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.
