Hiring Faculty Specialist II – Professional Specialist at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo

Faculty Specialist II – Professional Specialist

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work invites applications for an experienced and knowledgeable leader to fill a multifaceted role as a Faculty Specialist II-Professional Specialist. The Faculty Specialist II-Professional Specialist position is a full-time, tenure-track, fiscal year position, located on WMU’s East Campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This

position will have the role of MSW Director of Field Education and work closely with the Director of the School of Social Work (SOSW), the BSW Field Director, Social Work Faculty, Faculty Field Liaisons, Field Instructors, and Field Supervisors. Candidates should be highly motivated and passionate about teaching and monitoring social work competencies through the field experience by providing exceptional quality instruction and oversight.

MAJOR DUTIES:

In accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), the Faculty Specialist II’s role as the MSW Director of Field Education is responsible for providing leadership in the on-going development and implementation of the field education program at the graduate level, in accordance with field

education accreditation standards.

• Guides and coordinates all aspects of MSW field education and practicum experiences.
• Teaches and/or coordinates with the faculty teaching general and advanced field seminars and provides student advising related to MSW Field.
• Ensures compliance with all CSWE field education accreditation standards including development of the self-study.
• Maintains and implements field education graduate program requirements as instructed by the CSWE accreditation standards and by the School of Social Work’s specific program requirements.
• Ensures that field education policies and procedures are up to date and in compliance with all relevant standards.
• Collects, reviews, and processes field education related forms from foundation and advanced MSW students.
• Schedules and meets with field education applicants to orient students to the field education process and discuss field placement interests, career goals, and learning needs.
• Prepares students for field placements and monitors students during their practicum.
• Teaches or co-teaches field seminar courses.
• Recruits, builds rapport, and establishes partnerships, and maintains relationships with new organizations and agencies.
• Creates and oversees the establishment of contracts with practicum sites.
• Develops and implements evaluation instruments.
• Serves as the MSW Field Program contact and resource person for all field instructors and supervisors.
• Supervises the Field Liaisons, the field staff, and the field graduate student workers.
• Facilitates, in collaboration with the BSW Field Director, field instructor trainings, field appreciation day, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree from either an accredited US social work program, or from an international social work program eligible for CSWE competence equivalency (a supporting ISWDRES Equivalency Determination Letter is required).
• Two years of post-MSW social work practice experience.
• Experience in social work field education or as a social work field instructor or task supervisor.
• Knowledge of CSWE accreditation standards and EPAS requirements.
• Experience teaching or developing online courses, preferably in a social work program.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• University or college teaching experience.
• Administrative and professional training experience.
• Social work practice experience with diverse populations.
• Skills in using educational technologies (e.g., eLearning/D2L).
• Knowledge of database software management (e.g., IPT).
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Review of applications continue until position is filled.

Expected Starting Date: July 1, 2025

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

The position is open to US and international applicants who are committed to contributing to a strong global social work research agenda at Western Michigan University.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Cover Letter – Include information related to the reason for interest in the position, and a description of the qualifications, accomplishments, and professional experiences related to the position.

2. Curriculum Vitae – Include information related to, but not limited to, education, work history, leadership and mentorship experience, teaching history, research, and scholarship, grantsmanship.

3. International Social Work Degree Recognition & Evaluation Service (ISWDRES) Equivalency Determination Letter – Required when the BSW degree was awarded outside of the US (https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/scopeandservices/international-degree-review/application-instructions)

4. List of References – three professional references, including names, titles, telephone number/s, and postal & e-mail addresses.

EXPECTED START DATE: July 1, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION LINK: https://www.wmujobs.org/postings/3417

University: Western Michigan University, a learner centered, discovery driven, and globally engaged public research university enrolls more than 23,000 students from 100 nations around the globe. WMU has been designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of 147 public institutions in the nation with high or very high research activity.

The College: The College of Health and Human Services is located in a 195,000 square foot building with state-of-the-art teaching technologies and spacious research laboratories. The college enrolls nearly 3,000 students, with more than a third of those at the graduate level. In addition to the School of Social Work, the college includes programs in blindness and low vision studies, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, speech, language and hearing sciences, holistic health care, alcohol and drug abuse, interdisciplinary health services, public health, and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary health sciences. Five of these programs are consistently in the top 100 ranked programs in their respective disciplines.

The college has received a number of grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Department of Education. In 2020, the college received a $1.5M appropriation to open the Resiliency Center for Families and Children located in collaboration with our interprofessional Unified Clinics. The college also operates the Unified Clinics, a multidisciplinary service/training clinic. Learn more about our growing college at https://wmich.edu/hhs including our statement on race and anti-racism at https://wmich.edu/hhs/antiracism. The College of Health and Human Services is preparing professionals today to transform health and human services tomorrow.

Department/School: The School of Social Work offers both a BSW and an MSW program, with teaching sites in Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids). As a mid-sized public university, the School serves approximately 250 BSW students and 200 MSW students. At the MSW level, the program offers two concentrations-Clinical Social Work and Policy, Planning, and Administration-along with four specializations and certificates: School Social Work, Trauma Across the Lifespan, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Child Welfare. The School embraces the full diversity of social work practice and populations.

With a strong history of teaching excellence, the School aims to further develop research and scholarship leadership among its faculty. The School is also home to the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare. Social Work faculty members have secured external funding in areas such as behavioral health training, substance abuse, child welfare, children’s trauma, and services for youth and young adults with a history in foster care. Collectively, the faculty advance social, economic, and environmental justice through social work education and collaboration with community stakeholders.

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package.

Chair of Search committee: Don Cooney, PhD ([email protected]) and Mioara Diaconu, PhD ([email protected])

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

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