Instructor, Social Work

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Instructor, Social Work Department Sociology & Social Work Division Provost Terms and Hours Full Time Faculty on a 9-month academic year assignment Salary Range The 2026-2027 salary for a first-year instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences is $60,622. Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, and retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of continuous full time employment. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Job Summary

The University of Portland located in Portland, Oregon, USA invites applications for a faculty position as an Instructor in the Department of Sociology and Social Work to begin August 15, 2026.

The University of Portland is a primarily undergraduate institution comprising four professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), which houses our strong liberal arts Core Curriculum, required of all students. The University Core provides students in all disciplines a unifying set of experiences and promotes engagement with the Six Core Habits of Heart and Mind, which include "Global & Historical Consciousness" and "Diversity & the Common Good."

The Dorothy Day Social Work Program, located in the Department of Sociology and Social Work, educates students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, organizations, and communities and has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 2003.

The College of Arts and Sciences is strongly committed to recruiting faculty with a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences to reflect and support our increasingly diverse student body. As the oldest and largest unit within the University of Portland, we have a unique role to play in advancing campus-wide goals with regard to inclusive excellence. Furthermore, as a Catholic (Holy Cross) institution, it is our mission to support and develop our students as whole people by engaging their heads, hearts, and hands and to affirm the dignity and worth of all people. We seek employees who are likewise committed to promoting an environment of inclusive excellence and celebration of difference, and who can contribute to our goals through their teaching, research, mentoring, and other activities.

Core Duties

University of Portland faculty teach, advise and serve the department, the College, and the University. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching, including attention to evidence-based instructional practices in the context of a primarily undergraduate teaching institution.

The successful candidate will teach in-person social work courses in the BSW program. Teaching responsibilities include four 3-credit hour courses (or equivalent) per semester.

Education & Experience

• Required: M.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited program or a CASWE-accredited degree recognized through an MOU with CSWE.
• Required: At least two years of post-MSW degree practice experience in social work.
• Required: Experience teaching or training in social work or a related field, including college level instruction and/or community or agency based teaching, supervision, or curriculum development involving college students.
• Required: Experience and ability to teach one or more required social work courses, including Interviewing Skills, Power/Oppression, Generalist Practice, Social Policy, Internship.
• Preferred: Knowledge of and experience facilitating experiential and community engaged learning, particularly in the areas of migration and displacement; social, economic, and environmental justice; and/or community health, through the lens of social work community based praxis.
• Preferred: A specialized practice area that demonstrates expertise in a specific area of social work practice (such as Public Health, Mental Health, Migration and Displacement, Policy Practice, Gerontology, etc.)
• Preferred: Knowledge of and experience with Portland-area human services and community-based organizations.

Certifications & Licenses

• None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to social work professional values and ethics and alignment with the mission of the Dorothy Day Social Work Program.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in inclusive and student-centered teaching.
• Strong orientation towards continued learning and applying learning in the teaching environment.
• Evidence of a commitment to undergraduate teaching and student mentoring.
• Evidence of organizational skills, including attention to detail, proactive planning, and time management.
• Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Commitment to collegial collaboration (e.g., teaching or service) both within the department and across the University.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and effectively handle sensitive and personal information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others as necessary.
• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.

Working Condition

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects or class schedules.
• Stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Work Standards

• Respect for the University's mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University's mission statement states in relevant part: "we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world." The University's Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: "Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity."
• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number F069-2025 Estimated Start Date 08/15/2026 Open Date 04/17/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled No Special Instructions Summary

The documents needed to apply include the following:

• Curriculum vitae

• Cover letter (up to 2 pages) that addresses:

• Your professional background and teaching experience.

• Evidence of effective and inclusive teaching and mentoring, including examples that illustrate knowledge, skills, and abilities related to advancing inclusive excellence.

• Collaborative and relational skills.

• How you can support the University of Portland mission.

• Names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks at a later stage of the hiring process.

Inquiries about this position can be made to the department chair, Dr. Bryan Rookey at rookey@up.edu. For full consideration, applications must be received by May 8, 2026. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above; finalists may be asked to submit additional materials such as syllabi or student evaluations at a later date. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.

The University of Portland is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

A background investigation check is required before final hiring procedures can be completed for all faculty and staff positions.

For those requiring a reasonable accommodation to apply: Applicants who have a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the application or hiring process should contact the University's Human Resources Office at hr@up.edu or (503) 943-8484.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents