Assistant Professor of Social Work - College of Education and Community Innovation

Overview

Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) School of Social Work seeks two tenure track – assistant professors, full-time, 9-month contract teaching in generalist BSW & MSW courses. This position may include an opportunity for spring/summer teaching with additional compensation. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) classifies GVSU BSW and MSW programs as campus-based and all required courses are taught in person or hybrid.

We are seeking innovative educators who are excited about teaching in person and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who teach in this program. The open positions are for Assistant Professors, subject to funding approval.

Regarding this position, we seek a dynamic scholar-practitioner who has worked with diverse populations (mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, healthcare, etcetera) with at least two years of recent clinical/diagnostic practice post-MSW, preferably in agency-based setting. The ideal candidate will be a generalist social work educator capable of teaching micro-level BSW courses and an integrated methods course at the MSW level with the ability to teach clinical skills (e.g., interviewing skills, case management, individual and family intervention) combining micro, mezzo, and macro content;

and is committed to anti-oppressive, inclusive, and culturally responsive teaching practices. Experience post-BSW and diverse clinical experiences are welcome.

Regarding this position, we seek a dedicated social work educator to teach generalist macro practice courses at the BSW level, with a focus on SW 319 – Social Welfare Policy and Services and/ or SW 430 Social Work Research and potentially MSW macro coursework. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in macro social work, a commitment to social justice and human rights, and a passion for engaging undergraduate students in critical policy analysis and practice to facilitate student understanding of local, state, and federal social welfare policies and services, exploring historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences.

Additionally, an ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to integrate macro topics such as environmental justice, housing or immigration; has experience leading community-based projects and/or background in legislative advocacy or nonprofit leadership demonstrating a commitment to inclusion responsive pedagogy.

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE accredited MSW Program (or equivalent).
• Doctorate (PhD or DSW) in Social Work or a closely related discipline, or ABD with doctoral degree expected within 18 months of hire date.
• Minimum of two years of post-MSW professional social work experience in the relevant teaching area of focus.
• Evidence of critical, reflective thinking about the teaching and learning of social work education.
• Record of, or demonstrated potential for, teaching across macro, mezzo, and micro levels of social work practice at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Ability/interest to teach face to face in traditional learning environments.
• A record of, and/or potential for research/scholarship.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and humility.
• Demonstrated commitment to all students, including inclusion focused social work practices in alignment with CSWE standards.
• Ability to work productively with colleagues with flexibility and creativity.
• Demonstrate commitment to actively engage in service for the School of Social Work, the University, the profession, and the broader community.

• Experience in teaching college level courses in social work and related fields and/or other adult learning settings.
• Completed PhD or DSW in social work or a related discipline at time of hire, PhD preferred.
• Three years post MSW professional social work experience in the relevant teaching area of focus; LMSW (or equivalent) preferred for the…