Assistant Professor- Public Administration

Position Rank and Title

Assistant Professor in Public Administration

School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences

Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $86,000-$90,000

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU's excellent benefits package.

August 2026

October 31, 2025 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies (SPPES) at San Jose State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor in Public Administration beginning in August 2026. We seek an interdisciplinary teacher‑scholar who will contribute to our Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and has expertise in collaborative and participatory governance; digital governance; policy innovation processes; and/or administrative or land use law.

Competitive applicants will also demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing social equity through their research, teaching, professional experience, and/or advising.

The newly established School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies (SPPES) is home to several professional graduate programs including the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Urban Planning (MUP), Master of Science in Geographic Information Sciences (MSGISc), and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies, along with undergraduate programs in Environmental Studies, Geography, and Global Studies. The new faculty will join a community of interdisciplinary teacher‑scholars who are dedicated to mentoring students to become future leaders in public service and to building partnerships to address complex social problems.

More information about the Public Administration program in the College of Social Sciences is located here: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies in the College of Social Sciences and San Jose State University value inclusive excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first‑generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher‑scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill‑building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Evidence of potential for significant scholarly contributions in areas of expertise.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in across‑cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

• Expertise in the design, function, and reform of governance systems.
• Expertise in community‑engaged, policy, and participatory action research that addresses the needs of diverse, urban communities.
• Practical experience in public service work,…