Assistant Director of Field Education (ADFE)/ Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Missoula, MONTANA
Job Type: FullTime

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College

*Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.

The University of Montana School of Social Work (UMSSW) invites applications for a full time, 12-month, non-tenurable,Assistant Director of Field Education (ADFE)/ Clinical Assistant Professor to begin May 2024. 

In this position you will coordinate practicum placements for students in the online Master of Social Work program, cultivate relationships with community and state organizations serving as field education sites, teach bachelor’s and/or master’s-level social work courses with a focus on field instruction, and provide professional advisement and ongoing support to students and agency field instructors. UMSSW clinical faculty promote social, racial, and economic justice and equity among diverse populations through teaching and curriculum, outreach and community partnerships, and leadership practices. Service at the department, University, and professional levels are expected with this position. This position does not have any direct supervisory responsibilities. There are no research or scholarship expectations of this position. 

Responsibilities:

  • Ongoing supervision and support of online MSW students throughout all stages of the field education process;
  • Assist students in integrating theory with practice;
  • Assist practicum students and field agencies in meeting the learning standards and educational requirements of the practicum experience;
  • Evaluate, build, and maintain collaborative relationships with field agencies
  • Support the planning and facilitation of both in person and virtual field education events;
  • Administrative management of field education protocols;
  • Coordinate with faculty members and academic advisors;
  • Serve on UMSSW committees as needed (e.g., BSW/MSW/online MSW committee, admissions committee);
  • Teach assigned courses/ credits as assigned by Dean and Chair, as outlined by the School’s Unit Standards with a focus on field instruction (in person and online);
  • Teaching with a focus on field instruction per calendar year (in person and/or online)
  • Support and maintain relationships with online education partner Wiley Education and practicum agencies to ensure social work educational standards and Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation requirements are met;
  • Support the ongoing development and success of all UMSSW programs with a focus on field education courses, student and agency trainings and support, and practicum placements;
  • Support re-accreditation efforts of the School and the field education program, including data collection and reporting;
  • Coordinate with faculty and agency field instructors in training students on site.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action. Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.


Position Details

Title: Assistant Director of Field Education (ADFE)/ Clinical Assistant Professor

Position Type: Non-Tenure track in the School of Social Work

Schedule: Full time fiscal year (12 months)

Salary:$65,00 – $68,000 per year commensurate with qualifications

Benefits:comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program


Required Qualifications
  • Master of Social Work degree and a minimum of two (2) years post-master's level practice experience
  • Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people in a precise and professional manner
  • Ability to supervise both undergraduate and graduate social work students
  • Practice with diverse individuals, groups and/or communities
  • Ability to teach Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work courses online utilizing university software
  • Commitment to quality teaching and promoting an inclusive educational environment that affirms the value of diversity

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience with social work field education
  • Experience with program development, management, and administrative oversight
  • Evidence of supervising undergraduate and graduate level practicum students both in an agency and academic setting
  • Experience developing and teaching courses at the undergraduate or graduate levels – both in person and/or online
  • Practice with Indigenous communities
  • Understand competency-based education and training including working knowledge of Council on Social Work Education 2022 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards
  • Training and educating field supervisors and field liaisons
  • Experience working in an academic setting with a focus on social work field education
  • Active licensure as a clinical social worker
  • Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

About UM  and the School of Social Work

The University of Montana is a flagship, R1 research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains where three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.  The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees. 

At the UM School of Social Work, we take an integrated-practice approach premised on the inseparability of individual struggles and social issues such as poverty, discrimination, oppression, and social injustice. We seek to engage individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in the process of strengthening personal capacities, social programs, and public policies.  We draw on the rich legacy  of social justice work in creating a cutting-edge learning experience that prepares social workers for 21st century challenges.  Our advanced integrated-practice curriculum embraces the profession’s commitment to value-based social work practice and promotes social and economic justice by:

  • grounding students in social work values and critical thinking;
  • providing students with frameworks for understanding historical, political, and cultural contexts of practice, honoring difference, confronting oppression, and taking action for social justice;
  • preparing students to bridge direct practice with individuals, groups, and families and the knowledge and skills of community building;
  • teaching students to integrate research, policy analysis, and advocacy in their practice regardless of setting, problem area, or specific job description; and
  • preparing students as social work leaders committed to promotion of empowering, participatory, social-justice-oriented practice.

The mission of the UM School of Social Work at The University of Montana is to effectively engage in activities integral to preparing skilled baccalaureate and master’s level social work practitioners, while promoting more just and humane social structures and outcomes within Montana, the United States, and internationally.

 To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9)


Priority Application Date: Sunday, February 11, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (MST)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials. Application will remain open until position is filled.

This position will remain OPEN UNTILL FILLED.

Please submit the following application materials** by clicking "New Resume/CV" button.  Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

  • Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
  • Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
  • Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application.  Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above. 

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.


Missoula, Montana, United States