Department Chair, Social Work

Job Description

Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School is recruiting a Department Chair, Social Work for their Pacific Oaks College campus in Pasadena, California.

Pacific Oaks College and Children's School, located in Pasadena, California, is a nonprofit institution rooted in Quaker values and a strong social justice heritage. The College offers bachelor’s, master’s, a doctorate, and certificate programs in education, human development, counseling, and related fields, while the Children’s School is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in anti-bias education, emergent curriculum, and peaceful conflict resolution.

Together, they foster inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that honor the unique potential of every individual. Employees join a mission-driven community committed to respect, diversity, social justice, and lifelong learning.

Pacific Oaks College seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Social Work. This department offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs that prepare culturally responsive social workers committed to equity and social justice. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, students complete extensive supervised fieldwork alongside rigorous coursework designed to meet professional and regulatory standards.

The department is dedicated to fostering inclusive education, advancing research-informed practice, and preparing graduates for impactful careers in diverse communities.

The Department Chair serves as a member of the academic and administrative leadership team of Pacific Oaks College, managing programs within the assigned department and providing strategic and organizational leadership toward the development, support, assessment, and improvement of student learning outcomes. The Department Chair works closely with faculty, staff, and administration to promote the continuous improvement of programs and provides leadership to foster a collaborative and innovative educational environment.

• Provide strategic leadership by developing and executing a vision for the department that aligns with institutional goals and trends in higher education.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty, fostering professional growth and ensuring high-quality instruction and adherence to best practices.
• Oversee curriculum development and assessment, ensuring programs remain innovative, rigorous, and compliant with academic and regulatory standards.
• Manage departmental resources and budget, allocating funds effectively to support initiatives and growth.
• Teach and advise students, delivering engaging courses and supporting academic and professional development.
• Drive program development and external engagement, collaborating with stakeholders to expand offerings and strengthen community and industry partnerships.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education with evidence of effective management of academic initiatives, projects, or teams.
• Experience working with accreditation and regulatory requirements related to academic programs.
• A strong record of teaching excellence, service, and scholarship.
• Experience managing academic programs, maintaining and analyzing data, and developing presentations, reports, and other documents.
• Evidence of effective decision-making in collaborative settings.

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
• Experience with program review and online instructional delivery.
• Demonstrated success with state and professional accreditation agencies and regulators.
• Experience in faculty development and mentoring, with a clear record of supporting and enhancing faculty performance and growth.

This position is eligible for a combination of remote and onsite work, typically requiring in-person presence on designated days.

$79,000 - $94,800

Pacific Oaks College is committed to providing equal employment and…