University of San Francisco Seeks Visitor

Job Title:

Visiting Professor, School of Law

Job Summary:

The University of San Francisco School of Law is seeking applicants for at least one visiting professor for the 2023-2024 academic year. USF Law welcomes outstanding candidates in Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, and Criminal Law. Secondary expertise in Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Wills and Trusts, and / or Race and the Law is an advantage. The Visitor(s) may also have the opportunity to teach an elective/seminar, if the schedule permits, as part of a commitment to two courses each semester.

USF is located in one of the world’s most dynamic and progressive cities, which affords our community a global perspective and access to premier arts, culture, and centers of innovation. The campus sits in a beautiful neighborhood just north of Golden Gate Park and halfway between Ocean Beach and the Financial District.

The University of San Francisco School of Law is steeped in a commitment to social responsibility and justice, hallmarks of Jesuit education, and focused on the training of skilled, ethical, and engaged lawyers. The Law School has a proud 110-year history of preparing its diverse graduates to be excellent and ethical attorneys who serve their clients and communities with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. The law school is committed to recruiting and retaining BIPOC faculty to reflect its mission and practice.

In order to serve all of our students, including Black-identified and Latinx students–who make up 15% and 21% of our undergraduate student body respectively–the University of San Francisco is seeking to hire a cohort of new faculty whose scholarship and/or community-engaged research and creative work focuses on the experiences of people from underrepresented communities including but not limited to Black and Latinx communities, or antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion more generally, and who have proven expertise and experience in mentoring students from these communities or first generation college students.

USF is entering into the second year of a very successful faculty diversity hiring initiative. Junior faculty are invited to participate in mentoring, community building and peer to peer opportunities coordinated by the Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion and Faculty Excellence. Faculty also enjoy peer support through affinity groups such as the Asian and Asian American Staff/Faculty Council, Black Community Council, LGBTQ Caucus, La Colectiva of Latinx Staff and Faculty and LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Caucus.

In addition all new faculty have access to a free membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity and support from the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Center for Research, Artistic and Scholarly Excellence.

Successful candidates possess a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school and will demonstrate:
● a record of professional excellence and strong classroom teaching skills;
● a commitment to service and potential for success as a contributing member of a dynamic and diverse community
● a willingness and ability to perform in either an in-person, hyflex, or remote modality.

The Visiting Professor is a temporary non-tenure track appointment given to faculty with special skills to complement the law school curriculum. The appointee will often be on leave or be retired from a full-time faculty position at another university, though experienced practitioners are encouraged to apply. While in residence, the Visiting Professor will plan, organize, and teach in the school’s programs; perform research, and complete any other duties as assigned by the Dean or Associate Dean.

Full Job Description:

Job Responsibilities:

• Effective teaching and classroom instruction including delivering lectures and facilitating class discussions

• Use formative assessment techniques in order to provide students with “real time” feedback on their writing and understanding of course material (e.g., midterm exam, short writing assignments, multiple choice questions, etc.)

• Observe regular office hours and be available to students during office hours and by appointment

• Prepare course syllabus, homework assignments, handouts, and relevant course materials

• Grade and evaluate students’ coursework and submit grades promptly by established deadlines

• Return student exams with comments

• Advise students and provide mentorship on academic, bar prep and curricula issues

• Participate in faculty activities such as scholarship and teaching lunches, faculty meetings, and possibly serve on school of law committees

Minimum Requirements:

• Understanding and commitment to USF’s mission, vision, and values. 

• JD required

• Expertise in particular course subject matter

• Three years of legal experience or three years teaching experience

• Experience with or the ability to work with a diverse student body, faculty, and staff.  Strong equity lens, cultural humility, and proven ability to work well in a diverse context.

Additional Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Experience supporting Black and Latinx students and communities preferred

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, and court procedures

• Familiarity with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Canvas and Zoom a plus

• Additional duties as assigned by the Dean or Associate Dean

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

Individuals will provide lectures in a classroom or auditorium setting or by Zoom and provide counseling to students in an office during office hours or by telephone or electronic communication. These duties may require standing or sitting for long periods of time, transporting class materials, and working at a computer or desk.

Travel and other work environments may be required depending on the special skills and assignments of the visiting professor.

Application Requirements:

Please apply with the following information:

• Cover letter indicating the reasons for your interest in USF, the courses you are most interested in and qualified to teach and listing others you would be willing to teach.

• A current curriculum vitae, clearly stating your teaching experience.

• Applicants must include a Diversity Statement with their application.  The Diversity Statement must be at least 1-2 pages and include a robust reflection on ADEI practices with concrete and detailed examples. The diversity statement can include evidence of:

  • Experience working with or commitment to multicultural, underrepresented, underserved, and diverse communities;

  • Experience working with or commitment to: people of color; first generation scholars; women of color; transgender and non-binary people; people living with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people

  • Experience with or commitment to engaging students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations;

  • Knowledge of or sensitivity to the specific concerns and issues of underrepresented populations

• Course evaluations for the relevant classes.

References will be solicited from finalists and do not need to be submitted with the initial application.

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Pay Rate:

Salary

Salary Range :

$120,000 - $160,000 annualized; commensurate with experience

Job posting is here.