Assistant Professor - Family and Consumer Sciences

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting an Assistant Professor to join our Family and Consumer Sciences team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, Washington, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor whose primary teaching responsibilities include the departments child life curriculum. This position involves teaching existing introductory and advanced Child Development and Family Science courses. Faculty are expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in child development, child life, therapeutic play, children with disabilities, practicum, and other areas; to serve as College in the High School liaison; and to contribute to the department/program. This faculty member will serve as Child Life Program coordinator, including advising and mentoring students, supporting students through the internship process, serving on child life students graduate committees, maintaining and expanding partnerships and endorsements, participating in recruitment efforts, and engaging in research.

The Child Development and Family Science program houses an undergraduate bachelors degree in Child Development and Family Science with specializations in Child Life, Child Development, and Family Science, as well as undergraduate minors and certificates and a graduate program with specializations in Child Life and Family Science. Both Child Life programs are endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). Faculty contribute to the programs mission through excellence in teaching, active scholarly engagement, meaningful service, and student advising while supporting learners both in-person and online.

The Department values excellence in teaching, applied scholarship, and service that advance the theory and practice of child development and family science. Faculty are expected to contribute to student success through innovative instruction, maintain an active program of scholarly activity, and engage in collaborative service that strengthens the department, university, profession, and community.

The ideal candidate enjoys contributing to a collaborative department that values teaching excellence, student success, innovative practice and inquiry, continuous improvement, and meaningful service to the department, college, university, profession, and community. The successful candidate will join a faculty committed to preparing the next generation of child development and family science leaders while contributing to the continued growth and innovation of the department and will integrate CWUs vision, mission, and values and create a learning environment that fosters student success and institutional excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or related terminal degree (ABD candidates may be considered; however, the terminal degree must be completed within one year of start date) in Child Development and Family Science or related discipline
• Certified Child Life Specialist (5+ years practicing)
• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in child life or related disciplines using student-centered instructional practices.
• Willingness and ability to teach a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level
• Ability to engage in scholarship in the field of CDFS
• Ability to mentor graduate student researchers
• Teaching, research, service or other experience that has prepared the candidate to contribute to CWUs commitment to the engagement of students from a variety of backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or interest in developing courses and teaching online.

• Experience in curriculum development and improvement.

• Evidence of an active or emerging program of scholarly activity, preferably with an applied focus in topics relevant to child life.

• Ability to incorporate multicultural perspectives and issues into curriculum and classroom conversations.

• Experience utilizing a variety of teaching methods designed for broad student success

• A record of promoting institutional excellence in classrooms and academic work environments.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development in teaching and practice

• Demonstrated service to the child life profession through involvement in regional and/or national child life organizations.

• Ability to work collaboratively with university faculty, students, and staff.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to student success through initiatives that promote access, engagement, retention, and/or achievement.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Annual Salary: $70,000 - $76,000, based on a full-time nine-month appointment.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Appointment: Full-Time, Tenure-Track, 9 Month Appointment. Additional Summer teaching may be available. Central Washington University is on the quarter system with appointments from mid-September through mid-June.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance. CWU Benefits, Perks & Discounts Overview.

Additional Information: For additional information about the University, visit: http://www.cwu.edu

For additional information about Ellensburg, visit: http://www.myellensburg.com

OR http://www.kittitascountychamber.com

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter explaining your interest in this position and clearly demonstrating how your education and experience qualifies you to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting. This statement should include:

• how you meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications;

• how your teaching, service, and/or scholarship has supported students from pluralistic societies that are underrepresented in their academic fields (applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work will further CWUs commitment to access and opportunity);

• Curriculum Vitae including work history, education, training and contact information for three professional references;

• Teaching interests;

• Statement of teaching philosophy;

• Research statement;

• Writing sample:

• Unofficial copies of transcripts from institution where highest degree was earned.

Screening Begins: November 1, 2026

NOTE: Although copies of transcripts are acceptable for application purposes, all job offers are contingent upon verification of highest degree. Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Dr. Amy Claridge

Title: Professor, Child Development and Family Science

Email: Amy.Claridge@cuw.edu

Phone: 509-963-2758

Website: cwu.edu/academics/family-consumer/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

The conditions of employment with Central Washington University are set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Central Washington University and United Faculty of Central, University policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal laws.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement may be found here: CWU Faculty Relations.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.