"Faculty Field Liaisons"

Department Summary

The School of Social Work at San José State University is seeking and hiring Faculty Field Liaisons (FFLs) to serve in our BASW and MSW Programs (on-campus and online). We desire a colleague and team member who is qualified, motivated, committed, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented, and who has a passion to educate social work students. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic, mutually-supportive faculty and an academic program that has earned a reputation for excellence over its 50+ year history within the California State University system. The School of Social Work offers MSW (on-campus, hybrid/online, and advanced standing) and BASW degrees, and additional training and certificate programs such as those in Title IV-E Child Welfare, Integrated Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC). Both our MSW and BASW programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The School of Social Work at San José State University recently reached its 50th Anniversary and is currently the largest social work program by enrollment in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our Transcultural Perspective is at the heart of our mission, we are committed to social justice and to addressing the changing needs of diverse communities through education, research, and service. Please visit our School of Social Work website (www.sjsu.edu/socialwork) and the SJSU catalog (https://catalog.sjsu.edu/) for more details about our programs and curriculum.

A Faculty Field Liaison (FFL) position is equivalent to approximately 50% to 100% time (depending on interest and availability) in the BASW and/or MSW program. There are variations depending on whether the FFL is teaching BASW or MSW foundation or advanced year MSW field courses, as well as in online or on-campus formats. FFLs hired in the on-campus program are eligible for benefits; those hired in the online program are not eligible for benefits. Supervised by the Field Education Director, an FFL is responsible for supervising and directing cohesive and progressive educational experiences of students in field instruction. The liaison process implements the following goals:

• To develop and support a mechanism by which the School of Social Work can meet its primary responsibility for the student's education;
• To provide an educational context by which the School can nurture the development of professional leadership through student governance, educational experiences, and practice in the field;
• To provide a structure which has a preventive function regarding a student's educational problems, with the goal of equitable resolution of barriers in his/her learning.
• Build a respectful partnership with community patterns, agencies and student stakeholders

An FFL, as a faculty member of SJSU and the School of Social Work, is one of the key personnel who contributes to the overall education, training, and professional development of our students in the context of the field practicum and its integral part of our overall curriculum. FFLs work a variety of schedules to accommodate the needs of the School and students, but generally during weekday office hours. As an FFL, attendance at field education program meetings and School- related events is expected.

Brief Description of Duties

• Work collaboratively with the School in its education and training of students, specifically with the Field Education office;
• Perform faculty and teaching duties including advising, posting of office hours and contact information, completing all necessary procedures for hiring, evaluation, and other duties; leading field seminars, overseeing and grading student field assignments, and assigning and reporting final grades;
• Ensure maximum productive learning opportunities for the student;
• Assist with curricular design and improvements
• Be available and attend Field office events;
• Attend meetings with Field Education Director as needed to address student or placement concerns;
• Attend mandatory Field Faculty Meetings, once a month;
• Complete InPlace documentation and obtain signatures from FIs and Students in a timely manner;
• Address agency partnership concerns, complaints and challenges;
• Adhere to the School of Social Work policies and procedures regarding grading, Notice of Concern, Fitness for Profession and Professional Standards Committee;
• Address and manage student and agency concerns in a timely manner and complete all necessary administrative tasks associated with resolution;
• Visit the agency a minimum of 1 to 2 times each academic year; more if needed. At the time of the agency visit, the Faculty Field Liaison will meet with the student, review records, process recordings, InPlace documentation completion, and/or other materials produced by the student, and meet with the Field Instructor. The three meet to evaluate the student’s progress and for the resolution of differences or to clarify expectations;
• Work collaboratively with agencies and respective Field Instructors (FIs), including the instruction, supervision, evaluation of the student; consult with the FI and student in the development of the learning contract goals, expectations, and assignments; maintain an ongoing relationship with the Field Instructor and student for the purpose of evaluating the student's progress and the quality of the field instruction;
• Assure that the placement provides the appropriate educational experiences, which will meet CSWE accreditation standards, the BASW and MSW Program standards, and proper implementation of academic policies and curriculum, and assist in the solution of problematic situations, which may arise;
• Ensure that students complete University onboarding requirements, waivers, and Driving/Home Visit policy and other University Risk Management obligations.
• Work with the School and the Field Education office to anticipate, assess, and resolve problems regarding field education, internships, and/or students;
• Respond to student, faculty and Field Office inquiries in a timely manner.
• When working with first year students, prepare and assist with the final year placement process;
• Provide ongoing feedback to the Director of Field Education concerning the quality of agency placement and student's performance in the field, and for monitoring and updating data about agencies;
• In collaboration with the Assistant Field Education Director and/or the Field Education Director, assist in the review process of potential field placement sites. Tasks may include gathering information from agency representatives, visiting the field placement site, and making approval or rejection recommendations to the Field Education Office.
• To participate in orientations, trainings, seminars, and other BASW and MSW Program events in the capacity of planner, group leader, and facilitator in support of the School to enable students to become self-directed; professionals and to understand the BASW and MSW Programs’ curricular goals, purpose, and mission;
• Other duties consistent with the roles of a faculty member.
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advisement.
• Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• All classes must be offered and meet as scheduled throughout the entire semester or term, in the mode assigned and listed in the schedule of classes (i.e., asynchronous, synchronous, bichronous, in-person, or hybrid).

Required Qualifications

• Professional, responsible, and dependable;
• Has an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program; additional certification, i.e., LCSW, PPSC, etc. preferred;
• 2 years of post-MSW social work experience; prior supervisory and/or teaching experience required; 5 years post MSW experience preferred;
• Ability to interface with students in-person as well as online and interact in an online community environment;
• Good communication and people skills;
• Basic computer and software knowledge and skills (i.e., MS Office Suite, LMS, Zoom);
• Skills with and/or ability to learn computer systems and software, and multimedia skills (i.e., PeopleSoft, Canvas, InPlace, Qualtrics, Financial Transaction Services, Google Applications
• Ability to work in teams and independently;
• Ability to prioritize and manage volume of work;
• Ability to interact and collaborate effectively and professionally with university, community, and agency personnel.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching and other comparable experience.

Compensation

Compensation and salary range placement are determined by qualifications and experience. To learn more about range placement, please see University Policy S21-2. Anticipated hiring ranges:

L-A / Range 2 - $5507 - $5959
L-B / Range 3 - $6221 - $7481
L-C / Range 4 - $6825 - $9431
L-D / Range 5 - $8593 - $10347

Ranges are the anticipated monthly salary rate of full-time AY faculty--part-time rates are prorated. There are 6 monthly payments per semester (full-time AY annual salary = rate x 12). See the Faculty Salary Schedule for more information.

Application Procedure

To apply for this position please email a cover letter describing your interest and a resume to Dr. Peter Allen Lee at peter.a.lee@sjsu.edu with “Field Faulty Liaison” in the subject line. Attach the following documents:

• CV
• Cover Letter, including explanation of interest, teaching philosophy, and relevant experience
• List of at least three (3) or as many as five (5) references

Please submit these materials indicating your interest by June 13, 2025; applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by the due date. Applications received after the first screening date will be considered at the discretion of the university. If you are selected, you will be instructed to follow the SJSU application and hiring procedures.