Job description
Job no: 514908
Classification: Term Assistant Professor (F9)
Grade: UNAC Grade 30
Work type: Faculty Full-time
Administrative Unit: University of Alaska Anchorage
School/Business unit: UAA College of Health
Location: Anchorage
Categories: Education/Instructional
Duties:
1. Continuously identify organizations that offer relevant and high quality practicum experiences to human service students and build a database of those organizations that can offer these experiences. 2. Build strong and positive working relationships with staff members in state, nonprofit and tribal human services organizations, and come to understand their workforce development needs. 3. Recruit relevant organizations and enlist them as practicum sites or as other sites involving experiential learning for human service students. 4. Orient students to the practicum requirements of degree programs, and ensure their understanding of requirements. 5. Understand the professional aspirations of students in human services and use this information in the placement process. 6. Train field instructors to ensure their understanding of human service practicum assignments, and strengthen the capacities of field instructors to serve effectively in their roles as practicum instructors. 7. Serve as the liaison to practicum sites ensuring that students have current and educationally relevant practicum plans. 8. Monitor placements ensuring that students are fulfilling their practicum plans. 9. Maintain data on students’ fulfillment of practicum experiences, expectations, hours, and learning objectives. 10. Evaluate annually the quality of the practicum experience from the perspectives of students, field instructors, and human service faculty members. 11. Develop and maintain a comprehensive plan for advancing the practicum program to address workforce needs within Alaska, and address current and emerging social issues, and current and emerging educational competencies in human services. 12. Work with students and faculty members to address discontinuities in the field instruction experience, and reach dispositions for these discontinuities.Essential
Purpose of Position
This position will increase the capacity of the UAA Department of Human Services to develop, improve, and sustain practicum assignments for students at the Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree levels. Alaska experiences elevated social indicators suggesting considerable need to expand and deepen its capacities for educating human service professionals for practice in child welfare, substance use treatment, community re-entry of people leaving incarceration, and social services for a range of people in need, including those who cope with intellectual, psychiatric, and/or developmental disabilities. The position will coordinate all activities pertaining to practicum, and will engage in the following:
The position will work with faculty, students, and field instructors to advance human service education, improve the practicum experience, and further develop the department’s model of practicum education. The incumbent will engage in teaching and instruction of social work students to advance their values, knowledge and core competencies preparing them for practice in public, nonprofit, and tribal human services, and create, sustain and strengthen practicum opportunities in human service organization serving diverse populations.
The incumbent of the position will work closely with state, nonprofit, and tribal providers of human services to strengthen human service education incorporating experiential learning that goes beyond practicum assignments for students. The scope of experiential learning can incorporate group projects, service learning, rotations in community settings, and brief educational opportunities orienting human service students to social issues facing Alaska and its communities.
Supervision and Workload
The position will serve as a regular faculty member of the UAA Department of Human Services, and will be responsible to the director of the UAA School of Social Work. The position will receive regular supervision from the director. Workload will incorporate coordination and
instructional responsibilities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of human service professional practicum opportunities in Alaska.
Coordination, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to teach students and advance their core values.
Knowledge and core competencies in public, nonprofit, and tribal human resources.
Ability to create, sustain, and strengthen practicum opportunities in human service organizations serving diverse populations.
Required Experience
At least three years working in a higher education environment with experience in human services education.
Experience in organizing and delivering practicum experiences for students in social, health, or human services.
Experience in working with culturally diverse and vulnerable populations.
Demonstrated background in working effectively with diverse students.
Education/Training
Graduate degree in humanities, social sciences, or helping professions with preference given to Ph.D.
Educational background in human services, nongovernmental organizations, and/or adult training.
How to apply
To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following documents to their online application:
Cover letter highlighting qualifications that meet the specific requirements of this position
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Names and contact information of three professional references
Position Information
Term, Assistant Professor rank, Full-Time, 9 months per year, salary will be based upon level of academic preparation and experience, and full employee benefits package (https://www.alaska.edu/jobs/benefits/)
Special Conditions of Employment
Successful applicant must provide official transcripts documenting academic credentials required for the position.
Must be eligible to work in the United States; no work visas are available for this position.
Review Date
July 19, 2020, 11:55 pm Alaska Standard Time
To ensure consideration, please apply prior to the review date.
Union Representation
This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC).
Term Position
This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University’s discretion.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.
Affirmative Action Statement
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination
Background Check
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Public Disclosure Statement
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.
University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free.
Training Policy
It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.
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The University of Alaska Anchorage is the state’s largest post-secondary institution. Located in the heart of Alaska's largest city, the campus is nestled in the middle of a greenbelt, surrounded by lakes, ponds and wildlife, and is connected to a city-wide trail system perfect for students’ active lifestyles.
