Part Time Adjunct Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR

Position Announcement
Position Details
Proposed Start Date
09/16/2026
Working Title
MSW Adjunct Faculty Pool 2026-27 (External)
Department
240100 - SSW Campus MSW Program
Position Number
D97731
Representation
AP - AFT, Local 3571
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
The PSU School of Social Work (SSW) envisions a world where all people lead fulfilling lives in affirming, just and equitable communities. Rooted in justice, relationship, and community collaboration, PSU SSW advances knowledge and creates social change through teaching, research, practice, and advocacy. Our core values and beliefs include collective care, responsive learning, knowledge that serves, community partnership, and social change.The SSW provides accessible interdisciplinary educational opportunities and actively works to bring about structural change through its teaching, training, workforce development, research, and advocacy. The SSW includes three undergraduate majors: Human Services, Child, Youth, and Family Studies, and BSW and two graduate programs: MSW and PhD.
Position Summary
The PSU Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is ranked among the top 25% of all social work programs nationally, and serves students across the U.S. through its online option and statewide through its on campus and satellite options. The MSW Program prepares master's social workers for practice and leadership with diverse individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
This position is open to subject matter experts interested in teaching on campus in Portland, in our online program, or in our satellite educational centers in Bend and Eugene, Oregon. Applicants who demonstrate an interest in and ability to realize the mission, values, and vision of the School are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly those with knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to racial equity and critical, anti-oppressive, and social justice-oriented frameworks. Each academic year, the School of Social Work recruits a part time faculty workforce pool to teach in our various educational programs. We look for candidates whose qualifications, expertise, and interest match our teaching needs. We do not guarantee we can match applicants with their preferred courses only, we look to hire instructors who can teach across the curriculum. We are committed to hiring a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Persons with lived experience from communities of color, women, persons with disabilities, low-income communities, veterans, LGBTQ community members and members of Oregon's nine federally recognized Indian tribes are encouraged to apply.
The MSW Program will collect applications on an ongoing basis to fill vacancies throughout the academic year. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.
Part Time Faculty/Adjunct Instructor Duties Include:

• Attend orientations to teaching and course preparations
• Prepare course syllabi and update prior to the course open date, or the first day of class
• Preparing and personalizing course shell for instruction on Canvas (LMS) prior to course open date, including developing introductory video, assignment explanation videos, and ten weekly content videos for online courses
• Make contact with students enrolled in their courses within the first week of the term to introduce self
• Respond to student emails or phone calls and acknowledge their requests for assistance in timely manner
• For online courses, faculty are in contact with students at least three times per week and engaged with student discussion boards
• Grade and return papers, providing robust feedback within a reasonable time for assignments submitted in Canvas
• Provide required office hours for students to meet with you in person or online, online students tend to need evening and weekend options
• Address observed student conduct concerns (professional, ethical, or academic) in a timely manner
• Submit final course grades on Canvas for each student in assigned class.

Minimum Qualifications
M.S. or M.A. in Social Work (or closely related field) and two years post-degree practice experience in the field of social services. Seminar and Liaison positions require: two or more years in combination of the following: - faculty liaison; or - BSW/MSW practicum instructor; or - staff supervisor; or - social work educator, trainer or community member in service to social work higher education. All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous graduate teaching experience.
Key Cultural Competencies
• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adheres to all PSU's policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Required Professional Standards of Conduct
At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.
Compensation
Adjunct faculty are paid per credit hour, per the AFT Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Please submit a brief cover letter, resume/CV, and 3 professional references (contact name, phone number and email address). In your cover letter specify areas of expertise, teaching interests (specific targeted populations if any) , what makes you qualified to teach in these areas, and evidence of teaching/training effectiveness if applicable.
NOTE: The applicants for the School of Social Work Adjunct Posting will be in an open pool. If you have not been contacted about your application, it will remain active in the pool for the remainder of the academic year. Per above, there are no guarantees that the school will be hiring for any particular course. Adjunct positions are required to re-apply to PSU every academic year. All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.
The MSW Program will collect applications on an ongoing basis to fill vacancies throughout the academic year. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?
No
Background Check Required
Yes
Search Details
Posting Close Date
Projected Close Date for Posting
Open Until Filled