Assistant or Associate Professor of Education, General Faculty (Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, OT)

The University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development seeks a faculty member to be the academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC) for its developing Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, housed within the Department of Kinesiology. The AFWC will collaborate with the OT Program Director to develop the fieldwork education component as an integral aspect of the program. The AFWC will also shape other aspects of a new academic program at a premier public university. This is a tenure-ineligible position with the successful candidate to be appointed to the Academic General Faculty-Teaching track at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The inaugural AFWC will be responsible for developing and growing the fieldwork education component of the curriculum and ensuring high-quality student-centered learning experiences during fieldwork.

The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in occupational therapy practice and fieldwork education. The AFWC will partner with fieldwork sites, serve as a liaison between the program and the fieldwork sites, and coordinate with occupational therapy program faculty to prepare and support students along the fieldwork journey. The successful candidate should have exceptional interpersonal communication, organizational, and time management skills to develop and lead the fieldwork component of the occupational therapy program in accordance with all Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) requirements. The AFWC faculty position includes administrative, teaching, scholarly, and service responsibilities that support the scholarship agenda and strategic plan of the occupational therapy program.  Load is set annually consistent with the School’s load planning policy. 

The AFWC will join a rich interprofessional community within the School of Education and Human Development, which currently houses accredited health sciences programs in Athletic Training, Communication Sciences & Disorders, School & Clinical Psychology, and Counselor Education and is committed to establishing new professional doctoral programs in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Charlottesville is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is consistently listed among the top cities in the country in national rankings of the most desirable places to live. It brings together the best of many worlds, offering the livability and community of a small city with the amenities and cultural attractions (e.g., regular literary, film, musical, and theatrical festivals) of a metropolis. UVA assists faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area. To learn more please visit https://dualcareer.virginia.edu/. For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

Required Qualifications:

• Occupational therapist, licensed or eligible to be licensed, in the state of Virginia
• Hold a doctoral degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency.
• Have 2 years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy which must include:
  • Clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist
  • Professional experience as a fieldwork educator or documentation of training in the role and responsibilities of a fieldwork educator.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-professional doctorate in Occupational Therapy or academic doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or equivalent) in Rehabilitation Sciences or related field. (Doctoral degree required)
• Prior academic teaching experience, including prior experience as an AFWC
• Leadership of fieldwork programming for a clinical site (e.g. site clinical coordinator)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated administration and leadership skills
• Proven record of collaboration with groups of students or colleagues
• Evidence of professional service in Occupational Therapy at local, regional, or national levels

 The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment.

Complete application online (https://apply.interfolio.com/190660) and upload the following required documents

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Vision statement about the importance and impact of fieldwork education to entry-level occupational therapy preparation
• Contact information for three professional references (References will not be contacted until after in-person interviews are conducted.)

The University of Virginia’s Mission Statement affirms its enduring commitment to a vibrant and unique residential learning environment marked by the free and collegial exchange of ideas; unwavering support of a collaborative, diverse community bound together by distinctive foundational values of honor, integrity, trust, and respect; and universal dedication to excellence and affordable access.

As part of your application, please describe your potential contributions to any aspect of this mission. Please focus upon your work skills and experience. In doing so, you may choose to refer to your personal perspective, but the focus of our consideration is on your potential contributions through skills and experience, rather than personal opinions or beliefs.

Review of applications will begin in early October, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment.

For questions about the position please contact the search committee chairperson, Allison Ellington, Professor of Education, General Faculty and Director, Occupation Therapy Doctorate Program at ae2pv@virginia.edu. For questions about the application process please contact Raj Seneviratne, Director of Faculty Affairs, at rs9c@virginia.edu.