Open Rank Professor - Public Administration

CSU Careers • San José, CA

9d • $88,008 - $130,008 • Onsite

About The Position

San José State University’s School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies seeks an interdisciplinary teacher-scholar for an open-rank tenured or tenure-track position in Public Administration/Public Policy. The successful candidate will contribute to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program through teaching, research, program management, and service. The search welcomes applicants at the assistant, associate, or full professor level whose expertise complements the program. Areas of interest include local and regional governance, organizational theory, administrative research methods, administrative law, executive management, civic and community engagement, digital governance and public-sector technology, and public financial management. Interdisciplinary work connecting public administration with geography/GIS, urban planning, or environmental studies is especially welcome.

The faculty member will teach primarily graduate core and elective courses in the MPA program, conduct research in public administration and public policy, mentor graduate students, support program accreditation, and engage with community and professional partners. The position also includes shared governance and service at the department, college, and university levels. Faculty must organize all classes in Canvas and demonstrate awareness of the needs of a diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

The School offers several professional graduate programs, including accredited MPA and Master of Urban Planning programs, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs in geographic information sciences, environmental studies, geography, and global studies. The College of Social Sciences emphasizes equitable and inclusive teaching and learning, faculty development, student success, community-engaged scholarship, and a culture of support and belonging. Applicants are invited to submit a Statement of Institutional Excellence describing how their lived and professional experiences can contribute to the SJSU community, particularly student success.

The position is based in California and requires an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent on US residence, eligibility to work in the United States, and satisfactory background and reference checks. Target start date: August 17, 2027. The anticipated annual salary range is $88,008–$130,008, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank. Faculty benefits are described as very competitive for the higher education sector.

Requirements

• PhD in Public Administration/Public Management, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated teaching experience or strong potential to teach public administration and/or public policy courses.
• A record of publication or strong potential for publications appropriate to the public administration discipline.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population, gained through cross-cultural study, training, teaching, or comparable experience.
• Ability to demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of students diverse in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience teaching MPA core curriculum courses, such as Regional Governance, Administrative Research Methods, or Public Management.
• Expertise in community-engaged policymaking or analysis, field-based coursework, and overseeing graduate students.
• Research experience in public administration, government, nonprofit organizations, or public financial management.
• Demonstrated experience in or commitment to department- and university-level service.
• Experience in or commitment to supporting co-curricular academic activities that promote student success, such as professional network development.
• Engagement with professional communities of practice, especially practical public-service experience with local governments, nonprofits, or as city staff.
• Evidence of or potential for academic program leadership and management in public administration.
• Experience in program management, curriculum development, grant writing, and teaching courses similar to MPA core courses.
• Interdisciplinary work connecting public administration with geography/GIS, urban planning, or environmental studies.

Responsibilities

• Teach primarily core and elective graduate courses in the Master of Public Administration program; depending on program and student needs, may also teach in Urban Planning, Geography/GIS, or Environmental Studies.
• Conduct research that contributes to and connects the fields of public administration and public policy.
• Mentor graduate students, advise capstone projects, and prepare students for careers in public service.
• Use innovative teaching practices to enhance student learning and enrich the MPA program and School curricula.
• Provide service to the MPA program in support of its NASPAA accreditation.
• Engage with community organizations, policymakers, practitioners, and other external partners to enhance the relevance and impact of research and teaching.
• Participate in shared governance and serve on department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System.
• Support students with diverse backgrounds and needs through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.
• Complete required CSU employee training and comply with applicable mandated reporter and, if designated, Campus Security Authority reporting and training requirements.

Benefits

• Faculty employee benefits described as very competitive for the higher education sector; the posting refers applicants to the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree