Assistant Professor for Public Policy and Administration

Assistant Professor for Public Policy and
Administration

Position: Assistant Professor of
Public Policy and Administration

Type: Tenure-Track, Full-Time Academic
Year: 2027-2028 Available: Fall
2027

Location: Department of Public Policy and
Administration

College of Business and Public Administration

California State University, Bakersfield

9001 Stockdale Highway

Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099

Contact: Dr. Chandrasekhar Commuri
(org-ppasearch2026@csub.edu)

Application Deadline: Priority consideration will
be given to complete applications submitted by Monday.
February 1, 2027. Applications submitted after the
deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the committee until
the position is filled.

University Background: CSU Bakersfield, founded in
1970, is a regional, comprehensive university serving the southern
San Joaquin Valley of California. CSU Bakersfield's service area
covers nearly 25,000 square miles and is home to a socially and
ethnically diverse population. CSU Bakersfield is the only
four-year degree granting institution within a 100-mile radius. Due
to this, CSU Bakersfield has a vital role in educational
obtainment, economic development, and quality of life within the
region. The campus serves approximately 9,400 undergraduate
students and 1,350 graduate, credential, and post-baccalaureate
students. CSU Bakersfield is a federally designated Hispanic
Serving Institution (HSI).

The accolades recently received by CSU Bakersfield include: #18 in

Top Public Schools in the West and #21 in
Top Performers on Social Mobility (U.S. News & World
Report, 2026), 4.5 out of 5 stars and named one of
America's Best Colleges (Money, 2026), #8 in
Master's Universities, #17 in
Best Bang for the Buck: West, and #44 in
Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars (Washington
Monthly, 2025), #4 in California
Mobility Index (College Futures Foundation, 2025), #23 in
Social Mobility
Index (CollegeNET, 2025), #9 in Economic
Mobility Index (Third Way, 2024), and in the Top 50
Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the US (University
HQ, 2025).

Commitment to Diversity: The Department of Public
Policy and Administration within the College of Business and Public
Administration at CSU Bakersfield is committed to academic and
inclusive excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and
student body.

College Information: The College of Business and
Public Administration (BPA) holds accreditation from AACSB (for the
MBA and BSBA) and NASPAA (for the MPA) and houses 4 departments.
Undergraduate degrees offered include BS in Business
Administration, BS in Agricultural Business, BS in Economics, BS in
Environmental Resource Management, and BA in Public Administration.
Through dynamic and impactful programs, we support our students
from diverse backgrounds to achieve their personal and professional
goals to prepare them to be ethical and transformative leaders in
the community. BPA seeks to lead the region in cultivating
innovative, inclusive, and value-added education, positively
impacting our students and communities. Visit the web page at
https://ww.csub.edu/BPA for
additional information about BPA.

Department Information: The Department of Public
Policy and Administration (PPA) at CSU Bakersfield offers 3 degree
programs: Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration (BAPA), NASPAA
accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Master of
Science in Heath Care Administration (MS-HCA). The purpose of the
PPA programs is to prepare competent, ethical and effective
managers and leaders in government, nonprofit, and health care
organizations to advance public service. The Department has an
outstanding reputation in the community with an advisory board
consisting of leaders from public, nonprofit, and healthcare
organizations. Twelve of our alumni have been inducted into the
CSUB Hall of Fame. For more information about the PPA Department,
please visit
https://www.csub.edu/bpa/public-policy-and-administration/ppa.shtml.

Position Description and Duties:

The successful candidate must be committed to excellence in
teaching, maintaining a scholarly record consistent with NASPAA
standards, and providing service as needed to our department,
college, university, CSU system, the field, and the broader
community. Our programs and faculty are committed to offering
in-person courses at our main campus in Bakersfield and our
satellite campus in the Antelope Valley, and through other means to
best serve our students and other stakeholders.

Teaching responsibilities include core and elective courses in the
undergraduate and graduate courses in our three degree programs. We
expect candidates to teach in specialized areas of interest.
However, because we are a small department, the candidate must be
willing to teach a broad range of courses in face-to-face, fully
online, hybrid, and other instructional modalities, as
needed.

