2026-27 Lecturer Pool Department of Journalism and Public Relations

Job Description

California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 22-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 14,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.

Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment.

Position Title: Academic Year Lecturer

College: Communication and Education

Department/School: Journalism & Public Relations

Salary:

Lecturer A/2 Full-Time Equivalent Salary Range: $5,507 - $6,677 per month

Lecturer B/3 Full-Time Equivalent Salary Range: $6,221 - $13,224 per month

Lecturer C/4 Full-Time Equivalent Salary Range: $6,825 - $14,523 per month

Lecturer D/5 Full-Time Equivalent Salary Range: $8,593 - $15,211 per month

Anticipated hiring range is generally at or near the minimum of the appropriate range, commensurate with education and experience. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. See the Faculty Salaries At-a-Glance guide for more information.

Priority Review Date: 04/27/26; complete applications received after that date may be considered as needs arise.

Position Summary:

The Journalism and Public Relations Department in the College of CME is collecting application materials for a pool of lecturers with positions available as determined by need during the 2026-27 academic year. Appointments from the lecturer pool are temporary and often made just prior to the start of the academic term.

Minimum Qualifications:

The minimum qualifications for a lecturer appointment are a bachelor’s degree and contemporary media or public relations experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Other preferred qualifications may be used to distinguish between candidates, specifically:

• At least three years of college-level teaching experience.
• For applied skills and theory classes, three years of professional journalism/media/PR experience within the past five years, and/or demonstrated currency in the field.
• For writing-intensive courses, recent professional or teaching experience that emphasizes coaching writers.
• Professional activity to demonstrate professional currency. This may include writing, editing, communication consulting or research.
• Alumni engagement / outreach.
• Expertise in and ability to teach social media and multi-platform media skills.
• Commitment to continued currency in journalism or public relations.
• Experience working with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities:

Lecturer positions in the department carry teaching responsibilities. Teaching assignments are based upon qualifications of the individual and the needs of the department. They vary from year to year. Responsibilities include in-person or online teaching, prompt student feedback and grade submission, as well as one to four student office hours per week, depending on assignment.

How to Apply:

Applicants must provide a current cover letter (including how you have addressed, or plan to address teaching to diverse student groups), a CV, a list of courses you believe you are qualified to teach and for which you wish to be considered, a copy of unofficial transcripts for your highest earned degree, and contact information of three professional references. Additional information may be requested at a later time. All applicants must apply online, applications submitted via email or in-person to the department will not be considered. For information about specific courses offered, please refer to the University Catalog .

The Department:

The Department of Journalism & Public Relations has been reviewed and accredited by ACEJMC since 1996. The program, which highly values student-centered teaching, offers the B.A. in journalism with options in news and public relations. Journalism students produce the campus newspaper, The Orion , a nationally recognized award winner. Public Relations students work in Tehama Group Communications , a student-managed PR agency. For more information about the department, visit our website . Find J&PR on social media, including Instagram , with the handle @ChicoJourPR.

Job-related questions should be directed to:

Janell C. Bauer, Search Committee Chair

Department of Journalism and Public Relations, Chair

California State University, Chico, CA 95929-600

[email protected] , 530-898-4770

Benefits Information:

This position may qualify for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible). California State University, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance). For more information and eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.csuchico.edu/hr/benefits/index.shtml .

Additional Information:

Out of State Employment: All work must be performed within the State of California.

Background Check and Disclosures: A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for 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 7 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 also 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.

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 (revised July 21, 2017) as a condition of employment. The person also will have a duty to report to the campus Title IX coordinator information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or exploitation, dating or domestic violence, stalking, and/or retaliation under CSU policy.

Retired Annuitants: Retired annuitants may accept work if the appointment meets CalPERS eligibility criteria to avoid reinstatement from retirement or interruption of benefits. Per Government Code 7522.56(c), the appointment must either address an emergency to prevent the stoppage of public business or require specialized skills for work of limited duration. If you are a CalPERS retiree and have any questions regarding your work eligibility, reach out to Faculty Affairs via email ( [email protected] ) or phone (530-898-5029).

Clery Act: Chico State's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A copy of the report may be requested in person at the Chico State Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555 . It is also available online at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report .

EEO Statement: Chico State is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status and only employ individuals authorized to work in the U.S.

For disability-related accommodations, please call the ADA Coordinator at (530) 898-5959.

All positions are contingent on funding.

About Chico State:

Graduate and undergraduate programs boast high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities. The campus motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” is brought to life by inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming. The Chico Experience prepares students to be critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources. Together, they will become leaders solving the challenges of the 21st century.

The campus is located in Northern California, 90 minutes from the state capital, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico offers year-round natural beauty, outdoor leisure activities, and a thriving arts, music, and events scene. We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.

Advertised: Mar 12 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: