ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL WORK (3910)

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:                                      Assistant Professor of Social Work

DIVISION/DEPARTMENT:          Social Sciences | School of Education and Social Sciences

FLSA STATUS:                                Full-Time | Exempt

The Assistant Professor of Social Work is a full-time non-tenured faculty position requiring a strong academic background specifically in more than one area of social work. The Assistant Professor of Social Work shall have the primary responsibility of supporting the Social Sciences Division by maximizing its operating performance while achieving institutional goals and objectives. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for delivering high-quality undergraduate instruction across the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) curriculum, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); supporting students in field education and agency placement; advising students; and contributing to departmental and university service. Because this position also supports the Department of Social Sciences’ general education offerings, the successful candidate must be academically credentialed to teach Introduction to Sociology. 

Essential Functions

• Teach a full course load (four courses per semester) of undergraduate Social Work courses, including Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy and Services, Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities, Social Work Research Methods, Social Work Ethics, and Field Seminar.
• Teach Introduction to Sociology, and other sociology or general education courses within the Department of Social Sciences as assigned by the Chair.
• Serve as a field liaison for students placed in community agencies: assist the Field Education Director in identifying and developing placement sites, review and approve learning contracts, conduct agency site visits, communicate regularly with agency field instructors, and evaluate student performance in the field.
• Advise students on licensure pathways in Florida and provide professional guidance consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics, CSWE educational policy, and applicable Florida statutes and rules governing clinical social work practice.
• Develop, update, and revise course syllabi, learning materials, and assessments aligned with CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) competencies, departmental learning outcomes, and university accreditation standards.
• Deliver instruction using effective pedagogical methods across in-person, hybrid, and/or online modalities as assigned.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students, including academic planning, MSW and graduate school preparation, licensure readiness, and career pathway guidance.
• Maintain regular and consistent office hours for student consultation.
• Contribute to program assessment and CSWE reaffirmation activities, including the collection of competency-based outcome data, benchmark reporting, and preparation of self-study materials.
• Participate in departmental, school, and university governance through committee service.
• Support recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives consistent with the university’s mission.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with South Florida social service, child welfare, behavioral health, school-based, and community organizations that serve as field placement sites, and engage in community outreach that advances FMU’s mission as an HBCU.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to support interdisciplinary programming, general education goals, and program assessment.
• Submit grades, attendance records, field evaluations, and all required documentation by university deadlines.
• Engage in professional development activities to remain current in the discipline and maintain licensure in good standing, including all required continuing education.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chair of Social Sciences or the Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences.
• The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that logically relate to the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to handle information of a sensitive and confidential nature in the utmost professional manner. 
• Effective analytical and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills. Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse constituents.  
• Attention to detail and adaptability to a changing environment are extremely important, as well as dependability.  
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability.
• Basic technology proficiency, including e-mail, word processing, and the ability to learn and use Canvas and the University's student information system.
• Proficiency with basic instructional technology, email, and online grade reporting.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems. 
• Commitment to the mission of an HBCU and to serving a diverse student population.
• Ability to be physically present on the Miami Gardens campus for assigned face-to-face sections.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Minimum Requirements

• An earned terminal degree in social work, either a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW or PhD) from a regionally accredited institution. Candidates must have completed a minimum of 18 graduate-level credit hours in Sociology to be considered. The qualifying degree must be conferred before the start date.
• Current, active, and unencumbered license to practice social work — a Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, or an equivalent active clinical social work license from another jurisdiction with eligibility for Florida licensure by endorsement. Candidates licensed outside Florida must obtain Florida licensure within twelve (12) months of hire. Licensure must be documented at the time of application and maintained in good standing throughout employment.
• Minimum of two (2) years of post-MSW professional social work practice experience, consistent with CSWE expectations for faculty teaching practice courses.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching undergraduate courses.
• Working knowledge of CSWE accreditation standards, competency-based education, and field education requirements.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to the mission of an HBCU and to serving a diverse student population.
• The ability to provide quality instruction in the academic discipline.
• The potential for peer reviewed research, scholarly and/or creative accomplishment by representing the University in the academic discipline.
• The potential to have a positive impact through service that represents the University on campus and within the greater community.

Preferred Requirements

• MSW, Ph.D. or DSW in Social Work or a closely related field.
• Prior service as a field liaison, field coordinator, or Director of Field Education, and demonstrated capacity to develop and sustain agency placement partnerships.
• Designation as a Florida Qualified Supervisor for registered clinical social work interns.
• Prior teaching experience at a college or university, particularly at an HBCU or minority-serving institution.
• Experience with CSWE self-study preparation, curriculum development, program assessment, or accreditation processes.
• Practice expertise in one or more areas of need in South Florida, such as child welfare, behavioral and mental health, substance use, trauma-informed care, school social work, gerontology, or immigrant and refugee services.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish or Haitian Creole.
• Familiarity with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle).
• Experience with active learning strategies, inclusive pedagogy, or hybrid/online course design.
• Ability to teach interdisciplinary courses that complement programs in Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Law and Government.
• Record of professional development, conference participation, or scholarly activity.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Criminal background check.

Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.  Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.