The successful candidate will maintain an active program of
scholarly research with publications in peer-reviewed academic
journals consistent with departmental and college expectations and
will contribute to departmental initiatives in program development,
assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration in support of the
College of Business and Public Administration's mission.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute meaningfully to
departmental, college, and university service, and to meet the
department's service criteria. This includes, but is not limited
to, participation in accreditation and assessment efforts,
engagement in professional service within the discipline, and
involvement in activities that support the mission of the
institution and its students and community. Candidates are also
expected to develop new courses as needed to meet the emerging
needs of our stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Healthcare

Administration/Policy or in a related field, with a focus on Human
Resources Management or Healthcare Administration. Other areas of
specialization will also be considered.

• Applicants nearing completion of a doctoral degree may be

considered; however, employment is contingent upon submission of
evidence of degree completion by August 1, 2027.

• Evidence of successful teaching experience in higher

education

• Evidence of a record of, or strong potential for, conducting

high-quality research.

• Willingness to engage in Departmental, College, University, and

Community service activities.

• Demonstrated commitment to teaching from diverse socioeconomic,

cultural, and academic backgrounds, including first-generation
students.

Rank and Salary:

• Assistant Professor; salary based on qualifications and

experience.

• Anticipated annual salary range: $75,000 - $85,000.

Benefits: Faculty employee benefits are very
competitive for the higher education sector. See the
CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU's
excellent benefits package.

Application Process: Please apply online at the
CSUB Careers site (https://careers.csub.edu/en-us/listing/).
Submitted materials should include the following:

• Cover letter describing interest in position, qualifications,

and recent experience

• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned
• Three current professional references with names and contact

information. References will not be contacted without prior
notification to applicants.

• A statement about fostering an inclusive classroom OR a

statement describing your contribution to diversity, equity and
inclusion through your teaching, scholarly activities, and/or
service.

Background Check: A background check (including a
criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed. Offers of
employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background
check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered
that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.
Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect
the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was
conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will
be required to disclose whether they have received a final
administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that
they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years,
only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum
qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment
is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the
application process must sign a release form that authorizes the
release of information by the applicant's current and/or former
employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of
misconduct.

Authorization to Work: Employment is contingent
upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United
States. CSUB is currently unable to sponsor new H-1B employment
visas which are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the
"Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain
Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are
responsible for determining the applicability of the fee. For
candidates already in the United States who hold a valid
nonimmigrant visa (such as F-1, J-1, or O-1), CSU Bakersfield may
consider filing a petition to change their status to H-1B if the
$100,000 fee does not apply.

Out of State Employment: Per CSU-wide policy, all
faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a
12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required
to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty
assignments include in-person duties that require an on-campus
presence.

Mandated Reporter: The person holding this
position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply
with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a
condition of employment. The person will also have a duty to report
to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to
discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or exploitation,
dating or domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation under the
CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy.

Clery Act: CSUB's annual crime report includes
statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes
that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus centers, such as our
Antelope Valley Satellite Campus, and on property within, or
immediately adjacent to and accessible from CSUB. The report also
includes policies concerning security on campus, such as alcohol
and drug use, crime prevention, reporting crimes, sexual assault,
and other subjects. Additionally, a daily log of offenses is
maintained and can be reviewed at the front desk of the Department
of Public Safety. You can obtain a copy of the annual report by
contacting the Department of Public Safety/University Police at
(661) 654-2111 or by logging on to their website at https://www.csub.edu/compliance/Clery.

EEO Statement: All university programs and
activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex,
color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law
and federal civil rights laws, CSUB provides equal opportunity in
education and employment without unlawful discrimination or
preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or
national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring
that every student and employee has access to the resources and
support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment
and in their communities.

CSUB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the
California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition
209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other
applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's
Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential
treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status,
and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all
university programs, policies, and practices.

CSUB is a diverse community of individuals who represent many
perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an
inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We
cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging
to support educational excellence and student success. Through
academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty
initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful
engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education
institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering
individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive
curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student
mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At CSUB, excellence
is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal
opportunity for all.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9921086"">https://careers.pageuppeople.com/873/bk/en-us/job/563244/assistant-professor-for-public-policy-and-administration

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