"BSW Practicum Education Director (non-tenured faculty)"

Responsibilities

Reporting to the BSW Program Director, the BSW Director of Practicum Education is responsible for placing approximately 15 – 30 BSW students in a variety of social work agency settings across Mecklenburg County, the city of Charlotte, and surrounding areas. The practicum program represents a dynamic partnership with community agencies and committed practicum instructors committed to the education of our students by agreeing to participate.

This position will be a non-tenure track faculty position in the Department of Social Work. The Director of BSW Practicum Education oversees curriculum and policies for BSW practicum education and directs operations for practicum education, to include agency recruitment and selection; practicum instructor, liaison, and student orientation and training; student placement and assignment; monitoring student progress; addressing problems; and student evaluations. The Director hires, supervises, and leads a team of practicum coordinators and liaisons. The Director represents the interests of practicum education in curriculum committees and other administrative bodies within and outside the Department of Social Work, and works as a collaborative partner with BSW and MSW Program Directors, the Chair(s) of the Department of Social Work, the Office of Student Success, and faculty in efforts to continuously innovate and improve the social work education curriculum, support student learning, and assure compliance with CSWE, Department, and University policy and standards.

This position also requires collaborative, proactive and continuous interface with community partners to enhance the BSW Program’s connection with the local practice community as well as gather input on practicum education initiatives and strategies. Additionally, the Director of BSW Practicum Education will collaborate with other administrative leaders in the Department of Social Work to cultivate a climate of inclusion among students, proactively communicating and addressing concerns, problems, and issues. The Director position is a faculty position, and while primarily administrative, will entail teaching responsibilities as assigned.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Student recruitment and advising.
• Visit practicum sites and maintain relationships with Practicum Instructors.
• The recruitment, maintenance, and review of community agencies for student practicum placements.
• The training of practicum instructors and their agencies.
• The development and promotion of practicum placement processes.
• Practicum oversight including liaison responsibilities.
• The evaluation of practicum student learning and practicum setting effectiveness, including meetings.
• Program monitoring, analysis, and assessments.

The Department of Social Work offers both a BSW degree and an MSW degree. The successful applicant must have the ability to teach in two or more Social Work content areas in the BSW Program. The Director of BSW Practicum Education should be committed to innovative teaching. Additionally, the successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for teaching and mentoring undergraduates, leadership skills, strong interpersonal skills, and administrative experience, as well as demonstrate the potential for graduate instruction.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This position requires daily contact with co-workers, supervisors, students, faculty, and staff in order to disseminate necessary information and coordinate daily operations. These relationships are maintained through person-to-person contact primarily via video conferencing technology, phone, and e-mail.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants must have the following required qualifications:

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program and a minimum of 5 years of post-master’s professional social work experience; candidates with a PhD are preferred.
• Experience as a practicum supervisor and/or practicum liaison;
• Knowledge of CSWE accreditation and curriculum standards as well as best practices in practicum education;
• Experience teaching social work education courses;
• Ability to make effective decisions in complex, time-sensitive situations;
• Capacity to be personable, collaborative, and team oriented;
• Strong written and oral communicator;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and foster connections with community partners, particularly in the Charlotte, NC area;
• Commitment to academic excellence and integrity;
• Commitment to the values, ethics, and mission of the social work profession;
• Passion for practicum education and working directly with students;
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial, social, and economic justice;
• Strong leadership skills integrated with the ability to work collaboratively;
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at Johnson C. Smith University.
• Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.

Supplemental Information

Finalists for this position are subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

Files to be submitted are 1) Letter of Application; 2) Curriculum Vitae; 3) Statement of Teaching Philosophy; 4) Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended (official transcripts will be required of all finalists); 5) Three signed Letters of Recommendation on letterhead from individuals familiar with the candidate's teaching abilities are also required. Send letters of recommendation to kgray@jcsu.edu.