Description
Job Title: Scholar Educator Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department: Social Work
Location: Remote
Annual Basis: 9.5-month workload
Application Deadline: Position open until filled
Salary Range: $88,000 - $92,000 (9.5 months)
Plus medical, dental and vision benefits, 403(b) retirement plan, flexible spending account, and paid time off.
The Department of Social Work at Palo Alto University encompasses a new online Master of Social Work (MSW) program that offers a specialization in Culturally Informed Behavioral Health Practice (CIBH) with two tracks, practice with children and youth in school and community settings (BY Track) and practice with adults in public behavioral health settings (PBH Track). The program’s goal is to graduate students who are competent behavioral health practitioners who provide care to populations in urban and rural regions of California. The MSW program is in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA) and has initiated the accreditation process for school social worker preparation with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The program will be enrolling a first student cohort in Fall of 2025. The program’s website URL is: https://www.paloaltou.edu/academic-programs/master-social-work
Position Description
The selected candidate will be required to demonstrate knowledge and skills applicable for developing and administering the MSW program, including developing curriculum and supporting the accreditation processes with CSWE and CTC. Additionally, the selected candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to enhance the program’s goal to graduate students who will become behavioral health practitioners able to provide care to individuals and families in urban and rural regions of California. The successful candidate’s expertise should also include an understanding of the multiple factors that impact services to underserved communities.
About the University
Palo Alto University (PAU), founded in 1975, is a private, non-profit university located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley. Through education, research, training, and service in mental and behavioral health, PAU prepares its students to address pressing and emerging issues that equitably meet the needs of our ever-changing human condition. PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of psychology, counseling, and social work with online, hybrid, and residential options. The students at PAU reflect the population of the region, are engaged in their education, and committed to improving the lives of others.
PAU is committed to faculty success. The Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) provides resources and training in evidence-based teaching strategies for instructors at all stages of their career to advance a culture of continuous learning and growth. PAU has launched an onboarding process and two-year program to promote mentorship and support development of new faculty. Additionally, PAU supports faculty research through grants and other funding sources.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Curricular Development, Teaching and Advising (80%)
Develop syllabi and other teaching materials.
Teach 36 units of courses per year over 9.5 months (Typically courses in the program are 2-3 units each, which would translate into 3-4 classes per quarter).
Provide academic advising and professional mentorship to MSW students.
2. Service and Engagement (20%)
Serve on program, department and/or university committees, including assisting with self-study writing and program development in support of accreditation with CSWE and CTC, and other program development activities.
Conduct student recruitment activities.
Participate in program and department faculty meetings.
Attend major university events, such as convocation and commencement.
Active engagement in the field of social work through participation in relevant professional associations and/or presenting at conferences or communities.
The duties and responsibilities of this faculty position are conducted remotely. The position requires working and meeting together with the social work team during business hours and working on campus a few days per quarter and to attend university-wide events.
Requirements
Required qualifications:
Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program.
Minimum of 2 years post-MSW degree clinical social work and/or school social work experience.
Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication skills with students, colleagues, and community partners, in-person or virtually through email, video conferencing, and chat.
Demonstrated experience in facilitating conversations between individuals that recognize multiple perspectives, the systemic nature of different lived experiences, and the benefit of deepening understanding.
Preferred but not required qualifications:
Doctoral degree in social work, education, or a related field.
License or license eligible as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Pupil Services Personnel Credential for School Social Work.
Teaching, supervisory or training experience with MSW students and MSW-level social workers, including in academic and/or community contexts.
Professional experience in the publicly funded behavioral health system in California.
Professional social work experience with underserved populations, including in rural regions of California.
Candidates who will contribute to the collaborative, interdisciplinary work at PAU and demonstrate excellence in their teaching, advising, and service are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Procedures:Interested candidates should submit one single document (PDF) that contains all the below items. The application system will not accept more than one document, and an application will not be considered complete without the below required items.
Required:
A letter of interest. Your letter of interest should detail your interests in the position as well as relevant qualifications. Please include information on how your background and experience aligns with PAU’s mission and values.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
A list of 3-5 references with contact information
A statement of teaching philosophy
Optional:
Teaching/training effectiveness evaluations
Graduate school transcripts
The position is open until filled. The expected start date for this position is December/January of 2025. The review of applications begins on Monday, September 22, 2025. Please direct questions to Rose Wong, PhD, MPA, LCSW, Professor & Chair, Social Work Department ([email protected]).
