Temporary Independent Contractor Political Science Jobs

Temporary Faculty Pool - Lecturer in Political Science

Department Overview [Department website] 

The Department of Political Science at Fresno State is one of the strongest in the California State University system. We are a dynamic and diverse department, actively engaged in research and in our surrounding community. Our department serves approximately 230 majors in the undergraduate program and 40 graduate students seeking master's degrees in the NASPAA accredited public administration program. All of the major sub-disciplines of political science are represented within the department and the faculty is well-known for its balanced commitment to teaching, research, and public service. 

Position Summary [course catalog link]

The department seeks qualified candidate(s) to teach undergraduate courses such as:

• Introduction to American Government and Institutions, including content on California government

• Other classes that may be identified as needed to fulfill educational goals of current students (such as Modern Politics, Public Policy, California Government, or Comparative Politics)

Instructor Responsibility: Temporary faculty members are responsible for adherence to and implementation of university and system-wide policies as directed per Academic Policy Manual 306, paragraph 2. Instructors are responsible for the preparation, delivery, conducting, proctoring, and grading (as appropriate) lectures, office hours, homework assignments, quizzes, class projects, and midterm and final exams. All classes must be offered and meet as scheduled throughout the entire semester, in the mode assigned and listed in the schedule of classes (i.e. asynchronous, synchronous, in-person, or hybrid).

Conditional Appointment

Please be advised that an appointment is contingent upon budget and enrollment considerations and subject to order of assignment provisions in the collective bargaining agreement between California State University and California Faculty Association. These provisions state the "Order of Work," or the order in which available courses must be assigned to faculty, starting with tenure line faculty and ending with new lecturer appointees.

Appointees will be required to demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. California State University, Fresno does not sponsor Temporary Faculty for work visas.

Compensation - Commensurate by qualifications and experience within salary range placement. The salary ranges are established by the CSU Salary Schedule (Class Code = 2358 for Academic Year Lecturers).

The salary range for Temporary Faculty with a Master's degree is $5,507-6,677 per a month when teaching full time (15 WTUs). Starting salaries are usually at or near the minimum of the range. Actual monthly salary will be adjusted based on the number of WTUs assigned per an academic term.

Anticipated Semester

The temporary faculty pool is continuously open, and positions are filled as needed, based on student enrollment and funding. This is a pool of part-time lecturers for the department to draw on as necessary. The number of positions varies from semester to semester, depending on the needs of the Department. Appointments from the pool are temporary and often made just prior to the start of the academic term. Applicants may need to be available to begin teaching on short notice. The pool will remain in place for two academic terms; those interested in remaining in the pool beyond that time must reapply.

• Fall 2026: August 19, 2026 - December 22, 2026;
• Spring 2027: January 15, 2027 - May 26, 2027

Required Qualifications:

Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent): A Master's degree in Political Science with an emphasis in American Politics (or a closely related field). 

Experience:  

1. Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

2. Experience teaching American Government or related college courses at the collegiate level. 

Preferred Qualifications:

1. A commitment to teaching excellence at the undergraduate level, which may be exhibited through prior teaching experiences and teaching evaluations, or other evidence.  

2. Successful teaching experience at the undergraduate level.

3. Experience teaching American Government at the collegiate level in California. 

4. Ph.D. in Political Science preferred 

Application Procedures:

A review of applications continues on a rolling basis as teaching positions open. Review may begin as early June 15th, 2026 for a Fall 2026 assignment.

• Deadline is July 1st, 2026 to be fully considered for Fall 2026 hiring.
• Projected deadline is October 31, 2026 to be fully considered for Spring 2027 hiring.
• Projected Job Announcement for 2026-2027 Academic Year closing date is March 1, 2027.

Complete an online application at https://careers.fresnostate.edu, search for the appropriate Job Announcement, Create an Applicant Profile, or Login if you have already have an Applicant Profile, and attach the following materials:

1. Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience, and list of courses you are interested and qualified in teaching,

2. Curriculum vitae,

3. Names and contact information of at least three professional references are a part of the online application. Do not submit or attach letters. If considered for hire, the committee will request current letters of recommendation.

4. Copies of unofficial transcripts from all relevant educational programs,

5. At least one syllabus for a class taught recently, preferably an American and California Government course.

For inquiries contact Dr. Lisa Bryant, Chair, E-mail: lbryant@csufresno.edu

The position advertised will remain open until filled. Interviews may follow. Qualified applicants not hired at this time will remain in this pool for future consideration.

About the Campus

California State University, Fresno, is a forward-looking and diverse institution located in California's Central Valley, known for its agriculture, reasonable housing costs, cultural diversity, and proximity to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada.

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

The campus is ranked 36th in the nation by Washington Monthly's 2022 National University Rankings, and ranked 25th in the nation in MONEY Magazines 50 Best Public Colleges. The campus is classified as an R2 "Doctoral Universities - High research activities" university per Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Fresno State's Principles of Community

These Principles were developed collaboratively by faculty, staff, and administrators. They exemplify what we aspire to be. Find out more about our Principles of Community here. 

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. 

Our Students

California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Other Campus Information

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/clery/index.html. Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

A background check (including criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily for this position. An offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment. 

California State University, Fresno is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and vapor-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of a protected status: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition and covered veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.  Questions regarding COVID19 may be sent to hr@csufresno.edu. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/. 

Out of State Employment

Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.