Assoc. Professor - History jobs in Santa Maria, CA

THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

The History Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Modern Latinx/e and/or Chicanx/e History to begin September 16, 2024. Fields of specialization are flexible beyond this general area, though we are especially interested in candidates whose research and teaching investigates (im)migrations, diasporic communities, race, and ethnicity. 

We are seeking applicants who can expand our course offerings in Latinx/e and/or Chicanx/e History.  Applicants must have a Ph.D. in hand at the time of appointment and should demonstrate the ability to design and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Latinx/e and/or Chicanx/e History and other areas related to the candidate's specialization(s) as this will be the primary teaching assignment. Other course expectations would be lower-division general education U.S. History survey. The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in research, teaching, service, and to supporting underrepresented communities through their research, service, teaching, public history projects, and/or community engagement.

Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study. This position is part of a college-wide cluster of searches designed to increase curricular coverage of areas related to DEI, as well as to promote inclusive and equity-minded teaching strategies across the university. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the college’s goals in these areas.

The other searches in this cluster are for positions in the following disciplines across campus:

• Psychological Aspects of Migration in Latinx/e Youth and Families (Psychology & Child Development)
• Global Studies, with a focus on Latinx/e Migration and the Environment (Interdisciplinary Studies)
• Latinx/e Migration and/or Immigration Studies (Political Science)

Candidates selected through this DEI cluster hire will be given start-up funds to support their work in DEI. Once hired, candidates will collaborate with their dean and others to develop a plan for utilizing these funds for supplemental compensation, assigned time, or professional development activities.

For more information about Cal Poly’s DEI-Focused Cluster Hires, please visit: https://cla.calpoly.edu/diversity-cluster. 

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units (three courses) per quarter, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member.

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees, and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences, and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an equal-opportunity employer.

Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.

SALARY

Anticipated Hiring Range: $81,888 - $87,552/year, $6,824-$7,296/month (Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in history or closely related discipline, earned or nearing completion
• Evidence of potential for scholarly and/or creative achievement in the area of study (Modern Latinx/e and Chicanx/e History)
• Ability to teach specialized courses in the area of study
• Demonstrated teaching experience or potential for successful teaching
• Demonstrated record or potential in teaching, service, and research of serving underrepresented communities and to campus diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts with a clear understanding of the issues faced by underserved communities
• Experience in designing and implementing inclusive and culturally responsive curriculum that reflects a diverse range of historical perspectives and voices, particularly those of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Willingness to participate in interdisciplinary programs overlapping with their area of study, including course development and possible curriculum development
• Ability to teach general education United States history courses
• Demonstrated experience or potential to work with diverse populations and foster a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment
• With 77% of youth in California identifying as people of color, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability or potential to recruit, support, and advise students from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, and students from low-income backgrounds
• Demonstrated record or potential in developing and implementing community-engaged projects or service-learning initiatives that address the historical and contemporary needs of local communities, particularly those that are historically marginalized
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, students, and community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.  At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The History Department, in the College of Liberal Arts, has 12 history professors and 8 lecturers, most of whom teach nearly full-time. The department serves approximately 235 history majors, 11 History-Social Sciences Credential Candidates, 20 history MA graduate students, and 50 history minors, as well as the general university population. The department also plays important roles in the Asian Studies Minor and Equity in Education Minor. The department’s website is: https://history.calpoly.edu/

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #533742 Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• Current curriculum vitae
• Cover Letter [may wish to address the feasibility of conducting research, scholarship, and/or creative activities within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program]
  
• Diversity Statement: [Statement of demonstrated commitment to DEI in teaching, scholarship, and/or service describing past experience, contributions to DEI efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field, and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly]
• Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned, official transcripts showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment
• Summary of courses previously taught
• Cal Poly courses for which the candidate is qualified and interested in teaching
• Course materials and syllabi
• Student Evaluations
• Evidence of Research, Scholarship or Creative Activities

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.  Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the individuals listed by applicants. Official sealed transcript showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment.

Projected Start Date: 09-16-2024

Review Begin Date: 01-01-2024. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered. 

For questions about the position please contact Joel Orth via email at jorth@calpoly.edu