Assistant Professor – Exceptional Student Education

Department: Language, Literacy, Ed.D, Exceptional Education and Physical Education / 1717000

College/Division: College of Education

Salary Plan: Faculty

Hiring Salary/Salary Range:  Negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience 

The Department of Language, Literacy, Ed.D., Exceptional Education, and Physical Education (LLEEP) is a multi-campus academic unit, with faculty on all three campuses of the University of South Florida System. The Department provides undergraduate, graduate, and in-service programs and learning experiences that reflect collaboration with stakeholders, incorporation of professional practice standards, and alignment with state, national, and international standards. The faculty and staff of the LLEEP Department are committed to preparing lifelong learners who consider multiple perspectives; embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and advocacy; think critically; and make informed, evidence-based decisions.

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program prepares scholars and educators by committing to socially just and anti-racist advocacy. We offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching to prepare preservice teachers to identify the varying needs of students with exceptionalities, effectively monitor student progress, and utilize evidenced-based instructional strategies to meet students’ diverse learning and behavior needs. These programs lead to certification in K-12 Exceptional Student Education in the State of Florida and endorsements in both Reading and ESOL. We also offer a Master of Arts degree in Exceptional Student Education and Graduate Certificates in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Exceptional Student Education, and Severe and Profound Disabilities. Additionally, we offer a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education.

The Exceptional Student Education program invites candidates to apply for a tenure-earning Assistant Professor position on the Tampa campus. We are particularly interested in candidates who can build upon and expand our research portfolio. We are excited to hire a passionate scholar with a vision and proven record of advocating for the diverse needs of students with exceptionalities. The successful candidate will be expected to advance the program’s goals by maintaining their research agenda and contributing to graduate teaching and mentoring. The candidate will also be expected to demonstrate research innovation, seek partnerships with our diverse and inclusive community for local, national, and global impact, and work to maintain a sustainable and adaptable financial base at USF. Candidates are expected to have a record of research achievement commensurate with experience, including a record of publications and/or potential for publication in top and key professional special education journals and the potential for or a record of securing externally funded grants.

A strong candidate will have a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and student success and will have a developing expertise and research agenda addressing critical needs in the field of special education (e.g., diversity and social justice, high-incidence disabilities, effective instructional practice/intensive intervention, working with families, Autism, and school-university partnerships, collaboration, teacher education, instructional/educational technology, Transition from School to Adult Life).

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• publish in high impact outlets
• seek and successfully obtain external funding
• teach graduate and undergraduate courses within exceptional student education
• mentor doctoral students and provide opportunities for doctoral students regarding publishing, teaching, and grant-writing
• engage in service to the program, department, college, university, community, and profession
• collaborate with program, department, college, and school colleagues

This is a 9-month, tenure-track position, effective August 7, 2024, with a typical teaching load of two courses per semester.

Required Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in Special Education (or closely related field) by the time of appointment
• Evidence of publication in special education outlets commensurate with experience
• A record of professional presentations in special education commensurate with experience
• Evidence of teaching excellence and effectiveness at the college level, commensurate with experience
• Experience teaching children and youth in PK-12 schools and/or transition-related settings
• Demonstrated commitment to issues of equity for deverse learners

Preferred Qualifications:

• A record of publication in high-impact journals commensurate with experience
• Sucess in receiving external funding commersurate with experience
• Evidence of excellence and effectiveness in teaching at the college level, commensurate with experience
• Willingness to contribute to school-based partnership efforts

• Expertise in the use of technology for teaching and learning, including developing advanced pedagogies for teaching online courses, commensurate with experience
• Demonstrated experience in teaching online, commensurate with experience
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: High Incidence Disability populations, ASD/Low Incidence Populations, Assistive Technology, Reading/Literacy, Mathematics, Progress Monitoring, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Intersections of Culture and Disability, Teacher Education, and effective Instructional Practice/Intensive intervention, and Transition from School to Adult Life
• Evidence of working as a contributing member of a collaborative group
• Evidence of a commitment to student success at the college level, including the success of a diverse student population
• Evidence of the desire to mentor graduate students.

Information for Applicants 

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 

Posting Date:  10/31/2023

Posting End Date: 01/28/2024

Application Process:

USF welcomes applications from qualified applicants who have knowledge of and experience with individuals representing diverse backgrounds and cultures. Applications should include a letter describing qualifications for the position in each of the above areas, current vita, unofficial university transcripts, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of four professional references. Position finalists will be required to provide official university transcripts and letters of recommendation from professional references. Letters from references are not required at the time of application. References will not be contacted until the advanced stages of screening, and candidates will receive prior notification.  Please specify Position #19822 on all submitted documents.  All required documents must be uploaded in one PDF attachment.

Application Deadline:

Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by 5:00 pm EST on November 30, 2023. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.  Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. David Allsopp, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected] or (813) 728-6863.

About the College

Home to more than 2,400 students and 125 faculty members, the University of South Florida College of Education values high-quality education and excellence in research, teaching, and learning. The college is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the educator preparation programs are fully approved by the Florida Department of Education. At a time when the skills and pedagogy of classroom teachers and school administrators are more important than ever, the USF College of Education offers state-of-the-art teacher preparation and collaborative and collegial graduate studies designed to empower educational leaders. Working closely with school district partners across the Tampa Bay region, the College seeks to join with the community to extend proven educational initiatives and discover new ways of preparing life-long learners. The College faculty engage in innovative, interdisciplinary research addressing some of the greatest challenges facing the education field.  Each year, our faculty publish hundreds of scholarly works showcasing our impact in local communities and throughout the world.  Faculty in the College of Education were awarded over $28 million in internal and external funding in FY 2022.  The USF College of Education is in the top 100 (#62 for 2022) in overall rankings for “America’s Best Education Schools.”

The USF College of Education is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni that honors differences, provides equitable opportunities, fosters mutual respect, challenges stereotyped preconceptions, and condemns all forms of discrimination and prejudice. We respect and appreciate the diversity of human experiences differentiated by, for example, age, ancestry, circumstance, citizenship, culture, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender, language, nationality, political beliefs, race, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic circumstances.  For information about USF see: www.usf.edu

How To Apply 

Click on the Apply Now button.  When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above.  YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

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Equal Employment Opportunity 

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.

The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sexual harassment. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made at any time either online or directly to the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

Work Location 

Campus map and location overview: USF – Tampa Campus

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Working at USF 

With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region.  At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees.  We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.

To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here .

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