Instructor Jobs at San Diego State University with Visa Sponsorship
Instructor jobs at San Diego State University span a wide range of disciplines, from undergraduate teaching to specialized graduate instruction. SDSU has an established track record of sponsoring international faculty, making it a practical target for academics who need employer-backed visa support to build a U.S. teaching career.
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Overview:
- This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after October 14, 2026.
- The salary for this position is $125.00 per hour, 6 hours per week.
SDSU Global Campus seeks highly engaged and qualified prospective faculty members to teach in its online Professional Certificate in Brownfield Reuse and Environmental Site Service program. Under the direction of Drs. Jessica Barlow, Rebecca Lewison, and Madison Swayne, this program seeks to prepare students to work in environmental clean-up, remediation, construction, restoration, waste and water management, and related careers. Students in this program will:
- Comprehend environmental site assessment and remediation processes, from identification through monitoring
- Conduct environmental sampling and field investigations using appropriate methods, instrumentation, and documentation practices
- Collect, interpret, and visualize environmental data using common tools and databases
- Identify and apply relevant environmental regulations and due diligence practices
- Recognize and manage hazardous materials and site safety considerations
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with project teams and communities on environmental projects
- Translate technical and regulatory knowledge into applied environmental contexts
SDSU Global Campus maintains an open “pool” of applications to be reviewed on an as-needed basis for candidates whose qualifications closely meet program needs and hiring criteria. We seek faculty qualified to teach one or more of the following 8-hour courses on a course-by-course contract basis:
- Pollution to Possibility: Communities in Transition: Introduction to brownfield identification, assessment, remediation, and monitoring — with emphasis on environmental health, pollution burdens, community risk, equitable development, and career pathways in land reuse.
- Environmental Sampling & Monitoring: Fundamentals of environmental sampling — including soil, water, and air collection methods, field instrumentation, EPA/ASTM standards, chain of custody, health and safety plans, and QAPPs.
- Brownfield Data Collection & Analysis: Environmental data interpretation, mapping, and visualization — covering descriptive data analysis, common databases (EnviroStor, GeoTracker, CalEnviroScreen), Excel, AI tools, and basic GIS mapping.
- Community Engagement & Project Coordination: Community engagement strategies and brownfield project coordination — including stakeholder communication, contractor and regulatory relationships, site logistics, adaptive fieldwork, and equitable outreach best practices.
- Brownfield Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Standards: Overview of federal and state environmental law — including CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water/Air Acts, CEQA, and NEPA — with focus on liability, state cleanup programs, and local permitting for brownfield redevelopment.
- Brownfields, Contaminants, Hazardous Materials Handling: Brownfield contaminants, hazardous materials, and worker safety — covering exposure pathways, asbestos and lead handling, HAZWOPER, PPE, and IDW disposal. These online courses will be primarily online and asynchronous in nature; however, the Environmental Sampling & Monitoring course will require some in-person activities.
Responsibilities:
- Regularly update course content to stay aligned with advancements in respective field.
- Design, organize, and deliver lessons that maximize student learning, integrating core competencies and effective teaching strategies.
- Create and select instructional materials that align with course objectives and program goals.
- Prepare and distribute course syllabi and outlines, ensuring compliance with program policies.
- Tailor teaching methods to address the diverse needs of students, promoting an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
- Evaluate student progress through fair and consistent methods, keeping accurate records and submitting grades on time.
- Integrate technology and learning platforms (e.g., Canvas) to enrich the educational experience.
- Contribute to the creation and selection of instructional materials that align with course objectives.
- Incorporate key competencies into the curriculum.
- Develop, update, and distribute course syllabi promptly.
- Use the Canvas platform for posting course readings, grades, assignments, etc.
- Establish clear and meaningful learning outcomes for courses and programs.
- Design and communicate assessment methods that fairly measure student progress toward learning outcomes.
- Assess student performance consistently and return work promptly to support optimal learning.
