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Romance Writing Instructor

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, Jun 30, 2024 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.

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

The Department of the Arts offers a wide variety of certificate programs and courses, including post-baccalaureate credit-bearing (400-level), continuing education (CEU) credit, and non-credit bearing general interest courses. 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.

Job Description

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.

Creative Writing Instructor – Romance Novel Writing

Qualified applicants possessing current knowledge in writing and publishing novels in the romance genre are encouraged to apply.

All instructors in this field have documented book publications, 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 in these areas is preferred.

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

Instructor Duties:

• Develop or update course syllabus to meet campus approval requirements, in consultation with the UCLA Extension Program Director and Program Manager.
• 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.)
• Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and to reinforce student learning
• 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.
• Update materials periodically, and regularly monitor course evaluations in order to make adjustments and improvements to the curriculum.
• Utilize Canvas as a course support platform in in-person courses, and as the delivery platform in online and hybrid courses.
• 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.
• Communicate with Program Director and Program Staff in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Participate in required orientations and instructor training programs.
• Assisting in occasional program activities such as competition/scholarship judging, guest lecturing, community events, script consultations (for additional compensation), etc.
• Employ culturally competent teaching methodologies in the classroom inclusive of both domestic and international student populations.
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the field of Romance Writing
• Respond to student inquiries about final grades and consult with Program Director as needed.
• Maintain a record of final grades for up to 13 months following the last class session.

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
•Cover letter
•Current CV -- including publications, publishing industry experience, and teaching/public speaking/seminar experience
•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.

For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits, please visit Pay, Benefits, & 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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

•A single-author book publication credit within the romance genre is required.
•Must be committed to the highest level of academic standards and integrity.
•Current knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in subject area.
•Highly effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
•Outstanding interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
•Proficiency in or willingness to learn the use of instructional technology and online teaching tools.
•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)
•Experience designing curriculum and measuring student performance. (preferred)

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae / Resume - Your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae / Resume. 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 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.

Reference requirements

No references will conducted for this recruitment.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08613

Help contact: ehr@unex.ucla.edu

About UCLA

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