Faculty Field Liaison- School of Social Work

Join the VCU School of Social Work as a Faculty Field Liaison!

At VCU SSW, Field Liaisons play a key role in supporting student success by guiding BSW and MSW students through transformative field experiences each semester. As the vital link between the School, community partners, and students, you’ll help bridge classroom learning with real‑world practice. Field Liaisons foster strong partnerships, provide training and mentorship, and deliver engaging coursework that prepares emerging social workers for the challenges of professional practice. Your work ensures high academic standards and empowers students to thrive in their field placements and beyond.

Facilitation of Field Placement Support

• Ensure field placements supervision meets academic, professional, and ethical standards aligned with course objectives and social work competencies for a cohort of special consideration BSW and MSW students
• Review field placement progress, address challenges, and provide guidance to align learning goals with critical thinking, self-awareness, and professional development
• Offer constructive feedback on student performance, including evaluations and process recordings
  
  

Training & Professional Development

• Coordinate and conduct orientation and training sessions for new/existing field instructors and adjunct field liaisons, fostering an inclusive learning environment
• Develop and facilitate ongoing professional development and supervision case consultation sessions to enhance the supervisory skills of community partner field instructors and adjunct field liaisons
  
  

Communication Plan Development

• Develop and manage a communication plan to promote effective engagement between field liaisons and community partner field instructors
• Ensure field liaisons have the necessary tools and strategies to share field-related updates and best practices.
• Foster continuous dialogue around field instruction expectations, student progress, and feedback
  
  

Teaching & Instruction

• Carry a teaching load of 2:2:1 per academic year
• Provide instructional or training support as needed for field-related courses or initiatives (e.g., semesterly prep of field courses)
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Evaluation of Field Office Operations and Programming

• Contribute to the ongoing development and evaluation of the field education program
• Make recommendations for improvements to meet accreditation standards and enhance student learning
• Collect and analyze data on student performance, field instructor satisfaction, and program effectiveness to support continuous improvement
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an CSWE accredited institution
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of post-MSW experience in social work practice, including experience in clinical, direct practice, or field education roles
• Prior experience in field education or supervision of social work students
• Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative work and support the professional development of others
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of social work practice, ethics, and theory principles
• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholder groups, including students, community partners, and faculty
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple responsibilities and priorities
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills
  
  

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Licensure

• Current, valid social work clinical license (LCSW, LICSW, or equivalent)
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Experience with curriculum design, teaching, and academic instruction in a higher education setting
• Familiarity with field education software and online communication tools is a plus
  
  

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Rank: Assistant Professor

Tenure: Ineligible

Months: 12

Contact Information

Contact Name: Jazmyn Porter

Contact Email: porterj2@vcu.edu