Job description

Posting Number: FRGV1797
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Division/Organization: Provost – Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position: 3 years
Tenure Status: Non Tenure Track
FTE: 1.0

Scope of Job:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work is seeking applications for one full-time, non-tenure track faculty position at the Clinical Assistant Professor rank, beginning fall 2025.
The successful candidate will teach in our BSW and MSSW programs across modalities (in person, hybrid, and online); will serve on School of Social Work and UTRGV committees; participate in faculty meetings and professional development activities; and engage in scholarship activities as appropriate. The successful candidate will report directly to the Dean of the School of Social Work, Dr. Luis R. Torres-Hostos, and will work closely with our Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and our Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Development.

UTRGV is a distributed university with campuses and teaching sites from Brownsville to Laredo. This is an in-person position primarily for our Edinburg and Brownsville campuses, and faculty may be assigned to teach in other locations either in person or using remote technologies. The School of Social Work has students in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo, and is exploring offering classes in Rio Grande City.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a Hispanic-Serving Institution located on the U.S.-Mexico border. Our B3 Institute collaborates with units across UTRGV to achieve the university’s goal of being the first bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate University in the United States. UTRGV faculty will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to student success and to advancing the university, school, and program missions, and to be committed to UTRGV’s strategic plan, vision, mission, values and core priorities (https:/ /www.utrgv.edu/strategic-plan/introduction/index.htm).
About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.

About the School of Social WorkThe School of Social Work was established in 2018 as an independent School and is under the leadership of Founding Dean Dr. Luis R. Torres-Hostos. The Department of Social Work has existed since the 1970s; prior to becoming a School of Social Work, the department was part of the College of Health Professions. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Social Work (SSW) is the only institution to offer programs leading to both the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degree south of San Antonio. Both programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The School of Social Work is committed to preparing generalist and advanced professional social workers to meet the needs of a binational and multicultural community, and to increasingly make an impact on the national stage. The Rio Grande Valley is a natural laboratory for the demographic shifts being seen around the country.The BSW Program prepares students for generalist social work practice. Building on the generalist foundation, the MSSW program focuses on two concentrations: Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups; and Community Practice and Administration. The MSSW Program goals are to prepare graduates to practice with diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk populations to promote human well-being and social and economic justice; to prepare graduates for leadership in developing and implementing policies and services for at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region; and to develop the knowledge base of the social work profession, particularly as it relates to addressing the needs of at-risk populations with an emphasis on border communities. The BSW program is in-person, and alternative modalities are being explored. The MSSW program is offered in person and online. A PhD in Social Work is under development, as are a dual MSSW-MPH program. Other dual degree programs and MSSW modalities have been approved by faculty and will be developed over the next few years.

Minimum Qualifications:
We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work’s diverse student body. The successful candidate will have a master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited or equivalent social work program; be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) or be licensed eligible in Texas; have 2+ years’ post-master’s experience in direct/clinical practice or community/organizational practice in a variety of social work agency settings and teaching experience in higher education.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:
Master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited social work program or equivalent; be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), or be license-eligible in Texas.

Preferred Qualification:
Preference will be given to applicants with: A Master’s in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program or equivalent; 5+ years of practice experience; social work licensure or license-eligibility in Texas; experience working with populations similar to those of the Rio Grande Valley (i.e., 94% Hispanic, primarily Mexican-American; bilingual and bicultural; borderland communities, large rural areas, etc.); teaching expertise in advanced clinical or macro practice; experience with online teaching/distance education programs; field education experience; and knowledge of the cultural, social and economic characteristics of the U.S./Mexico border region.

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
License or Certification Required?: Yes
Number of Vacancies: 1.0
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2025

EEO Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date: 01/27/2025

Additional Information:
UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code 51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to electthe Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Please Note:
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

How to apply

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