Professor and Director

Job description

Posting Detail Information


Working TitleProfessor and Director

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Posting Number202500272F

Proposed Annual Salary Range$215,000-$225,000

Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.

With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here.

(https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !


Position TypeFaculty

Work Hours/Week40

Description of Work Unit
TheSchool of Social Work (https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/ssw/) ( SSW ) is one of eight academic programs in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University ( CSU ).

Accredited by the Council for Social Work Education and recognized as one of the top social work programs in the United States, the SSW is committed to excellence, setting the standard for social work education in teaching, research, outreach, and service.

Throughout its history, the SSW at CSU has made a continuous effort to develop and maintain a program that is responsive to three distinct, but related, interests: 1) the profession of social work as represented by the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, 2) the human services agencies and clients in the state, the region, and the nation, and 3) the land-grant oriented mission and goals of the University.


The School of Social Work is currently home to 9 tenured and tenure-track faculty as well as 8 non-tenure track faculty members.

In addition, the School employs 43 staff members, research professionals, and graduate assistants.

Academic programs include the Bachelor of Social Work (in-person and online, 350 students), Master of Social Work (in-person and hybrid distance, 150 students), and PhD in Social Work (17 students).

Several specialized certificates are offered at the graduate level including Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Non-Profit Administration, School Social Work, and Advanced Clinical Behavioral Health.


Faculty and student research is supported by extramural funding to investigate health disparities, behavioral health, youth violence and juvenile justice, wellbeing and belonging in the Queer community, bullying and school-based prevention and intervention, palliative care, and critical perspectives in mental health.

SSW has a significant history with engagement and outreach programs.

These include the Social Work Research Center, a newly developed behavioral health Workforce Capacity Center, Human-Animal Bond in Colorado, and the Center for Lifelong Learning, Outreach, and Education.


University and City


Colorado State University (https://www.colostate.edu/) ( CSU ), a Carnegie Doctoral Research I University, was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and dedicated faculty, staff and students.

CSU is located 60 miles north of Denver in theCity of Fort Collins (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) .

CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and employs more than 7,500 faculty and staff.

Tenure/Tenure Track?Yes

% Research15

% Teaching10

% Service0

% Administration75

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on11/03/2025

Number of Vacancies1

Desired Start Date07/01/2026

Position End Date

Position Summary
Colorado State University ( CSU ) is seeking an engaged, innovative, visionary, strategic, high-energy leader for the position of Professor and Director of theSchool of Social Work (https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/ssw/) ( SSW ).

This position is a 12-month, full-time faculty position.

We are seeking applicants who are excited about joining a strong SSW and who have a proven track record of academic leadership, innovative research, effective teaching and mentorship, meaningful service, and outstanding interpersonal communication and organizational skills.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated high ethical standards and are expected to operate in a transparent and collegial way.

Additionally, candidates should be responsive to the needs of faculty, staff, and students within the SSW and have a strong commitment to working collectively to elevate the SSW to the next level of national and international recognition.


Areas of responsibility will include:

+ Leadership within the SSW including development of a shared vision and strategic plan; transparent communication and advocacy within and outside the SSW ; building and supporting capacity that will advance education, research, and outreach; stressing the importance of and identifying and enacting effective approaches for faculty, staff and student retention, engagement, and satisfaction; and encouraging professional development for faculty, staff, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

+ Research and Scholarship, including cultivation of an exceptional and interactive intellectual and research climate; development and implementation of strategies to promote and support procurement of external funding for SSW stakeholders (faculty and trainees); and maintaining active involvement in research and scholarly activities, and professional societies.

+ Fiscal Management, including effective and equitable stewardship of resources and budget prioritization; development and implementation of innovative ways to grow and generate revenue; responsible budget management and development of strategic approaches for resource/budget growth including entrepreneurial activities.

+ Personnel Management, including clear expectations of job duties and performance metrics; development of equitable, high standards in teaching, research and outreach for tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty; development of and involvement in faculty and staff mentorship; and commitment to a positive work environment and conflict resolution.

+ Facility Oversight and Space Improvement, to meet the needs of the faculty, staff, and students.

