Assistant Dean/Director for Field Education and Associate Teaching Professor

The University of Washington School of Social Work seeks an Associate Teaching Professor who will serve as its assistant dean/director of field education and who will serve as a visionary, synergic, and inclusive leader dedicated to social equity and justice.  This appointment will be effective no later than September 16, 2023.

This administrative and faculty position is non-tenure track and promotion eligible.  It has a 9-month service period, multi-year (3-to-5-year) renewable) contract at 100% FTE, with up to 2.5 paid months of summer salary based on curricular and administrative need. The assistant dean/director is a member of the Office of Field Education and school faculty and is administratively responsible for the Office of Field Education and for providing a vision with concomitant leadership in field education. The base salary range for this position will be $8200 - $9500 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

The school’s mission is to promote social and economic justice for poor and oppressed populations. Central to the work of Field Faculty is professional relationship-building with students, field instructors, practicum sites, administrators, OFE colleagues, and the SSW faculty community, with the goal of fostering a collaborative and impactful field experiences that aligns with SSW values and CSWE guidelines. Field Faculty members assess the educational and professional development needs of students, provide mentorship, and advise BASW and MSW students in their field education settings. Field Faculty coordinate all aspects of student field placements and serve as liaisons for Field Instructors at community-based practicum sites. Field Instructors are provided support, orientation, and training in field education knowledge and skills, to assure both the quality of the student’s educational experience as well as the Field Instructor’s professional development as field instructor-educators. The assistant dean/director of field education inspires and supports the continued excellence of field faculty, Office of Field Education staff, field education agencies, and practicum/field instructors focused on fulfilling a quality learning experience for social work students in our BASW and MSW programs.

We seek a candidate who will be an effective administrator and who will provide leadership in field education, culturally responsive practice, and practice-based learning in social work education. The successful candidate will be expected to work creatively and collaboratively to develop strategic perspectives on field education and advance the  integration of classroom and field instruction in our educational curriculum. Positive factors for consideration include, but are not limited to, a PhD or Doctorate in Social Work (DSW), and an LICSW.

Responsibilities:

The position serves in a leadership role at the School, working closely with other educational programs, faculty, staff, and students to advance the mission of the School as well as the role of field education in the curriculum. In addition, the assistant dean/director partners with local agencies to further enhance UW’s engagement in the community and increases the number of partnerships for social work student practicum placements, represents the school and unit in local and national forums, and participates in faculty governance. The assistant dean/director provides leadership for shared curriculum development at the BASW and MSW levels and supports the School in adhering to the CSWE Educational and Policy Accreditation Standards (EPAS).

The School is one of the professional schools within the UW Health Sciences, and the assistant dean/director works on initiatives and projects that promote interprofessional collaborations with other health science units. The assistant dean/director of field education represents the School with other units and projects across the UW Seattle campus and the UW system. They will also work in close partnership with the UW Tacoma School of Social Work and Criminal Justice.

The assistant dean/director will be expected to lead the Office of Field Education with vision and creativity, leveraging a strong sense of new possibilities and emerging challenges using a cooperative approach and entrepreneurial outlook; to organize and motivate teams; and to support and promote the Office of Field Education in the broader context of the School of Social Work and the community at large.

SSW Faculty are committed to anti-racism and to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. The assistant dean/director leads efforts to increase opportunity for BIPOC students, faculty, staff and community agencies from other marginalized groups (sexual and gender minorities, people with disabilities). The UW School of Social Work is dedicated to preparing professional social workers through rigorous, community-engaged, critically reflexive research, teaching, and learning. The program is grounded in our commitment to racial, economic, gender, and social justice informed by and for those at the social margins of our local, national, and global communities. The assistant dean/director advances this agenda.

Qualifications

An MSW from a CSWE accredited program or foreign equivalent

Five years of full-time post-MSW practice experience in any area of social work

At least three years of experience as a field instructor, supervising MSW or BSW students as interns, volunteers, or in other training capacities

Expertise working with historically marginalized and diverse communities

A background in anti-racist, anti-oppressive social work practice and working with local community agencies, government programs, or potential/actual practicum or field sites

Must demonstrate a record of teaching, research, and administrative leadership in field education and social work

Expertise with teaching, training, facilitating group discussions or seminars, with both students and peer professionals

Please submit the following application materials:

1. Cover letter with statement of interest. Please state the reasons for your interest in the position, and address the ways your qualifications, experience and background fit the duties and qualifications for the position as listed in this position announcement.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Three to Five confidential letters of recommendation through Interfolio.
4. Teaching Statement
5. A diversity statement: a brief statement on how your teaching, research and/or service contribute to diversity through scholarship or by improving access to higher education for underrepresented individuals or groups