Assistant Professor, Social Worker

Cape Breton University; Sydney; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional university in Cape Breton seeks a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor for the Department of Social Work. This role emphasizes teaching BSW-level courses centered on Indigenous perspectives and anti-oppressive practice. Ideal candidates will have significant social work experience, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and eligibility for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. The position encourages applications from Indigenous individuals and is set to start on July 1st, 2026, or soon thereafter.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in social work practice, particularly in anti-oppressive frameworks.
• Eligibility for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
• Experience teaching in post-secondary education.

Responsibilities

• Teach BSW-level social work courses with an emphasis on Indigenous perspectives.
• Contribute to curriculum development reflecting Indigenous knowledges.
• Mentor students, especially Indigenous and equity-deserving students.

Skills

Social work practice

Indigenous perspectives in education

Anti-oppressive approaches

Relational practice

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)

PhD in Social Work or related discipline

Job description

Cape Breton University invites applications for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Social Work for its accelerated 16-month Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.

This position is part of the university’s ongoing commitment to decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization of social work education and practice. We are strongly committed to recruiting an Indigenous faculty member who brings significant social work practice experience, community knowledge, and a passion for preparing undergraduate students for ethical, relational, and justice-oriented social work practice. The anticipated start date is July 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

is grounded in critical, anti-oppressive, and decolonizing approaches to social work education, with a strong emphasis on:

• Advancing awareness and meaningful integration of Indigenous worldviews, Ways of Knowing, and Two-Eyed Seeing in practice.
• Advancing Community-based and relational practice
• Practice readiness and field education as the signature pedagogy
• Advancing Social justice and ethical responsibility
• Serving and including rural and underserved communities

The program is situated in Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), part of Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, and it maintains close relationships with community organizations, service providers, and Indigenous partners.

Position Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

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Teaching BSW-level social work courses, particularly those aligned with:

• Indigenous perspectives from Indigenous knowledges and worldviews in social work.
• Decolonizing and anti-colonial practice.
• Understanding the historical and current context of Indigenous cultures and Ways of Knowing in Nova Scotia.
• Establishing and building partnerships and working relationships with Indigenous families, mentors, and communities.
• Working in a culturally-safe manner with Indigenous families, communities, and agencies.

Contributing to curriculum development that reflects Indigenous knowledges, lived experience, and community-responsive practices.

Supporting and mentoring students, including Indigenous students and those from equity-deserving communities.

Engaging in service to the program, university, profession, and community.

Participating in scholarly, creative, community-engaged, or practice-based activities, as aligned with the candidate’s expertise and interests.

CBU offers opportunities to teach on campus and online, and the possibility of community-based settings. A willingness to engage in varied teaching modes is considered an asset.

The Successful Candidate will:

• Demonstrate significant social work practice grounded in relational and anti‑oppressive approaches.
• Be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
• Hold a graduate degree, or other comparable combined qualifications and demonstrated leadership experience in the social work context.
  • A Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CASWE accredited institution.
  • A completed or near‑completed doctorate, or advanced professional training and expertise comparable to doctoral-level preparation*, including, but not limited to:
    • PhD in Social Work.
    • Doctor of Social Work (DSW).
    • PhD or doctorate in a closely related discipline relevant to social work education, practice, or social justice.
    • The doctoral requirement may be waived if the candidate has a minimum of a Master’s degree or a professional degree and a combinationsecondary level and/or inclusive of Indigenous Knowledges, lived experience, community contribution and involvement with First Nations families and youth.
• Priority will be given to Indigenous candidates (First Nation, Metis and Inuit). Candidates are requested to self‑identify in the application with a narrative Indigenous communities.
• Cape Breton University is strongly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We welcome applicants who would contribute to the further Indigenization and diversification of our faculty, scholarship, and teaching.
• Have experience teaching in post‑secondary or adult education settings, scholarship, or knowledge mobilization.
• Bring additional assets such as engagement in research, particularly with community‑engaged research, Indigenous methodologies, or practice‑based scholarship and experience working with rural or marginalized communities.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The union affiliation of this position is with the Cape Breton University Faculty Association (CBUFA).

Click here to view more information and to apply.

All required documents must be uploaded to Additional Documents with correct titles for each required document.

Applications must be received by 11:00PM on March 9th, 2026.

Cape Breton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

CBU is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and applicants are encouraged to self‑identity if they are part of a marginalised community, or have experience working with Indigenous communities.

If we contact you for an interview and you who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance.

Human Resources Dept.

1250 Grand Lake Road,

Sydney, NS B1M 1A2