+ Commitment to Excellence, for student success initiatives and faculty hiring and retention and in alignment with ourLand-Grant Mission (https://www.colostate.edu/land-grant/) .

Teaching, including strengthening the SSW’s commitment to maximize undergraduate and graduate student success in the classroom through a rigorous curriculum combined with exceptional student engagement, and occasionally teaching courses, providing guest lectures, and giving career advice to students.



Position Supervises approximately 60 faculty and staff

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Required Job Qualifications

+ Doctorate in Social Work or a related field.

+ Academic credentials commensurate with a faculty appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure (mid-career Associate Professor or higher rank).

+ Demonstrated record of successful extramurally funded research.

+ Demonstrated commitment to promoting research excellence, as evidenced by student, postdoctoral and/or faculty mentorship and leadership in grant-writing and research development opportunities.

+ Demonstrated record of teaching and mentoring excellence, and leadership in undergraduate and/or graduate curricular and instructional development.

+ Demonstrated record of administrative, personnel management, and leadership experience.

+ Demonstrated commitment to excellence, as demonstrated by active planning, allocation of resources, and/or accountability for outcomes.


Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Experience as department head, associate dean, or program director.

+ Experience with assessment and accreditation/reaccreditation processes.

+ Demonstrated experience in maximizing faculty, staff, and student professional growth and potential.

+ Demonstrated efforts to increase student access and success.

+ Experience leading the tenure and promotion process and annual review of faculty and staff.

+ Demonstrated record of effective fundraising and donor relation experience.

+ Demonstrated ability to facilitate open and collaborative relationships within and external to the unit (e.g., agency or state partners).

+ Experience with, or strong familiarity of, community outreach in relation to a land-grant institution.

+ Familiarity with managing financial assets, comprehending fiscal systems/reports, and experience with developing and forecasting realistic budgets.


Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, electronically submit a cover letter addressing the responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications of the position; current curriculum vita; statement of leadership philosophy and vision for the department; and a list of three references with email addresses and phone numbers directly to this posting.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.



CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals.

If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students.

To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer.

The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification.

Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO
Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Search ContactMichelle Foster, PhD, michelle.foster@colostate.edu


Essential Duties


Job Duty CategorySchool Management/Supervision

Duty/Responsibility

+ Leadership within the SSW , including development of a shared vision and strategic plan that coordinates with the College and University goals; transparent communication and advocacy within and outside the SSW ; building and supporting capacity that will advance education, research, and outreach; stressing the importance of and identifying effective approaches for faculty, staff and student retention, engagement, and satisfaction; encouraging professional development for faculty, staff, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

+ Fiscal Management, including effective and equitable stewardship of resources and budget prioritization; responsible budget management and development of strategic approaches for resource/budget growth including entrepreneurial activities.

+ Personnel Management, including clear expectations of job duties and performance metrics; development of equitable, high standards in teaching, research and outreach for tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty; development of and involvement in faculty and staff mentorship; commitment to a positive work environment and conflict resolution; and facilitation of a strong culture of mutual respect and support.

+ Commitment to Excellence, for student success initiatives and faculty hiring and retention and in alignment with ourLand-Grant Mission (https://www.colostate.edu/land-grant/) .


Percentage Of Time75%


Job Duty CategoryResearch and Scholarship

Duty/Responsibility

+ Research and Scholarship, including cultivation of an exceptional and interactive intellectual and research climate; strategic recruitment of outstanding new faculty to build upon existing research strengths; support and enhancement of internal and external collaborations; identification and implementation of strategies to obtain external funding and enhance donor relations for department stakeholders (including faculty, postdocs, graduate students and others) via government agencies, foundations and private donors; maintain active involvement in scholarly activities and professional scientific societies.


Percentage Of Time15%


Job Duty CategoryTeaching

Duty/Responsibility

+ Teaching, primarily supporting and empowering faculty to maximize undergraduate and graduate student success in the classroom through a rigorous curriculum combined with exceptional student engagement and accessibility, and by occasionally teaching courses or mentoring students, providing guest lectures, and giving career advice to students.


Percentage Of Time10%



References Requested

References Requested


Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3


Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).




Applicant Documents
Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Special Required Documentation

Optional Documents

Required Skill Profession

Other General