Term Assistant Professor of Human Services

Mat-Su College is seeking a Term Assistant Professor of Human Services to lead the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and collaborate in the provision of the bachelor's degree in partnership with other campuses. The Human Services term assistant professor will lead innovation in human services education and workforce development in collaboration with statewide, regional or local employers in health or social services in public, nonprofit and tribal sectors. The anticipated start date for this position is August 12, 2024.

“Opportunities start here” is more than a slogan at Matanuska-Susitna College (Mat-Su College); it is our mission. Our aim is to transform student aspirations into realities. Matanuska-Susitna College seeks applicants who possess a desire to help students succeed in reaching their goals.

Join us and help turn student aspirations into reality!

The primary function of the Human Services faculty member is teaching, with a total load of 24 credits during an academic year. Other responsibilities involve service, such as curriculum development, committee work, and collaborating with the community for student practicums as well as to address the needs of the Mat-Su Valley. We are seeking a colleague with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and who can work with diverse populations, and with individuals, groups, and communities experiencing marginalization and oppression. The Human Services program is competency based and community oriented and emphasizes the preparation of students for immediate employment within local community service organizations. In addition, the faculty member will help those students wishing to continue at the bachelor’s level to transition into further education. The faculty member will engage in student success practices supporting the professional and personal development of each student, and will foster a welcoming, supportive, and developmental culture within the AAS program.

The Human Services AAS degree is designed to prepare students to work effectively in paraprofessional counseling roles and human services practice, outreach and engagement of people in need, and support of teams in the provision of human services. The AAS degree program prepares students for engaging members of diverse populations and helping members of vulnerable populations achieve success and well-being in their communities.

Students gain firsthand experience through practicum placements at local social service providers and obtain skill development through courses that emphasize practice, practicum seminars, and the use of electronic portfolios for documenting and advancing their professional development in human services. Human Services faculty work with local community service agencies to create practicum placement opportunities for students, especially ones building community support for members of diverse groups.

For more information on our Human Services Degree Program, please visit our webpage: MSC Human Services

The ideal candidate is student-centric, committed to student success, possesses the ability to teach and convey complex concepts, and the ability to inspire students to the highest level of achievement in preparation for meeting employer expectations. To thrive in this role, the applicant should understand the professional career paths and demands of the field, as well as knowledge of practicums and experiential education. A demonstrated history of working collaboratively with diverse groups of people, such as veterans and persons in recovery/reentry, is essential to the position. The applicant should demonstrate open-mindedness, be able to foster collegiality, and possess excellent oral and written cross-cultural communication skills.

The following experiences would be beneficial for applicants to bring with them to this position: providing human services to people from diverse backgrounds; serving as field instructor within human services organizations; administration of human services programs, and in the development of personnel; and in leadership positions, such as professional organizations, devoted to advancing human services or professional development of human service professionals.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Master's degree in social work, psychology, education, justice, human services or related fields is required. A Ph.D., Professional Doctorate, or terminal degree is preferred. Other requirements include a minimum of 3 years experience in the profession after the receipt of the Master’s degree or its equivalent and a minimum of 3 years experience in teaching/supervising practicums or experiential learning in human services or in related professional fields.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Matanuska-Susitna College campus in Palmer, Alaska. This is a full-time, bipartite, non-tenure track (term-funded), 9-month exempt/salaried faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary will be aligned with qualifications and experience.

Application Requirements:

The following are required documents for applicants to upload with their online application:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume or CV
3. Three Reference Letters from individuals who can speak to competencies consistent with this announcement
4. Transcripts
5. Teaching Philosophy Statement

A teaching demonstration with the possibility of a program vision presentation will be part of the interview process for candidates advancing to the final stages of the search.

Applications will be accepted for review on 05/07/2024. To ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on 05/06/2024.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC): unitedacademicsak.org

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact the HR Coordinator Shira Crowell at sacrowell@alaska.edu

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.