Faculty in Social Work

Position Summary

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $67,400.00-$83,650.00 annually

Department: Health Sciences
Reports To: Sciences Department Chair
Status/Time Commitment: Full-time with faculty, Term Appointment, 9-month appointment
Rank: Assistant Professor
Start Date: October 1, 2024

Fresno Pacific University, a faith-based Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) situated in California's San Joaquin Valley, is seeking an Assistant Professor of Social Work. The Social Work program at the university plays a pivotal role in the Central Valley, focusing on developing students' generalist social work practice skills. This position is responsible for teaching across a broad curriculum, including evening courses in the Degree Completion format with hybrid blended six-week sessions, as well as potentially in the Traditional Undergraduate format with daytime courses. In addition to teaching, the faculty member will engage in scholarly research, contribute to curriculum development, and participate in ongoing program assessment and evaluation. This role requires a commitment to teaching within a faith-based environment and a dedication to enhancing the program's impact and effectiveness.

Essential Functions

Culture:

• Be in agreement with the university's Confession of Faith, found , have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, be active in the life of the church, and live a life consistent with a commitment to the Lordship of Christ.
• Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University.
• Be Christ-centered in all areas while working with staff, faculty, students, and or any person or organization in the course of representing the University.
• All FPU employees are called to exercise the gifts and calling of God through their daily life and role here at FPU. As ministers to students and other employees in daily life, FPU employees seek to embody the ideals laid out in the FPU Idea.
• A steadfast commitment to the "The Fresno Pacific University Idea" and agreement to support its ideals and practices while employed by the University.

Role

• Deliver instruction in both the Degree Completion (DC) format, including evening classes with hybrid blended six-week courses, and, as assigned, in the Traditional Undergraduate (TUG) format with daytime courses.
• Design, develop, and update course content and teaching materials to ensure the curriculum remains current and effective in meeting educational goals.
• Engage in and advance an active research agenda, contributing to the field of social work through publications, presentations, and other scholarly activities.
• Participate in the ongoing assessment and evaluation of the Social Work program to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with institutional and accreditation standards.
• Provide academic advising and mentorship to students, supporting their professional development and academic success.
• Contribute to departmental and university committees, participate in professional organizations, and engage in community service as related to the social work field.
• Stay current with developments in social work practice and education and integrate new knowledge and best practices into teaching and program activities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Possess an earned terminal degree in the relevant field of study. Candidates with a master’s degree or those nearing completion of a terminal degree may also be considered. All faculty members are required to have, or be willing to complete, a terminal degree.
• Demonstrate a record of scholarly achievement or promise of future contributions to the field.
• Possess knowledge of technology and learning management systems.
• Experience or aptitude for outstanding college-level teaching.
• Have a minimum of five years of post-master’s experience in the social work or human services profession.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and the ability to understand and promote equity and diversity within the educational environment.
• Commitment to the Christian faith and the university’s mission of Christ-centered teaching and learning, as well as involvement in a local church.

Preferred:

• Evidence of scholarly contributions to the field of Social Work.
• Have experience teaching in a college setting, with a preference for experience with adult learners.
• Possess experience with CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accreditation processes.

Environmental Conditions:

• Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:

• This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. The position may involve travel for meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position 80 % of the time, be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery, etc., operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information, including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members, and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Reasonable accommodation for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with the law.

University Information

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statements: brief statement (1 page or less) on each of the following topics:
• Philosophy of Education
• Relationship & Commitment to Jesus Christ and the Church
• Relating Christian faith to discipline and teaching
• Diversity Rationale
• Official Transcripts (showing highest degree earned)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
• Pastoral Letter
• This person should have extensive knowledge of your Christian life and relationship with Jesus Christ. This knowledge should be expressed in the letter.

UNIVERSITY DESCRIPTION
Fresno Pacific University is the only accredited Christian university founded in the Central Valley. FPU connects every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. FPU offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs that stress solid academic preparation and a strong ethical foundation to more than 3,500 traditional and adult students on the main campus in southeast Fresno and regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online. The university also reaches about 8,000 students through professional development studies. FPU has the highest four-year graduation rate of any Central Valley college or university, and is a Hispanic Serving Institution, with a Hispanic student population of 47 percent. FPU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and ranked in the top tier among western universities—master’s category by U.S. News & World Report. Both U.S. News and Washington Monthly include FPU on their “Best Value” and “Best Bang for the Buck” lists, U.S. News places it at number 13 in its category for student social mobility and Money has ranked it at number 11 among 50 Best Colleges for Transfer Students. FPU is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church, and all employees express a personal Christian commitment and support the Christian mission of the university. A description of the unique quality of FPU as an academic community can be found in the Fresno Pacific Idea at .


Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at . As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.