- Maintain accurate records of student progress and ensure timely submission of final grades.
- Ensure that syllabi and approved course outlines for all assigned sections are prepared and distributed in line with program and divisional policies.
- Maintain confidentiality of student information.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups.
Education and Experience
- Bachelors or Masters in environmental science, environmental engineering, geology, geography, city planning, or related field.
- Experience working in the brownfields or related industries.
- Teaching or mentoring experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in online / web-based teaching.
- Demonstrated experience teaching students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English a plus.
ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION
- Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
- Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII 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), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Instructor Jobs at San Diego State University
Align your credentials with U.S. equivalency standards
SDSU hiring committees evaluate foreign degrees against U.S. equivalents. A three-year bachelor's from India or Australia may need a credential evaluation from NACES-member agencies before your application reads as competitive for Instructor-level roles.
Target departments with recurring Instructor openings
Some SDSU departments post Instructor positions seasonally, especially in high-enrollment fields like business, engineering, and the sciences. Watching specific department pages directly gives you earlier visibility than aggregated job boards.
Understand how TN status applies to Instructor roles
Canadian and Mexican nationals with qualifying academic credentials can enter the U.S. under TN status for teaching positions. Confirm that your specific Instructor title and field appear on the approved USMCA occupation list before framing your application around TN.
Find SDSU Instructor openings through Migrate Mate
Browse current Instructor listings at SDSU filtered by visa sponsorship type on Migrate Mate. This saves you from manually screening postings that don't support your specific immigration status before investing time in a full application.
Clarify sponsorship scope before accepting an offer
SDSU sponsors both temporary work visas and permanent residence pathways, but coverage varies by role type and funding source. Ask HR directly whether your Instructor position qualifies for PERM-based Green Card sponsorship or only H-1B, before you sign.
Build in time for USCIS cap and processing timelines
H-1B petitions are subject to the annual cap with an April 1 filing window and an October 1 start date. If SDSU extends you an offer in spring or summer, your earliest possible H-1B start would be the following October 1, so plan your transition accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Diego State University sponsor H-1B visas for Instructors?
Yes, SDSU sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying Instructor positions. The role must meet USCIS specialty occupation standards, which generally requires a directly related bachelor's degree or higher as a minimum requirement for the job. SDSU's international faculty support office manages the petition process, but the timeline is tied to the H-1B cap and October 1 start date, so offers made mid-year often carry a delayed start.
How do I apply for Instructor jobs at San Diego State University?
Applications are submitted through SDSU's official HR portal, where each Instructor posting lists required materials, typically a CV, cover letter, teaching statement, and references. You can also browse SDSU Instructor roles filtered by visa sponsorship eligibility on Migrate Mate, which helps you identify open positions aligned with your immigration status before applying directly through the university.
Which visa types does SDSU commonly use for Instructor roles?
SDSU sponsors Instructor positions under H-1B, TN visa, and Green Card pathways including EB-2 and EB-3. F-1 students with OPT or CPT authorization can also work in Instructor roles within their work authorization period. The most common pathway for full-time, ongoing Instructor positions is H-1B, with PERM-based Green Card sponsorship available for select roles depending on department funding and position permanence.
What qualifications does SDSU expect for Instructor positions?
Most Instructor roles at SDSU require at minimum a master's degree in the relevant discipline, with doctoral candidates or Ph.D. holders preferred for upper-division or graduate-level courses. Teaching experience at the post-secondary level strengthens your application significantly. For specialty fields like engineering or business, professional certifications or industry experience may also factor into hiring decisions alongside academic credentials.
How do I navigate the timeline between an SDSU offer and a visa start date?
If you're on F-1 OPT, confirm your authorized employment end date against the expected teaching start date before accepting. For H-1B, SDSU must file by April 1 for an October 1 start, so offers extended after that window push your start date by a full year. TN status for Canadian nationals can be obtained at the border with the offer letter, making it a faster option where the occupation qualifies.