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.

Position Summary

The GSSW Field Liaison is an adjunct faculty member that teaches as part of the field course sequence (SOWK 4950/SOWK 4970). 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 Field 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.

Each GSSW Field Liaison may also serve in the role of an off-site MSW field instructor (OSFI) for their assigned students. The Field Liaison will serve as an MSW OSFI to a student/agency when the agency does not have the capacity to provide the CSWE required social work supervision for an internship. The MSW OSFI is required to meet with students for regularly scheduled supervision meetings, typically across 3 or 4 quarters. The MSW OSFI’s role is to provide oversight of student progress towards demonstration of competencies and to assist student with the integration of practice realities with theoretical concepts from a social work perspective.

The OSFI does not have oversight over agency work, agency policies, or treatment of agency clients. These functions are overseen by the agency Task Supervisor, who provides day to day direct oversight over the student. See under Field Liaison job description for more information about the MSW OSFI role/expectations.

The Field Liaison role is a commitment of 3 quarters. Four Corners MSW Program Field Liaisons serve in the GSSW Field Liaison role with additional MSW off-site field instruction responsibilities on a PRN basis. This role does NOT include any Seminar teaching responsibilities in a typical classroom environment, rather provides supervision, mentorship, and monitoring of the field experience.

Essential Functions

Field Liaison Responsibilities

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.
• Utilizes the Field Manual and 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 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:

• 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 a minimum of three times 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 orientation with assigned students.
• Facilitates and 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.
• Submits written reports and attend Intermediary Discussion/Student Review/Termination Hearings if needed.

MSW Off-Site Field Instructor (OSFI)- Graduate School of Social Work

Responsibilities to the Student:

• Provide regular individual supervision as assigned for the duration of the internship, with focus of infusing social work knowledge and values into the internship experience.
• Work with student to process field learning and develop increased skill and capacity to demonstrate required social work competencies.
• Provide supervision to the student as they navigate the complexities of boundaries, ethics, use of self, professionalism, vicarious trauma, power/privilege, and integrating into an agency as a student learner.
• Assist the student in understanding the roles of the GSSW Field Liaison, Task Supervisor, and OSFI and encourage clear and transparent communication to avoid triangulation.
• Be available by phone or email for questions between meetings if needed.
• Consult with and direct the student in completing the written Individualized Field Education Plan (IFEP) and specify for the student expectations and methods of monitoring progress.
• Review the student’s responsibilities for their learning and self-evaluation.
• Monitor the student’s progress toward the achievement of objectives, and to provide direct and specific feedback prior to the quarterly evaluation.
• Collaborate with the agency Task Supervisor to ensure good coordination of expectations and oversight on all of the above.
• Coordinate completion of the quarterly evaluation with the Task Supervisors.
• Review the quarterly evaluation with the student in coordination with the Task Supervisor.

Responsibilities to the Graduate School of Social Work:

• Regularly check voicemail and email and respond accordingly.
• Implement field education policies and procedures.
• Communicate as needed with the OSFI Supervisor regarding any questions, concerns, or emerging issues.
• Submit required documents to Office of Field Education in specified time frames.
• Submit annual recommendations to the Office of Field Education regarding the suitability of the agency and the continued participation in the field education program.

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
• Knowledge of complex organizations
• Knowledge of clinical supervision best practices and techniques

Required Qualifications

• MSW with 5 years’ post-Master's 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

• $499 per student for 1-5 years of employment
• $522 per student for 6+ years employment

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.