Assistant Professor for Public Policy and Administration

California State University, Bakersfield•Bakersfield, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

California State University, Bakersfield seeks a tenure-track, full-time Assistant Professor for the 2027–2028 academic year, with an anticipated start in Fall 2027. The position is in the Department of Public Policy and Administration within the College of Business and Public Administration. The department offers a BA in Public Administration, a NASPAA-accredited MPA, and an MS in Health Care Administration, preparing students for leadership and management roles in government, nonprofit, and health care organizations. The successful candidate will teach core and elective undergraduate and graduate courses across the department’s three degree programs, including in specialized areas of interest. Because the department is small, the candidate must be willing to teach a broad range of subjects and use face-to-face, fully online, hybrid, and other instructional modalities as needed. Courses may be offered at the main campus in Bakersfield and the satellite campus in the Antelope Valley. The candidate will maintain an active scholarly research program, with peer-reviewed publications consistent with departmental and college expectations and NASPAA standards. The role also includes contributing to program development, assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, accreditation efforts, professional service, and departmental, college, university, CSU system, disciplinary, and community service. The candidate may be asked to develop new courses to meet stakeholders’ emerging needs. A Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Healthcare Administration/Policy, or a related field is required, with a focus in Human Resources Management or Healthcare Administration; other specializations will also be considered. Candidates nearing completion of a doctoral degree may be considered, but employment is contingent on providing evidence of completion by August 1, 2027. Candidates must demonstrate successful higher-education teaching experience, a record of or strong potential for high-quality research, willingness to participate in service, and commitment to teaching students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds, including first-generation students. The anticipated annual salary range is $75,000–$85,000, based on qualifications and experience. Faculty benefits are described as very competitive for the higher-education sector. The role requires in-person duties and faculty must work from within California. Employment is contingent on U.S. residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States; the university states it is currently unable to sponsor certain new H-1B employment visas.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Healthcare Administration/Policy, or a related field, with a focus on Human Resources Management or Healthcare Administration; other specializations will also be considered.
Applicants nearing completion of a doctoral degree may be considered, contingent on providing evidence of degree completion by August 1, 2027.
Evidence of successful teaching experience in higher education.
Evidence of a record of, or strong potential for, conducting high-quality research.
Willingness to engage in departmental, college, university, and community service activities.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds, including first-generation students.
Willingness to teach a broad range of courses and use face-to-face, fully online, hybrid, and other instructional modalities as needed.
Ability to perform faculty work from within California and fulfill in-person duties requiring an on-campus presence.
U.S. residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Satisfactory completion of a background check, including a criminal records check.

Responsibilities

Teach core and elective undergraduate and graduate courses across the department’s three degree programs.
Teach specialized courses aligned with the candidate’s areas of interest and be willing to cover a broad range of courses as needed.
Teach through face-to-face, fully online, hybrid, and other instructional modalities, including courses at the Bakersfield main campus and Antelope Valley satellite campus.
Maintain an active scholarly research program and publish in peer-reviewed academic journals consistent with departmental and college expectations and NASPAA standards.
Contribute to departmental program development, assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Participate in accreditation and assessment efforts.
Provide departmental, college, university, CSU system, professional, and community service.
Develop new courses as needed to address emerging stakeholder needs.
Support the institution’s mission and its students and community.