Professor of the Practice (Open Rank) - Social Welfare

27010BR

Social Welfare

Position Overview

The University of Kansas (KU) School of Social Welfare (SSW) is seeking candidates for an open-rank professor of the practice position to teach in-person and online social work courses. Rank will be commensurate with the final candidate's credentials and experience. This professor of the practice (open rank) position will primarily teach in our MSW program online and in-person at our Lawrence and Edwards campuses. Other teaching responsibilities could involve teaching in our BSW program. Qualified candidates who have a doctoral degree may have the opportunity to teach in our online DSW program. Our online courses are a 50/50 blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction and content. Faculty candidates should have experience in and/or a desire to teach at the MSW level across the School’s curriculum areas: social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; social welfare policy; theories of change at all levels of social work; applied research; social / racial / economic / environmental justice, and/or electives in the area of the individual’s expertise (e.g. substance use, cultural diversity).

The (open rank) professor of the practice for the School of Social Welfare is a non-tenure track faculty member who possesses the expertise and achievements to provide professional instruction. This is a 12-month position teaching eight to nine 3-credit-hour courses per year with 10% effort devoted to each course for a teaching total of 80-90% effort. The number of courses taught over a calendar year may vary to meet the service needs of the school. This position may also involve curricular development; organizing and planning course syllabi according to a standardized syllabi guide, textbook acquisition, and media/technology needs and equipment requests; planning and organizing courses; developing and organizing course management software; and/or mentoring graduate teaching assistants and adjunct instructors. Service duties, as described above, should not exceed 10-20% effort. This position is limited term and may be appointed for up to an initial three-year period with an opportunity for extension/renewal after a comprehensive review.

The KU SSW is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment for students, faculty, and staff. We also encourage our school community members to engage in service to the larger community to advance social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. The successful candidate will have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As a nationally accredited School of Social Welfare within a comprehensive, premier research university we continually strive to innovate, transform, and educate through quality education, research advancement, and community engagement. The main campus of the KU School of Social Welfare is in Lawrence and offers BSW, MSW, DSW, and PhD degree programs. The KU Edwards Campus is in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, and offers BSW and MSW courses. The MSW program is also offered at our partnership sites at Pittsburg State University and Kansas State University-Salina.

Job Description

Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university that serves as a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor. The University of Kansas is the only state university in Kansas to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a select group of 62 public and private research universities that represent excellence in graduate and professional education and the highest achievements in research internationally. The university enrolls more than 28,000 students, offers approximately 5,000 courses, more than 400 degree and certificate programs, and employs 2,800 faculty members, many of them at the top of their fields. In KU’s dynamic, cross-disciplinary research and learning environment, students exchange ideas, discover new ways of processing the world, and address society’s grand challenges.

In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. prior to the start of the position.
The anticipated workload is below. All faculty have the potential for their workload to shift in discussion with the Dean and in accordance with the SSW’s workload policy. Rank and salary will be commensurate with the final candidate's credentials and experience.

80-90% Teaching

• Teach eight or nine 3-credit courses per year, primarily MSW courses in-person at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, but also online MSW courses and, if qualified with a doctoral degree, online DSW courses.
• Plan and organize assigned courses including syllabus preparation according to a standardized syllabus guide, textbook acquisition, media/technology needs and equipment requests, and maintaining the course web-based learning management system.
• Administer exams and assignments including grading of assignments and reporting of course grades to the Office of the University Registrar.

• Participate in curriculum development when appropriate
• Mentor graduate teaching assistants and adjunct faculty
• Serve on student DSW committees, if qualified
• Review MSW applications for admission
• Serve as professional mentor to students
• Participate in faculty and school business meetings
• Serve on elected and appointed committees

Required Qualifications

all the above and at least 2 years of previous independent teaching experience, in person and/or remotely and at least 5 years of post-MSW practice experience in social work.

Associate Professor of the Practice: all the above and at least 5 years of previous independent teaching experience, in person and/or remotely and at least 8 years of post-MSW practice experience in social work.

Full Professor of the Practice: all the above and at least 5 years of previous independent teaching experience, in person and/or remotely and at least 15 years of post-MSW practice experience in social work.

Preferred Qualifications

Contact Information to Applicants

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application package will include:

• Online application
• Cover letter addressing interest in the position; alignment between the applicant’s practice and experiences, social work values, and the School of Social Welfare’s mission; candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and candidate’s anticipated contributions to KU and the SSW.
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Teaching, Mentoring, and Advising statement describing teaching philosophy with attention to DEI; evidence of responding to student feedback and evaluations; courses taught; interests in teaching at KU.
• List of three professional references

Only complete application packages submitted online will be considered. In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant’s contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU’s mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application:

• In your current and/or previous role, please provide an example outlining how you demonstrate your ongoing commitment to working with diverse groups/populations.

Review of applications will begin on February 28, 2024, and will continue as needed to collect a pool of qualified applicants. First-round interviews are tentatively scheduled to occur in March 2024. To ensure consideration, applicants should apply before application review begins on February 28, 2024.

Application Review Begins

28-Feb-2024

Anticipated Start Date

18-Aug-2024

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Advertised Salary Range

Commensurate with experience

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.