Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of Practice Education, WWU-Peninsulas

Position Title Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of Practice Education, WWU-Peninsulas About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About WWU- Peninsulas, the Department and the College 

The WWU-Peninsulas program is located on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, with academic centers in Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Port Angeles, WA. WWU is ranked #10 in the Top Public Universities in the West and #24 of the Best Colleges in Regional Universities West, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

About Western Washington University-Peninsulas:

The mission of Western Washington University - Peninsulas is to empower individuals and communities across the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas through high-quality, accessible, higher education. At WWU Peninsulas, we provide diverse pathways to academic excellence and career success through innovative programs and partnerships with Olympic College and Peninsula College. We aim to foster a culture of lifelong learning and economic vitality through aligning our curriculum with the evolving needs of the region and prioritizing engagement with local industries. We strive to cultivate leaders who will positively impact the social, cultural, and economic landscape of the Peninsulas and beyond which includes a commitment to equity, inclusivity, and community collaboration. While WWU Peninsulas currently offers a suite of 10+ Bachelor’s degree programs, the Master’s of Social Work Program will be the first graduate level program offered at WWU Peninsulas.

The new Master of Social Work program resides within the Health and Community Studies (HCS) Department of Woodring College of Education, which is located on our Main Campus in Bellingham, WA. This arrangement will provide rich opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement with other professional programs. Woodring College is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive community of learners. The faculty, staff, and students pursue a shared vision to foster "community relationships and a culture of learning that advance knowledge, honor diversities, and promote social justice." The College thus seeks leaders in their professions who have experience working in culturally diverse communities and can contribute to building a more just and inclusive society.

Woodring College of Education (WCE) supports Western's mission and is committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds with diverse experiences interested to apply for this  opportunity. The WCE vision statement identifies the college as dedicated to fostering community relationships and a culture of learning that advances knowledge, embraces diversity, and promotes social justice.

 

About the Position

Western Washington University (WWU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the new MSW program in the Peninsulas. The position is a 9-month academic year assignment. Summer teaching is optional. The desired start date is September 16, 2026.

The assigned work location for this position will be Bremerton, WA or Poulsbo, WA.

In addition to their primary assignment as faculty, the successful candidate will also initially serve as the Director of Practice Education for the MSW Program primarily serving the people and communities of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. This candidate will be responsible for the implementation, supervision, and assessment of all functions of the practicum experience. This includes students' placement in and progress through all practice education courses, agency selection, assignment of students according to clear criteria, and monitoring of student progress toward completion of practicum requirements. This appointment as Director and the attendant teaching release time will be subject to periodic review by the Chair and Dean based on programmatic needs.

The MSW program will be offered in an online modality with the option of growing into a hybrid offering as the program is established and grows.  The ideal candidate will help promote the vision of Woodring College (as outlined most recently in its Strategic Plan) and  the HCS Department program.

The Director of Practice Education will have at least 50% course release to meet the requirements of the accrediting agency CSWE (Council on Social Work Education). The ideal candidate will also help promote the vision of Woodring College (as outlined most recently in its Strategic Plan) and the HCS Department. The mission flowing from that vision is grounded in regional needs and developed through academic and practice partnerships.

Once the program is established, the selected candidate will teach in the MSW program across the curriculum at various systemic level. The candidate will also be expected to engage in scholarship endeavors and participate in activities serving the university and community. The candidate will participate in activities serving the department, such as student advising, and contributing to departmental decisions.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions: 
Administration of Field Education

• Find, select, cultivate and grow field practicum sites that offer excellent student experiences.
• Meet regularly either face-to-face on-site or online, with community partners.
• Meet regularly face-to-face on-site with WWU-P staff, faculty,  and practicum partners to support Peninsulas students
• Attend community meetings on a regularly to strengthen collaboration with field sites.
• Train and supervise field faculty in their field liaison roles.
• Recruit new field sites and monitor the overall success of MSW students in the field.
• Maintain relationships with current and potential field agencies through regular visits on site, completing one site visit per quarter per student per agency
• Coordinate efforts to arrange for practicums for MSW students.
• Develop and assess new and existing practicum sites for MSW students.
• Develop and review MOUs with new and existing agency sites.
• Develop and review and regularly update policies and procedures and handbooks for MSW practicums.
• Train and monitor new and existing seminar instructors who teach MSW field practicum seminars.
• Develop training seminars for new and continuing field instructors/supervisors to be delivered once a year.
• Administer and collect program assessment instruments to be completed by field instructor/supervisor.
• Draft letters to field instructors/supervisors to confirm practicum, provide learning agreements, evaluation forms, syllabus for practicum seminar and other pertinent information.
• Assess and manage student progress through MSW practicum instructors and field supervisors.
• Where applicable serve as a mediator to resolve conflict between a student and an agency if unable to be resolved at the course, program or agency level.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or ABD at time of application in Social Work or related field (PhD, DSW, ABD). If ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15th of the first year of employment, e.g., June 15, 2027.
• MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• Minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience
• Record of scholarly activities in the field of social work
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or relevant clinical license
• Record of successful teaching, scholarship, administrative experience, and community service
• Knowledge of and/or experience in curriculum and faculty development
• Knowledge of and/or experience in evaluation of instructional personnel and programs
• Prior experience as Director of Field Practicum
• Knowledge of social service context and agencies in the United States, especially within the state of Washington and the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.

Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary

The starting salary range for an assistant professor appointment, tenure-track, is generally between $74,000-$80,000, with placement within the position's salary range based on qualifications and professional experience.  The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $74,000-$95,500, with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments. 

Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines. Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

 

Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions

Bargaining Unit

 United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

The following materials are required:

• Application Letter:  a letter of application that addresses how you meet the required qualifications for the position and any of the preferred qualifications, your ability and commitment to fulfill the position's responsibilities, and examples of how you are aligned with the program's mission and vision.
• Vita: full curriculum vitae.
• Teaching Statement (max two pages): a separate statement of your teaching experience and/or interests, including evidence of effective teaching and working with students who are traditionally underserved (teaching evaluations, your teaching philosophy, etc.).
• Research and Scholarship Statement (max two pages):  a separate detailed statement of your scholarly research interests, projects, and plans.
• References: Please provide names and contact information for three references, from whom reference letters may be requested and/or who may be contacted as a reference.

Questions about the position can be directed to the search chair Danny Carroll at carrold@wwu.edu and current department chair Devyani Chandran at chandrd@wwu.edu 

Closing Date Notes

Application review begins April 6, 2026; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.