Adjunct Faculty Field Liaison, Graduate School of Social Work

This is a general posting that will serve to create a pool of applicants for adjunct faculty openings throughout the 2023- 2024 academic year. Should we have an opening and be interested in pursuing your application, we will contact you with specific information.

Department Summary

The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) is a vibrant community of scholars and teachers committed to having a diverse faculty and student body. The School’s curriculum, research, and community partnerships emphasize social and economic justice, along with an understanding of and respect for social, political, and cultural diversity both nationally and internationally. GSSW provides an intellectual, collegial, and supportive environment that fosters interdisciplinary and international educational opportunities. GSSW engages in collaborative projects locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. GSSW and the University of Denver are committed to enhancing the diversity of faculty and staff.

Position Summary

The GSSW Field Liaison is an adjunct faculty member that teaches as part of the field course sequence (SOWK 4950 Foundation Internship/SOWK 4970 Concentration Internship).  The Field Liaison is the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work’s representative to the field placement agency and is expected to serve as a consultant to both the agency supervisor(s) and the student.  In addition, the Liaison serves as the primary link in the internship triad of student, agency/field instructor and the Graduate School of Social Work.  The primary purpose of the Field Liaison is to monitor the educational field placement experience to ensure a quality learning experience and be proactively in communication with the student and the agency supervisor throughout the duration of the internship. 

The Field Liaison role is a commitment of 2-3 quarters for a cohort of around 16 students.  This means that Field Liaisons will be assigned to teach the SOWK 4950/4970 courses for two to three consecutive quarters.  Adjuncts are paid three credits for each quarter they are assigned a SOWK 4950/SOWK 4970 field course, for a total of 6-9 credits per cohort assignment. 

The GSSW MSW program has recently moved to a new curriculum that does not include a corresponding field seminar.  However, as we work to phase out the old curriculum, some Field Liaisons in the program may be assigned to teach a corresponding field seminar course at the additional rate of pay of 1 credit per seminar course for each quarter (3 quarters).   

In unique circumstances, Field Liaisons may be assigned a reduced cohort size at a pro-rated rate of pay.  

This posting will serve for multiple openings throughout the 2023-24 academic year and for those whose contracts may continue beyond that time. 

Essential Functions

In addition to following the University of Denver’s policies and procedures, principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Responsibilities to the Student:

• Orients the student to field instruction and use of supervision.
• Orients students to the online field course, and ensures completion of all required modules
• Clarifies program policies and procedures.
• Provides student with instruction to facilitate development of an Individualized Field Education Plan (IFEP).
• Visits each agency virtually a minimum of three times during the student’s internship, and more often if needed.  Site visits for Denver Campus may be required to be in person at times.
• Mentors student through their role as a student learner and professional.
• Monitors learning experience to ensure appropriate graduate level educational experience; and assists student in identifying meaningful learning opportunities.
• Is available throughout the year to assist students when concerns/ questions arise.
• Reviews and responds as needed to the weekly check-ins in the online course

Responsibilities to the Agency/ Field Instructor

• Establishes a connection directly with the agency supervisor(s) within the first week of the internship
• Informs the agency of program expectations.
• Confers with the MSW Field Instructor, and Task Supervisor if applicable, regarding educational opportunities and availability of supervision.
• Consults with the Field Instructor(s) to facilitate the development of the student’s IFEP. 
• Provides virtual training and consultation to Agency Supervisor(s).
• Visits with the student and Field Instructor/Task Supervisor each quarter during the student’s internship, and more often if needed.
• Is available as a resource in resolution of problems
• Communicates the program curriculum to the Field Instructor(s) and promotes the integration of classroom learning and practice.

Responsibilities to the Graduate School of Social Work:

• Submits grades for field courses at the end of each grading period in MyDu.
• Implements field education policy and procedures.
• Informs their Field Liaison Supervisor about any significant changes in the agency, field experience or individual student performance.
• Attends quarterly Field Liaison meetings.
• Participates in field liaison Meet and Greet with assigned students.
• Reviews quarterly evaluations and discusses any issues with Field Liaison Supervisor.
• Submits required documents to Field Education Office in specified time frames.
• Provides feedback to the field team regarding the suitability of the agency and field instructor(s), including continued participation in the field education program.
• Regularly responds to phone calls and emails from students, field instructor(s) and field team members.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven ability to mediate conflict, including demonstrated assessment and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal and group facilitation skills
• Familiarity using technology to conduct virtual site visits, classes, and student meetings

Required Qualifications

• MSW with 5 years’ post-Masters practice experience
• 1 year of supervisory experience
• Qualified applicants must have United States work eligibility, and reside and work within the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Agency experience in a variety of practice settings, including direct and indirect.
• Experience as an agency field supervisor for social work graduate students

Work Schedule

While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar ).

Application Deadline

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the 2023-2024 Academic year. This position will remain open until filled.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Course Rate

• Three credits of pay per quarter at the pay rate of $1193 per credit for 1-5 years of service
• Three credits of pay per quarter at the pay rate of $1243 per credit for 6 or more years of service

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement .

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.