Field Director, Master of Social Work Program - College of Education and Community Innovation

About the role

Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) School of Social Work seeks a Field Director for the MSW program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) classifies GVSU MSW program as campus-based and all required courses are taught in person or hybrid. Salary & Benefits:   $72,000-$76,000, commensurate with experience   Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.   Primary Duties:   Coordination and placement of all MSW students entering field education, including orientation, evaluating student interest and educational needs, verifying academic readiness for field education, and making placement decisions, including employment-based field placement proposals. P r ovide c onsult a tion a nd m e di a tion, a s n ece s s a r y, to stud e nts, Field Education Supervisor s a nd f a c ul t y f i e ld li a isons. I f / wh e n in f o r m a l m e thods to a dd re ss c on c er ns in t he f i e ld e du c a tion ar e u n su cce ss f ul, the MSW Field Director will impl e m e nt poli c i e s re l a t e d to dis r upt e d pl ace m e n t s th r ou g h the p rac ti c um r e vi e w p r o c e ss. D e v e lop, m a int a in, a ssist, monito r, a nd e v a lu a te community f i e ld pl ace m e nt sit e s. R ecr uit, s cr e e n, a nd d e v e lop qu a li t y n e w a nd e x p a nd e d f i e ld pl a c e m e nt lo c a tions, in c luding those f or sp ec i a li z e d a nd und er s er v e d popul a tions. Work with the GVSU Health Compliance office to complete affiliation agreements with social work field placement sites. Work with GVSU Health Compliance staff to ensure students complete Health Compliance requirements before and during field education. Attend and participate in the Health Compliance -Clinical Placement Committee’s quarterly meetings. Ev a lu a te stud e nt l e a r ning e x p er i e n ce s, p r o g re ss, a n d out c om e s. D e v e lop, e v a lu a t e, upd a t e, a nd impl e m e nt poli c i e s a nd p r o ce d u re s f o r f i e ld e du ca tion, in c luding re v i e wi n g a nd re vising the f i e ld e du c a tion m a nu a l. Maintain documentation including student field applications, new supervisor information, agency surveys, database entry, and online learning contract portal. R e g ul a r c oll a bo r a tion a n d c ommuni ca tion with d e p ar tm e nt di rec to r s, fac ul t y, st a f f, stud e nts, a nd the c ommuni t y. C oll a bo ra tion with oth e r univ er si t y d e p ar tm e nts t h a t int er s ec t with f i e ld e d u ca tion ( P a dnos I nt e r n a tion a l C e nt e r, H ea lth C ompli a n ce, L e g a l, C lini ca l P l ace m e nt C oun c il, e t c. ). Ma int a in re l a tionships with c ommuni t y p ar tn e r s a nd e x isting f i e ld e du ca ti o n sit e s. Condu c t a n a nnu a l e v a lu a tion of f i e ld e du c a tion, id e nti f y i n g, pl a nni n g, a nd a dd re ssi n g t re nds in f i e ld e du c a tion. Coll ec t a nd/or a n a l y z e f i e ld out c ome d a t a. Se l ec t, o r i e nt, a nd d e v e l o p wo r k of the Fac ul t y F i e ld L i a isons, including meetings every semester. Coo r din a te a nd a ss i g n stud e nts to Fac ul t y F i e ld Li a isons a nd s e min a r g r o u ps. Conv e ne P rac ti c um R e v i e w C ommitt ee, F i e ld A d viso r y B o ar d, F a c ul t y F i e ld L i a ison m ee tin g s, a nd F i e ld Ed u c a tion P rac ti c e C ommitt ee. P l a n, o r g a ni z e, a nd c ond u c t f i e ld e du c a tion t ra ining f o r f a c ul t y liaisons, stud e nts, a n d a g e n c y- b a s ed Field Education Supervisor s re l a t e d t o f i e ld e du ca tion. Coll a bo ra te with f i e ld e d u ca tion director s a t oth e r c oll e g e s a nd univ er s i ti e s on the e nh a n c e m e nt of f i e ld e d u ca tion. Plan, coordinate, and implement annual Field Supervisor Thank You event. Remain abreast of CSWE policies and procedures as they relate to Field Education and attend any relevant trainings/conferences. Participate in re-accreditation processes as related to Field Education. Attend/participate in Faculty/Staff meetings. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE accredited MSW Program. Minimum of two years of post-MSW professional social work experience. Evidence of critical, reflective thinking about the role of field education within social work education. Record of, or demonstrated potential for, working with graduate students and community partners to support MSW field education.  Ability to provide leadership to the field education program through practice experience, field instruction experience, and administrative or other relevant academic and professional activities in social work Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, including a clear commitment to anti-racist social work practice in alignment with CSWE standards. Demonstrated ability to establish professional relationships, partnerships and collaborations, and network with community organizations and agencies. Ability to work productively with colleagues with flexibility and creativity. Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   Three years or more post MSW professional social work experience. LMSW (or equivalent license). Previous field placement coordination experience, strong skills in mediation and collaboration, knowledge of area social service agencies, and experience in program development and management. Ability to contribute to the diversity of the faculty through lived experience and/or professional practice.  How to Apply:   Please include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation for the MSW Field Education Director position; (2) curriculum vitae or resume. Applications missing required documents will not be considered. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Cray Mulder at.  If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at.     Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.     Application Deadline:   Application closes September 24, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See  . TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).   Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.