JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Assistant Professor of Law and Government
DIVISION | DEPARTMENT: Social Sciences Division | School of Education and Social Sciences
FLSA STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt
REPORTS TO: Chair, Social Sciences Division
The Assistant Professor of Law and Government is a full-time non-tenured faculty position requiring a strong academic background specifically in more than one area of law. The Assistant Professor of Law and Government shall be primarily responsible for delivering high-quality undergraduate instruction across the Law and Government curriculum-spanning political science, public administration, and legal studies-as well as advising students and contributing to departmental and university service.
Essential Functions
- Teach a full course load (four courses per semester) of undergraduate Law and Government courses, including American Government, Constitutional Law, Public Administration, State and Local Government, Political Theory, and other related courses.
- Develop, update, and revise course syllabi, learning materials, and assessments aligned with departmental learning outcomes and university accreditation standards.
- Deliver instruction using effective pedagogical methods across in-person, hybrid, and/or online modalities as assigned.
- Advise and mentor undergraduate students, including academic planning, pre-law and graduate school preparation, and career pathway guidance in public service, government, and law.
- Maintain regular and consistent office hours for student consultation.
- Participate in departmental, school, and university governance through committee service.
- Support recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives consistent with the university's mission.
- Engage in community outreach, civic engagement, and public policy service activities that advance FMU's mission as an HBCU.
- Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to support interdisciplinary programming, general education goals, and program assessment.
- Submit grades, attendance records, and all required documentation by university deadlines.
- Engage in professional development activities to remain current in the discipline.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chair of Social Sciences or the Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Manage, prioritize, and accomplish multiple tasks/projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
- Effective analytical and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills.
- Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse constituents.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Proficient in MS Office Suite, and LinkedIn Learning.
- Proficient in using data in assessment and decision making.
- Ability to foster a collaborative academic environment and cross-disciplinary initiative.
- Commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, scholarship, service, and professional development.
- Attention to detail, adaptability, and dependability to a changing environment is extremely important.
- Familiarity with Jenzabar technology suite for higher education.
- Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
Minimum Requirements
- An earned Ph.D. in Political Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field, or a J.D. in Law, from a regionally accredited institution and 18 graduate credit hours in the teaching area (ABD candidates nearing completion may be considered; degree must be conferred prior to the start date).
- The ability to provide quality instruction in Law and Government.
- The potential for peer reviewed research, scholarly and/or creative accomplishment by representing the University in Law and Government.
- The potential to have a positive impact through service that represents the University on campus and within the greater community.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching undergraduate courses in political science, government, public administration, or law.
- Experience teaching in higher education.
- Commitment to the mission of an HBCU and to serving a diverse student population.
- Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule that may include working nights and weekends (if applicable).
Preferred Requirements
- Specialization in American government, public administration, constitutional or public law, public policy, or comparative politics, or a related field.
- Prior teaching experience at a college or university, particularly at an HBCU or minority-serving institution.
- Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, or accreditation processes.
- Familiarity with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle).
- Experience with active learning strategies, inclusive pedagogy, or hybrid/online course design.
- Ability to teach interdisciplinary courses that complement programs in Criminal Justice, History, or Pre-Law.
- Experience supervising internships or advising co-curricular activities such as moot court, mock trial, or Model United Nations / model government programs.
- Record of professional development, conference participation, or scholarly activity in political science, public administration, or law.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.