Assistant / Associate Professor of Social Work and Department Chair

Assistant / Associate Professor of Social Work and Department Chair

Location

St. Davids

Job Type

Faculty Full-Time

Job Number

1166

Department

Social Work - (College of Health & Sciences)

Opening Date

08/25/2026

• Description
• Benefits

Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university's main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern's core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.

Position Description

The successful candidate is a dynamic, forward-thinking individual. The Chair will provide strategic oversight and academic leadership for the department, crucially leading the expansion of our educational footprint through the development of a new online BSW Program.

Working in close alignment with the Internship Director, MSW Program Director, BSW Program Director(s) and Social Work Faculty, the Chair will advance the department's commitment to faith, reason, and justice. This role includes visionary program development, robust administrative stewardship, and passionate teaching.

The Chair is responsible, in collaboration, for the development and administrative oversight of the Social Work Department (Department) This includes responsibility for maintaining CSWE accreditation compliance, recruiting and training faculty and adjunct instructors, department faculty oversight, budget management, tenure-track faculty duties, oversight of the advising team, and input into student recruitment, marketing, and admissions. The BSW program is currently offered at our St. Davids campus in person with an online program scheduled to launch soon. The MSW is currently offered online. This Chair position is primarily on ground at our St. Davids campus.

Eastern University is known for faith, reason, and justice. The Department of Social Work embodies this mission whole-heartedly.

Position Responsibilities

Administrative

• Visionary and Innovative Program Expansion: Lead the strategic design and implementation of programs in the Department including the development and launch of an online BSW Program, broadening access to Eastern's distinct social work education. Lead the strategic initiatives of the MSW Program for continued growth.
• Support: Supports the continuous development of BSW/MSW Programs in collaboration with Program Directors, Internship Director, and Department Faculty.
• Departmental Administration: Oversees all aspects of departmental operations, including CSWE accreditation compliance, support program directors in budget management, and faculty/staff supervision as assigned to achieve the program's mission and goals.
• Faculty Development: Recruit, lead search committees, train, and mentor a diverse pool of adjunct and full-time faculty, fostering a culture of faith, reason, and justice.
• Instruction and Curriculum Design: Fulfill tenure track faculty duties by teaching foundational courses and planning, facilitating, and managing the design of courses at the BSW/MSW Level.
• Enrollment and Student Success: Provide strategic input into marketing, recruitment, and admissions to sustain and grow the departments in the program. Oversee the Advising Team.
• Maintains Department professional memberships and represents the University at professional meetings.
• Oversees all contracting for the department, including loads for full time and part time faculty.
• Prepares departmental reports and other documents requested by University Administrators.
• Completes other administrative tasks deemed necessary as the department expands.

Academic

• Teaches courses as part of assigned load.
• Advises students as needed (BSW).
• Pursues a scholarly agenda of inquiry, presentation, and publication.

Qualifications

• MSW from a CSWE accredited program and a PhD in Social Work or DSW.
• Minimum of five years of post MSW practice experience.
• Thorough knowledge of CSWE accreditation/hands-on experience with the CSWE accreditation process including successful involvement in previous accreditation of a social work program.
• Commitment to and record of excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Experience in the development of program related initiatives.
• Demonstrated leadership in a university setting.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient skill with Microsoft office suite, social media, Google Suites, and other project management software.
• Proficient skill and use of automation and AI is required.
• Record of effective collaborative engagement and shared decision-making.
• Embody values of caring and compassion, justice and integrity, competence and affirmation.
• Commitment to treat each member of the campus community with fairness, dignity and respect seeking a spirit of unity and harmony as we join together to achieve our common mission.
• Theological alignment with the doctrinal statement of the University; sincere and enthusiastic affirmation of the University's mission, vision and core values; and a commitment to integrating Christian faith into teaching and professional work.

About Eastern University

Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university. The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.

Background Checks

Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening. The employment background screening may include but is not limited to your consumer credit history (for positions that work with the university finances or alumni funds only), verification of education and professional credentials, criminal history, driving history, residency, immigration status, performance, references, and other qualities pertinent to your qualifications for the following position.

Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions. Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances:

1) Affidavit;

2) FBI Criminal Record Check;

3) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance and;

4) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.

In accordance with state laws, Act 73 of 2007, Act 153 of 2014, Act 168 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), school employees of Eastern University who will have "direct contact with children" must complete the background check process prior to employment. Results must be submitted within ten days of receipt.

Description Disclaimer

This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.

For all positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time faculty and staff including healthcare coverage, retirement plan contributions, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, tuition remission and tuition exchange participation as well as an extensive holiday, summer hours and paid time off leave schedule.

Part-time Regular staff who are scheduled 30-36 hours per week over the course of a year, receive a full benefit package based on their part-time scheduled hours. Healthcare coverage is based on the ACA medical coverage guidelines. Affiliate faculty receive a benefit package as outlined with their covenant. Adjunct faculty may be eligible for medical coverage under the ACA after an annual one year lookback review.

Part-time staff who are scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week schedule are eligible for employer contribution towards the retirement plan after one year of employment. Eligibility rules apply. Adjunct faculty may make employee deferral contributions towards the retirement plan.

Part-Time Graduate Assistant Coaches are eligible for participation in the Tuition Remission Coaches Program.

Temporary, Contractors and Seasonal Employees: Individuals in this status are scheduled on an as-needed-basis and are not eligible for participation in the University's benefits programs.

Detailed information regarding our benefits program and eligibility is provided once hired or you can contact Human Resources with any questions.

Employer Eastern University

Address 1300 Eagle Road

St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 19087

Phone 610-341-5986

Website http://www.eastern.edu