2026-27 AY Lecturer Pool - Political Science

California State University-Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 61,458 - 169,754; Part time

Job summary

A public university in California is seeking an experienced lecturer to teach Introduction to American Government and other Political Science courses. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Political Science or a related field and demonstrate teaching experience. The position offers a flexible salary based on rank and professional background, with responsibilities that include instruction, class preparation, and grading. Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV, along with transcripts and references.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required to teach lower-division courses.
• Experience in teaching college courses preferred.

Responsibilities

• Instruction, class preparation, grading, and office hours.
• Course assignments determined by the Department Chair.

Skills

Teaching skills

Knowledge of Political Science

Curriculum development

Education

Master’s degree in Political Science or related field

Job description

Position Details

The Department of Political Science is housed in the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, which includes ten academic departments, four interdisciplinary programs, and several centers and institutes, including the Project for an Informed Electorate and the Center for Race, Immigration, and Social Justice. The department promotes political understanding and civic engagement through teaching, research, and community engagement across the major fields of political science.

Department Background

The department includes nearly 40 faculty members, evenly divided between tenure‑line faculty and lecturers, and serves about 650 undergraduate majors. It offers undergraduate degrees in Political Science, International Relations, and Political Science/Journalism, as well as a Master’s degree in Political Science. Students benefit from strong experiential learning opportunities, including a robust internship program with year‑round placements and the Sacramento Semester Program based on both the main campus and downtown. The department also maintains a peer mentoring program.

Job Needs

We invite applications from lecturers qualified to teach Introduction to American Government, which is a particular and ongoing need for the department. We also welcome applicants across political science subfields, including political theory, comparative politics, public policy, international relations, identity politics, law and society, California state and local government, research methods, and American politics.

Responsibilities

Duties of a part‑time lecturer include instruction, class preparation, grading, and office hours. Other duties may be assigned based on departmental needs. Course assignments, including dates, time, and modality, are made by the Department Chair under the direction of the College Dean.

Rank and Salary

Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges for the respective ranks are:

• Lecturer A: $5,507 - $6,677
• Lecturer B: $6,221 ‑ $13,224
• Lecturer C: $6,825 ‑ $14,523
• Lecturer D: $8,593 ‑ $15,211

The salary ranges indicated are based on a "full‑time rate" (15 weighted teaching units). A semester's worth of compensation is made up of six (6) payments of the given amount. To calculate salary for a semester, the base rate is pro‑rated based on the units worked out of 15 WTUs.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Political Science or related field is required to teach lower‑division courses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in teaching college courses.

Applicant Instructions

• A cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)/resume
• Unofficial transcripts that include the highest degree or degree required for the position
• A list of three professional references with contact information
• In the Additional Questions section, please indicate what courses in the department that you think you are qualified to teach. Course listings can be found here: https://catalog.csus.edu/courses-a-z/.
• Complete the Statement of Professional Preparation and Experience form. Please click the link below to download the form. https://www.csus.edu/college/social-sciences-interdisciplinary-studies/internal/_internal/_documents/experiencestatement.pdf

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from the State Capitol. The lush, 300‑acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm‑to‑Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half a million. Sacramento State is a Hispanic and AANAPISI serving institution with about 31,000 students coming not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission: “As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed.”

Equal Employment Opportunity

California State University, Sacramento is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States. It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment.

Background Check Disclaimer

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

COVID‑19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID‑19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all California State University, Sacramento employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID‑19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Effective May 2023.

Eligibility Verification

Candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned and must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agent for non‑tenure track (temporary/lecturer) faculty for the H1‑B Visa.

Out of State Employment

Per CSU‑wide policy (HR2021‑04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12‑month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in‑person.