Creative Writing Instructor (General)

Creative Writing Instructor (General) Apply now to Creative Writing Instructor (General)

Job #JPF08611

• Unex-The Arts / Continuing Education / UCLA

Position overview Position title: Instructor

Salary range: $73 per instructional hour -- Example: 10-week course = 30 instructional hours.

Application Window

Open date: July 5, 2023

Next review date: Sunday, Dec 31, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

UCLA Extension is considered one of the top institutions of its kind, offering to more than 35,000 students per year approximately 4,500 classes and non-degree certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of nontraditional students as well as companies and organizations throughout and beyond the Los Angeles region.

Course / Program Description

Course disciplines in the Writers’ Program span subject areas such as Fiction and Nonfiction Writing, Poetry, Screenwriting (Film and TV), Editing & Publishing, and more. Our courses and certificate programs offer students the opportunity to learn from highly qualified practitioners who are passionate about teaching.

Creative Writing Instructor – General

Applications to teach are accepted throughout the year in order to fill immediate program needs and to increase the depth of the instructor pool, but interviews will only be scheduled with qualified applicants who can fill anticipated openings.

Qualified applicants possessing current knowledge in the following topic area(s) – for adults -- are encouraged to apply:

Creative Writing, miscellaneous forms, genres, styles, and levels

Historically, our greatest needs are in the areas of Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and writing for Young Readers (Picture Book through YA). Our need for Poetry instructors is usually very low.

For a sense of the depth and breadth of our course offerings, visit https://writers.uclaextension.edu/courses/. The number of courses offered in a genre/style is a good indicator of need for additional instructors.

All instructors in this field have documented publications (books, periodicals, and/or literary magazines), and we are especially interested in those with current/recent publications in order to help students understand and navigate the evolving landscape of this field. Prior teaching experience is preferred.

Classes can be online or in person. Classes held in-person meet once a week for 10 weeks, typically evenings from 7-10 pm PT. Online classes are offered in two formats: deadline-driven and asynchronous, or live remote instruction over web conferencing. Many in-person courses also take advantage of the online course format for distributing course materials, syllabi, assignments, and feedback.

Instructor Duties

• Assisting in occasional program activities such as competition/scholarship judging, guest lecturing, community events, script consultations (for additional compensation), etc.
• Develop or update course syllabus to meet campus approval requirements, in consultation with the UCLA Extension Program Director and Program Manager.
• Employ culturally competent teaching methodologies in the classroom inclusive of both domestic and international student populations.
• Utilize Canvas as a course support platform in in-person courses, and as the delivery platform in online and hybrid courses.
• Update materials periodically, and regularly monitor course evaluations in order to make adjustments and improvements to the curriculum.
• Respond to student inquiries about final grades and consult with Program Director as needed.
• Implement inclusive teaching strategies that engage learners from a variety of backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experience levels with the goal to achieve equity in learning outcomes.
• Use subject-matter expertise to impart knowledge to students and leverage additional resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum (i.e. make arrangements for guest speakers, etc.)
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the field of Creative Writing
• Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and to reinforce student learning
• Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner including: completing all new hire paperwork, submitting updated quarterly syllabus, posting bio and photo on the UCLA Extension website, accepting quarterly contract, submitting required textbook orders, and communicating classroom needs to the appropriate people.
• Post final student grades to the transcript system in a timely manner, no later than 2 weeks after course end date.
• Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner.
• Maintain a record of final grades for up to 13 months following the last class session.
• Participate in required orientations and instructor training programs.
• Communicate with Program Director and Program Staff in a timely manner.

Applications Must Include

• Current CV -- including publications, publishing industry experience, and teaching/public speaking/seminar experience
• Cover letter
• Philosophy of teaching statement (250-500 words) articulating your approach to teaching writing to new, adult writers.
• Statement (250-500 words) articulating your readiness to employ inclusive teaching practices for classrooms with gender, age, ethnic, cultural, and sexual identity diversity.

General Employment Information

Employment as a UCLA Extension Instructor is dictated by contract terms and conditions. Please take the time to read the UCLA Extension Instructor Employment Policies (https://instructor.uclaextension.edu/employment-policies/) .

For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits, please visit Pay, Benefits, & Privileges (https://instructor.uclaextension.edu/pay-benefits-and-privileges/) .

Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) is one of UCLA Extension’s guiding principles. We strive to extend access to UCLA, our programs, and services to underrepresented communities and populations, while serving as a model organization for AEDI in the field of continuing higher education. Committed to attracting and retaining diverse staff & instructors, UCLA Extension welcomes your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Please visit our website dedicated to our AEDI efforts as an organization: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion @ UNEX (https://www.uclaextension.edu/about/equity-diversity-inclusion) .

Division: https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism

Instructor Resources: https://instructor.uclaextension.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Current knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in subject area.
• Proficiency in or willingness to learn the use of instructional technology and online teaching tools.
• A single-author book publication credit is preferred. Significant record of publication in periodicals or literary magazines may be considered.
• Experience designing curriculum and measuring student performance. (preferred)
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
• Commitment to the highest level of academic standards and integrity.
• Ability to access, understand, use, and complete tasks and activities through established online portals (Canvas, Zoom, etc.), with and without training.
• College-level and/or continuing education teaching experience. (preferred)
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Cover Letter
• Statement to Employ Inclusive Teaching Practices (250 - 500 words) - In 250 - 500 words, articulate your readiness to employ inclusive teaching practices for classrooms with gender, age, ethnic, cultural, and sexual identity diversity.
• Philosophy of Teaching Statement (250-500 words) - Philosophy of teaching statement (250-500 words) articulating your approach to teaching writing to new, adult writers.
• Curriculum Vitae / Resume - Your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae / Resume. Including publications, publishing industry experience, and teaching/public speaking/seminar experience

Reference requirements

No references will conducted for this recruitment.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08611

Help contact: [email protected]

Campus Information

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA