Assistant Professor of Social Work

Department
Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work, Chair

Compensation
$71,500.00 to Negotiable Annual

General Description/Primary Purpose:

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work is seeking a 9-month, tenure earning, Assistant Professor of Social Work. Position responsibilities include the following: teaching two courses each semester, maintaining an active research agenda, and engaging in meaningful service to the Department, University, and discipline.

UNF faculty are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic excellence in all phases of instruction, research/scholarship/creative activity, and service. The successful candidate will teach courses in areas including theory, multicultural social work practice, advanced generalist practice, and advanced practice electives. Successful candidates must demonstrate the commitment and capability to provide an excellent learning environment to students, work with student-centered methods of instruction, and contribute to the continuing development and implementation of curricular content. Further, applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the UNF Social Work Program's mission and articulate how their research, teaching, and community engagement contributes to this mission.

Applicants must describe their experience working with, teaching, and/or mentoring students with different levels of preparation and/or a variety of prior academic experiences. In addition to teaching, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active research agenda, including publishing in peer-reviewed outlets and securing external research funding, and make meaningful service contributions to the Department, University, and discipline. Areas of research and teaching expertise are open; successful candidates will expand on the program faculty's existing expertise and course offerings.

This campus-based, in-person position will serve the Department's CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs. The mission of the UNF Social Work program is to prepare students with the generalist knowledge, values, and skills to provide effective social work services to diverse client systems in a variety of practice settings, and our curriculum is aligned with CSWE's 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. We seek applicants whose scholarship includes advancement of human rights and social, racial, economic, and/or environmental justice.

Faculty at UNF are on flexible teaching loads, typically teaching between four to six courses per year, with newly hired faculty on a reduced load of two courses per semester for the first three years. Continued reduced teaching loads may be offered to faculty demonstrating significant accomplishments aligned with the university's strategic plan (https://www.unf.edu/strategic-plan/index.html). Startup funds are available and negotiable.

Supervisor: This position will report to the Department Chair, Dr. Gordon Rakita.

Working Hours: Varies

Supervision Exercised: This is not a supervisory role.

Required Licensure: N/A

Anticipated Start Date: The position is expected to begin on August 3, 2026.

Required Qualifications:

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited program
• Two or more years of post-MSW practice experience
• Earned a Doctorate in Social Work by the employment start date
• Experience teaching at the university level

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

• Clinical experience
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) in Florida (or equivalent license)

Additional Application Materials Required:

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following required documents:

• Current curriculum vitae
• Cover letter

Name, phone number, and email address of three professional references will be requested during the application review stage.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials by the date of hire.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants may be required to upload additional documents based on their responses to the Foreign Influence Review questions.

• Passport (all pages including blank pages) and
• Form DS-160 (if ever submitted. If not, upload an explanation)

Application Review Date: Initial review of applications will begin on February 2, 2026.

Job Posting Close Date: Open until filled.

How to Apply: Applicants must submit an online application that includes all required application documents. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Jennifer Spaulding-Givens at j.spaulding-givens@unf.edu.

About the Department: The position is within an interdisciplinary department comprised of 20 full-time faculty across undergraduate programs in Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work. The Department also houses the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives. It is expected that applicants will demonstrate clear evidence of potential for impact in research, teaching, and community engagement. For more information about the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work visit: https://www.unf.edu/coas/sasw/index.html.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a "Responsible Employee" pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University's Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator
Pursuant to Florida Statute 1010.35, this position requires additional information from all applicants seeking research or research-related positions prior to an interview or offer of employment. Applicants MUST fully complete the Foreign Influence Review section of their application. Additional documents (e.g., passport) may be required based on form responses.

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University's collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF's mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.