MSW Program Director & Professor

Pacific University; Forest Grove (OR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, seeks an MSW Program Director for a 12-month, tenure-track, in-person appointment. The Director will oversee all aspects of the Master of Social Work program, ensuring CSWE accreditation standards are met and that student learning remains strong.

The role combines academic leadership with administrative duties to advance the program's mission and sustain quality outcomes across in-person and online components.

Qualifications

• PhD or DSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution.
• Eligible for Oregon Social Work License (LCSW or LMSW).
• Minimum five years of full‑time higher education experience.
• At least three years of full‑time administrative social work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for the MSW Program.
• Foster inclusion across teaching, service, advising and collaboration.
• Teach 9 credits per academic year.
• Lead curriculum review, assessment, and accreditation activities.
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate faculty and staff.
• Represent the program in university governance and external circles.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Curriculum development

Budget management

Education

PhD or DSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution

Oregon Social Work License eligibility (LCSW or LMSW)

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Forest Grove Campus - Forest Grove, OR 97116Position Type: Full TimeJob Category: Faculty and Staff Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations inForest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The MSW Program Director is a 12-month, in-person, tenure-track faculty position with academic and administrative duties. The Director is responsible for the overall administration, development, and evaluation of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This position ensures compliance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation standards and supports student learning by providing leadership and oversight for all components of the MSW Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MSW Program Director provides leadership and oversight for faculty, staff, practicum education personnel, and other program resources, as applicable. The position establishes priorities, assigns responsibilities, evaluates performance, addresses operational and personnel concerns, and ensures that program activities are carried out effectively and in accordance with institutional and CSWE standards. The Director may participate in recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, and corrective-action processes consistent with institutional policy and delegated authority.

• Provide vision and leadership for the MSW Program
• Foster a community of inclusion in all aspects of departmental functions, including instruction, service, scholarship, advising, administrative work and collaboration with students
• Teaching load of 9 credits per academic year
• Develop strong relationships with internal and external parties to promote the MSW in-person and online components and to support the mission of the Program
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and accreditation standards
• Plan, monitor, and administer the program budget within established institutional policies and delegated authority.
• Lead curriculum review, assessment, program evaluation, accreditation activities, and continuous quality-improvement efforts
• Participates in student recruitment, admissions, orientation, advising, retention, and graduation activities
• Contribute to recruitment, supervision, and evaluation of faculty and staff
• Facilitate and support the faculty in long-range planning and program development
• Guide the faculty in outcomes assessment and curriculum review
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate administrative personnel
• Implement standards for student performance and advancement
• Represent the Program in the University’s administrative structure
• Represent the Program on local, state, and national levels within the professions and the community

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Performs other duties as assigned that are reasonably related to the position and the mission of the program and institution.

JOB SCOPE:

The MSW Program Director has broad responsibility for the academic, administrative, and operational leadership of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The position operates within applicable university policies, accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and established institutional procedures, while exercising substantial independent judgment in interpreting and applying those requirements to program operations.

The position is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and recommending new policies, procedures, guidelines, and program initiatives necessary to maintain academic quality, accreditation compliance, student success, and alignment with the evolving needs of the social work profession. The Director has authority to make day-time decisions within established parameters and recommends significant policy or program changes through appropriate institutional governance processes.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provide direct supervision and ongoing support to the Program Coordinator through regular weekly check-ins, goal setting, performance feedback and annual performance evaluations.
• Supervise and provide guidance to student employees, including assigning work, monitoring performance, and ensuring responsibilities are completed effectively.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• PhD or DSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution.
• Possess or be eligible to hold an Oregon Social Work License (LCSW or LMSW).
• A minimum of five years of full-time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CSWE accredited program.
• A minimum of three years of full-time administrative social work experience.
• Academic experience allowing the candidate to be eligible for Associate or Full Professor status.
• Evidence of increasing administrative, management, and budgetary responsibilities.
• Outstanding leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Management style which emphasizes open communication, collaborative work relations, and continuous quality improvement.
• Knowledge of curriculum design according to CSWE accreditation standards.
• Service to the community and the social work profession.
• Familiarity with CSWE Practicum Education requirements and assessment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Communicates with students, faculty, staff and the public appropriate to the age of the individual served.
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Asks questions and seeks assistance.
• Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
• Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all students, faculty and staff.
• Maintains proper appearance and personal conduct for the employee’s particular job.
• Uses effective communication skills taking into consideration body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

__Climbing _X_Balancing _X_Stooping _X_Kneeling __Crouching __Crawling _X_Reaching _X_Standing _X_Walking _X_Pushing _X_Pulling __X Lifting _X_Talking _X_Hearing X__Repetitive motion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

_X_Sedentary work _X_Light work __Medium work __Heavy work __Very Heavy work _X_Visual acuity

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they are unsure if they can perform every function in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about how your background and skill set may qualify you for the role.

We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset‑based mindset so that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in‑network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On‑campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services.

ACCOMMODATIONS & INCLUSION:

We welcome and encourage applications from neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities. If you need any accommodations or support at any stage of the application or interview process such as receiving interview questions in advance, alternative assessment formats, or extra time please let us know by emailing Catheryn Coupland [e-mail] We are committed to providing an accessible process that allows you to demonstrate your strengths.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non‑discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at [e-mail].