Assistant-Associate Professor

An undergraduate minor in Addiction and Substance Abuse

These programs prepare students to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) or Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs), with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and service to individuals with disabilities and mental health needs.

The University of South Florida (USF) College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) proudly houses the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW), commissioned by the Florida Legislature, to strengthen the state's behavioral health system through workforce development. CBCS also houses a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and recently established a research center in substance abuse and mental health research that is funded by the state of Florida.

These three positions are tenure earning/tenured 9-month Assistant-Associate faculty positions. This position will teach in-person courses in the program during Fall and Spring semesters. The position will have responsibilities as a core faculty member, with responsibilities for both research and teaching. The role will include responsibilities for research and securing external grant funding, mentoring and advising graduate students, teaching, and university, community, and professional service. Successful applicants must meet University of South Florida criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, including holding a doctoral degree from an accredited institution. This position will be a part of the USF Tampa Campus.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Develop and maintain an active research line in clinical mental health and/or clinical rehabilitation counseling, including pursuit of external grant funding opportunities and scholarly publications and presentations.
• Develop/teach graduate-level courses in a variety of formats (in-person, online, and hybrid) and provide clinical supervision of rehabilitation and mental health counseling students.

• Support and strengthen the program's thesis track by mentoring graduate student research, serving on student thesis committees, and contributing to the ongoing development and advancement of the thesis program.

• Opportunity to mentor and support doctoral candidates within the interdisciplinary behavioral health doctoral program.
• Participate in service activities within the department, college, and university, as well as in professional counseling organizations.
• Work collaboratively and ethically with other faculty, staff, and students within the department, college, and university, while promoting the mission and goals of the department and counseling profession.

Assessment of qualifications will be adjusted based on the capacity of the rank of the applicant (e.g. Assistant or Associate). ABD will be considered with appropriate experience. Degree must be conferred by the date of the appointment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in Counselor Education (preferably from a CACREP-accredited program) or a closely related field and meets the University's criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.
• Possession of or eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida or Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) status within one year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strongly preferred: applicant meets the CACREP core faculty eligibility requirements
• Evidence of a clear research focus and an early career record of scholarly activity
• Teaching experience with master's level courses in rehabilitation or mental health counseling
• Experience providing clinical supervision
• Knowledge of CACREP accreditation standards and/or participation in CACREP accreditation processes
• Experience with grant writing
• Scholarly peer-reviewed publications

Criteria for the evaluation of candidates

To ensure the fair and equitable evaluation of all candidates, the following criteria will be used in reviewing the applicants' qualifications. Ranges for rating the criteria are weighted in terms of importance to the position.

Applicants are required to submit the following in support of their application:

1. Cover Letter to include how you identify professionally
2. CV
3. Statement of Teaching Philosophy (1-page limit)
4. Explanation of Research Agenda (2-page limit)
5. 3-5 Professional References (name, affiliation, title)

Position open until filled. Review of applications will begin on September 14, 2026

Contact information: Leah Worthey; lworthey@usf.edu

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.