Teaching Specialist/Lecturer - Minneapolis, United States - University of Minnesota

Description

About the Job

The University of Minnesota-Department of Writing Studies invites applications for a Teaching Specialist or Lecturer position for their Technical Writing and Communications (TWC) Program. This position has an anticipated start date of fall semester /26/2024). This is a full-time, nine-month, annually renewable academic appointment with a 3/3 teaching load and professional development/engagement. TWC is a dynamic advanced writing program serving students in the major along with students enrolled in majors from across the University. Courses assigned could include Technical and Professional Communication, Business and Professional Writing, and other advanced writing courses, in blended or asynchronous, fully online, and in person modalities. Work expectations include in-person, onsite teaching and additional responsibilities (e.g., professional development, meetings, and office hours). All courses serve linguistically diverse populations.

In our TWC major we actively and intentionally support inclusive learning and workplace environments as well as the well-being of our faculty and students. Our teaching approach positions technical communication as rhetorical and engaged with social justice. Our technical writing courses focus on audience, revision, collaboration, peer review, multimodal composing, and common TWC genres. We are actively committed to developing equity-centered practices in our classrooms and programs. The University of Minnesota offers professional development and advancement to all teaching specialists and lecturers.

Qualifications

The successful candidate has a demonstrated commitment to technical and professional communication pedagogy, assessment, and course design that promotes accessibility and equity. The successful candidate has demonstrated evidence of ongoing professional development and values participating in and contributing to an active community of reflective practitioners.

Required qualifications include:

• An MA or terminal degree in Technical Communication, Rhetoric, Writing Studies or a related field.
• At least two semesters of teaching college-level technical and/or professional writing.
• Demonstrated commitment to instruction that supports diverse learners and builds inclusive classroom environments.
• Experience teaching blended and/or online college-level technical writing courses
• Demonstrated interest in technical and professional communication as evidenced by at least one of the following:
  • graduate coursework in technical and professional writing
  • relevant industry experience related to technical communication

Preferred qualifications include:

• PhD in Rhetoric, Technical Communication, or Writing Studies with an emphasis on technical and professional communication
• Two years or more of successful college teaching experience
• Industry experience in technical or professional communication
• Experience with online/digital/visual writing technologies

Candidates with an MA will be hired as Teaching Specialists; candidates with a terminal degree (e.g., PhD) will be hired as Lecturers.

About the Department

The Department of Writing Studies provides First-Year Writing courses required for all University students, a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical and Written Communication, an undergraduate certificate in Technical Communication, an MA degree and a doctorate degree in Rhetoric and Scientific & Technical Communication, and an MS degree in Scientific and Technical Communication. The Center for Writing provides in person and online writing consultations for University students.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application and to attach a cover letter and resume. Priority will be given to completed applications received by March 22, 2024, but applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. You may attach the additional required documents next by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To be considered for this position, you must submit all required components listed below:

1. Cover letter outlining qualifications including the following:
   1. Demonstrated experience with technical and professional communication
   2. Demonstrated experience teaching in online environments
   3. Demonstrated familiarity with technical communication pedagogy, including facilitating collaboration and revision
   4. Demonstrated teaching approach that positions technical communication as rhetorical and engaged with social justice
2. A teaching portfolio consisting of the following items:
   1. Two short teaching artifacts (e.g., syllabus, assignment description) that reflect your approach to teaching technical communication
   2. A description of the significance of these two artifacts not to exceed words
3. Transcript(s) of graduate level coursework.
4. Contact information for three (3) professional references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers) who can attest to the quality of your teaching in the areas of technical and professional communication, and including at least two (2) who have observed or evaluated your teaching. We will contact references at the point of selecting candidates to interview.

NOTE: All documents should be uploaded at time of application. Only complete applications will be reviewed. This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call UOHR

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).