Assistant Professor of Social Work

General Description/Primary

Purpose:

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work is seeking a 9‑month, tenure‑earning Assistant Professor of Social Work. The position responsibilities include 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. Candidates must demonstrate a 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.

Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the UNF Social Work Program’s mission and articulate how their research, teaching, and community engagement contribute to this mission.

Applicants must describe experience working with, teaching, and/or mentoring students with diverse levels of preparation. The candidate will also maintain an active research agenda, publish in peer‑reviewed outlets, secure external 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 needed to provide effective social work services to diverse client systems in a variety of practice settings. Our curriculum is aligned with CSWE’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Faculty at UNF are on flexible teaching loads, typically teaching four to six courses per year. Newly hired faculty are on a reduced load of two courses per semester for the first three years, with continued reduced loads possible for significant accomplishments aligned with the university’s strategic plan. Startup funds are available and negotiable.

Supervisor:
Dr. Gordon Rakita, Department Chair.

Working Hours:

Varies. This is not a supervisory role.

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

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

• Current curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Name, phone number, and email address of three professional references (requested during the review stage)
• Official transcripts and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations documenting the conferral of qualifying academic credentials by the date of hire
• Additional documents may be required based on responses to the Foreign Influence Review questions, including Passport (all pages) and Form DS‑160 (if ever submitted; otherwise submit 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:

Submit an online application at this link including all required documents.

For questions about this position, contact Dr. Jennifer Spaulding‑Givens at j.spaulding-givens.

The position is within an interdisciplinary department comprising 20 full‑time faculty across undergraduate programs in Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work. The Department also houses the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives. Applicants are expected to demonstrate potential for impact in research, teaching, and community engagement. For more information about the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work visit our department site.

Anticipated

Start Date:

August 3, 2026.

Required Licensure: N/A Supervisor:
Dr. Gordon Rakita Supervision Exercised:
This is not a supervisory role

Dr. Jennifer Spaulding‑Givens, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity, U.S. Department of Labor Contracts Email: j.spaulding-givens