Assistant Professor, Public Administration

Public Administration
Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Assistant Professor
Fall 2026

The Division of Politics, Administration and Justice at California State University, Fullerton invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Public Administration position focused on Human Resource Management in the public sector, beginning Fall 2026.

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is an equal opportunity employer and a minority serving institution with a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. CSUF is firmly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum and fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. Individuals advancing the University’s strategic diversity goals and those from groups with underrepresentation in the American professoriate are particularly encouraged to apply.

Public Administration currently has eight tenured or tenure track faculty and we provide a welcoming and collegial environment for faculty. Our location in Orange County provides ample opportunities for engagement with the local public sector and the opportunity to foster growth and change the lives of our students. CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates whose research focuses on human resource practices, policies, and organizational studies related to diverse or marginalized communities and experiences in the public sector.

Position
CSUF faculty members engage students through teaching, mentorship, and research that emphasizes public service and governance. The successful candidate will develop and teach courses in Human Resource Management, Public Personnel Administration, Organizational Theory, and Introduction to Public Administration at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate students, maintaining an active research agenda, engaging with students inside and outside the classroom through mentoring and advising, contributing actively to the MPA program by developing curriculum, supporting assessment efforts, and fostering professional networks, serving on departmental and university committees, and participating in professional and scholarly communities.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Affairs, or a closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered but Ph.D. must be conferred before the start of the appointment
• Evidence of effective teaching experience in undergraduate or graduate and courses in Human Resource Management, Public Personnel Administration, Organizational Theory, or Introduction to Public Administration
• Evidence of, or a demonstrated commitment to developing, inclusive practices that support a diverse student population.
• Record of scholarly accomplishments or clear plan for scholarly impact

Preferred Qualifications

• Research agenda examining public sector human resources, personnel administration, or organizational practices impacting diverse or marginalized communities
• Professional experience in the public sector relevant to public administration, human resources, or personnel administration
• Evidence of active involvement in professional communities, civic groups, or campus organizations.
• Professional development, innovation, or training in teaching pedagogy

Application
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply, please visit http://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/Faculty.php , choose full-time faculty, search for the position 551196, and provide the following required materials:

• Cover letter in which you respond to the qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement
• Writing/publication sample(s)
• Teaching statement
• Candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (no more than 500 words):
  • Inclusive excellence is a strategic framework that recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in achieving organizational success and high-quality learning and teaching. It's a way of thinking and acting that integrates these values into all aspects of an institution, from curriculum and pedagogy to recruitment and hiring. Essentially, it means that excellence is not just about achieving high standards, but also about ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to thrive and contribute (Williams et al., 2005).
  • With the Inclusive Excellence Statement, we aim to learn about the applicant’s perspective on their past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting and engaging with a diverse student population. This statement should showcase the candidate's professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to teach and create an academic environment supportive of all students, including but not limited to those of diverse ages, abilities, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, languages, religions, and sexual orientations.
  • Cal State Fullerton serves a student body that reflects the rich cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic mosaic of Southern California. Please provide concrete examples of how you, as a faculty member, will support our students in one or more of the following areas, which fall under the areas of awareness and understanding, experience and commitment, and future plans.
  • Your contributions (past, present, or future) to embedding perspectives that are reflective of the student population into your teaching and/or scholarship.
  • Your experience in service activities that are reflective of a diverse student population.
  • Your experience and commitment to mentoring and providing opportunities to a diverse student body inside and outside the classroom environment.
  • Your experience integrating creative activities that are inclusive of the identities of our student body and communities

A list of three references with relevant contact information

• Finalists must submit three letters of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit. On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a request via email along with information on uploading the letter. You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by logging back into your applicant portal.

Semifinalists and/or finalists may be asked to submit additional materials for further consideration (e.g., scholarly articles, portfolio, etc.). Graduate Transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review)
Direct inquiries to: Dr. David P. Adams ( dpadams@fullerton.edu ; 657-278-4770).

Application Deadline
For full consideration, applications must be received by October 1, 2025. Anticipated appointment begins August 2026.

The College and Department
Public Administration is part of the interdisciplinary Division of Politics, Administration & Justice, offering opportunities for collaboration with colleagues in Political Science and Criminal Justice. The Division is housed within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Compensation
The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $6,990 to $7,130 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work ( https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).

Summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funding, and reduced teaching loads may be available.

CSUF Benefits
CSUF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, dental insurance; fee waivers for spouses/domestic partners/dependents; campus child-care; defined-benefit retirement plans; and optional tax-sheltered savings opportunities. Detailed information is available at https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.

The Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice is committed to supporting faculty in their professional development and success. We offer a collegial environment with opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and engagement in research and teaching. Support for professional development, including funding for conferences and research, is available.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017, are subject to a 10-year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Additional Information
Multiple hires may result from this recruitment based on applicant pool strength.

CSU Policies
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.
Notice of Non-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator ( http://www.fullerton.edu/titleix/about/notice.php).

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. It requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.

At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States. For information on the University policy on support for non-immigrant probationary faculty visa acquisition, please visit the Faculty/Staff Visas and Permanent Residency page: https://hr.fullerton.edu/risk-management/faculty-staff-visas-permanent-residency/default.php

Advertised: Aug 28 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

• 

• Cal State University (CSU) Fullerton

• 657-278-2200

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