Position Number: 31001

School/College: College of Arts and Sciences

Job Description:

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks an inclusive scholar and innovative and visionary leader to chair the Department of Social Work. The Department has a diverse and nationally recognized faculty for their expertise in the areas of health, behavioral health, child welfare, criminal justice, program evaluation, and educational innovation. The faculty engage in collaborative research with colleagues across the UAB Campus, including the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health. The Department also has strong connections to community-based agencies throughout Alabama, which provide exceptional field placements for students and collaborative research opportunities. All faculty and staff in the Department are strongly committed to an educational and research mission focused on promoting social and economic justice as well as improving the health and well-being of underserved individuals and communities. The Department's BSW Program has been accredited for over 40 years, serving approximately 200 majors a year. The newly accredited MSW Program provides Alabama's only specialized curriculum in health and behavioral health, with a current enrollment of approximately 80 students. Both programs collaborate with other health professional programs across the campus through robust simulation and interprofessional learning activities. A recently awarded U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Training Grant supports preparing more social workers and nurse practitioners to provide high-quality interprofessional care for opioid use disorder. More information about the Department may be found at: www.uab.edu/cas/socialwork.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar in the field of social work (e.g. track record of publications and/or grant funding) with demonstrated academic leadership skills (e.g. Director of BSW, MSW, or PhD Program or department chair) and vision to lead a Department that emphasizes research excellence and quality undergraduate and graduate instruction. A doctoral degree in social work, or a closely related field with an MSW degree, is required at the time of appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with training from a CSWE accredited program, two years of practice experience, and knowledge and understanding of the CSWE accreditation process. Appointment at the full professor level is expected.

UAB is a Carnegie Level 1 research university and academic health center ranked #1 in the United States for the past two years in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Young University Rankings. With over 22,000 students and 2,400 full-time faculty members, UAB ranks in the top 20 public universities for federal research funding and is the major teaching-research university in Alabama. Interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching is prominent. UAB ranks in the top ten nationally for student diversity, and Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, offering a vibrant cultural community with a wide array of recreational opportunities.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at UAB includes 19 academic departments representing arts and humanities as well as social and physical sciences. CAS is home to over 300 full-time faculty and more than 40 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees, making it the largest academic entity in the UAB academic enterprise. Additionally, CAS supports numerous research centers, community outreach programs, and interdisciplinary programs. More information about the College may be found at: https://www.uab.edu/cas/home/.

Applications should include a cover letter outlining interest and qualifications, including teaching, research, service and administrative experience, for the position, a CV, and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without permission of applicants, and formal letters of reference will be requested for finalist applicants only. Questions may be directed to Dr. Sylvie Mrug, Search Committee Chair, at smrug@uab.edu.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online at http://uab.peopleadmin.com/postings/7687. Review of applications will begin on 11/1/2020 and continue until the position is filled.

EEO Statement:

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Department: Social Work

Assignment Category: Full-Time

Tenure Status: Tenured

Required Qualifications:

PhD in related field

Pre-Employment Background Check:

A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.