university is preferred, or equivalent experience in the field of law enforcement. High School diploma is required. CLEET certification is required. All candidates must possess superior communication and interpersonal skills, and have the ability to interact with students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration.
Title III Office Staff: Regular, full-time, twelve-month grant position with university benefit package located within the Title III office in the Ryerson Hall Building on the Alva Campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Note: This position is only available during the five-year grant term. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required.
Various positions: Qualifications include No experience is required. A working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office will be helpful. Must be willing to learn to work with technology. Good Communication Skills.
Department of Intercollegiate Athletics: This position is a part-time 10-month position in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Application Process

Applicants for faculty positions at NWOSU should provide a cover letter, a curriculum vitae that includes contact information for at least three professional references, a description of teaching philosophy (if applicable), the completed NWOSU Application for Faculty, and academic transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for application; official transcripts will be required before appointment.

Applicants for non-faculty positions should provide a Northwestern Job Application for Non-Exempt Positions along with resume. Some positions may require a completed Non-Exempt Staff Application for Employment form and a resume with contact information for three professional references.

Application forms are fillable PDFs, and applicants may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print these documents.

tags: #oklahoma #university #job #opportunities