POSITION DESCRIPTION

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Portland State University

Changing Lives, Changing Communities

Assistant Professor(Tenure Track)

One faculty positions effective 9/16/2017

Position Summary

The School of Social Work at Portland State University seeks to fill a nine-month tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor for the Fall of 2017 to teach in our BSW and MSW programs. We seek applicants whose areas of substantive research, scholarship, and teaching are: social justice; social work pedagogy, including online education; practice with children, youth, and families; aging; health and behavioral health; practice with immigrant communities; practice with Native American/Indigenous communities; social work policy; or macro practice.

Instructional responsibilities will include teaching in both BSW and MSW programs at our Portland campus and in our online BSW Flexible Degree Online option. Previous experience in undergraduate education and/or online instruction is highly preferred, especially successful instruction with historically underrepresented and non-traditional students—including first generation college students, veterans, Native American/Indigenous students, African American/Black students, and Latinx students. Interested candidates who demonstrate an interest in and ability to realize the mission, values, and vision of the School are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly those with knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to racial equity and critical/anti-oppression/social justice frameworksThe successful candidates are scheduled to begin September 16, 2017.

Required Qualifications

  • DSW or PhD in social work or related discipline (e.g., public health, human

development /family studies, education, sociology, etc.)

  • MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program
  • Two years of full time equivalent, post-MSWpractice experience (micro, mezzo, or macro)
  • Strong record or evidence of potential for research and scholarly productivity
  • Demonstrated interest in the integration of research and scholarship, teaching, and service to the School, University, state, and profession
  • ABDs will be considered but PhD must be officially awarded on or beforeSeptember 15, 2017

Portland State University Key Competencies:

  • Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates difference
  • Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds
  • Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive setting with a willingness to change for continual improvement
  • Adhere to all PSU’s policies, including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct

School of Social Work

The School of Social Work at Portland State University is committed to the enhancement of the individual and society. We are dedicated to social change and to the attainment of social justice for all people, the eradication of poverty, the empowerment of those who are oppressed, the rights of all individuals and groups to determine their destiny, and the opportunity to live in cooperation. The School offers degree programs in Child and Family Studies, Bachelor in Social Work, Master of Social Work (campus, distance, and online options), and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and Social Research. The BSW and MSW degree programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. There are approximately 35 full-time and 50 part-time faculty who provide instruction for our campus, distance, and online options. Our undergraduate enrollment is approximately 350 and graduate enrollment is over 500 students.

PSU is also home to significant research, training, and public service programming. Faculty, students, and researchers in the School of Social Work conduct over $12 million annually of applied social science research and training, representing over 20 percent of PSU’s externally funded research. The School of Social Work hosts a broad range of research activities, from large-scale grant-supported projects to smaller faculty-directed and student-directed studies. The faculty’s research initiatives have attracted support from some of the nation’s most respected funders, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, the W. T. Grant Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Most grant-supported projects are managed within one of the affiliated research units:

•Regional Research Institute for Human Services

•Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services

•Research & Training Center on Pathways to Positive Futures

•Reclaiming Futures

•The Center for Interdisciplinary Mentoring Research

In addition, faculty and students conduct their own studies or collaborate with other professionals and organizations within and beyond Portland State University. The university and the school share a goal to raise the research profile of the faculty, continuing to contribute basic and applied research for understanding issues in the city, state, region and nationally.

Compensation

The starting Academic rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience. Portland State University offers an excellent benefits package including 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Applications

Candidates should apply online at with the following documents: 1) letter of application which should indicate research and scholarship and teaching experience and capability; 2) writing sample, please submit a solo authored writing sample; 3) curriculum vitae; 4) statement of teaching philosophy; 5) evidence of teaching effectiveness and 6) names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references.

The position is subject to a criminal background check. A criminal conviction alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential and nondiscriminatory manner that is consistent with state and federal law.

Portland State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Institution that welcomes applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity. Our university community values campus diversity and we encourage members of historically under-represented groups to apply.