Lecturer or Teaching Specialist

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities First-Year Writing Program invites applications for a teaching specialist or lecturer position. This position has an anticipated start date of fall semester 2025 (8/25/2025). This is a full-time, nine-month, annually renewable academic appointment with a 3/3 teaching load and professional development/engagement within an expanding, dynamic first-year writing program with over 35 full-time faculty. Courses taught could include University Writing in blended or asynchronous modalities or Community Engaged University Writing. All courses serve linguistically diverse populations. Course enrollments cap at 20 students. Work arrangements include in-person, onsite responsibilities, with some hybrid flexibility.

Our First-Year Writing program is in the Department of Writing Studies. We actively and intentionally support inclusive learning and workplace environments, and the well-being of our faculty and students. We are actively committed to developing equity-centered practices in our program and classrooms. Our 8 Guiding Frameworks center a process approach to writing, equity- and access-centered anti-racist pedagogy, multimodal composition, rhetorical awareness, information literacy, and a generative community of feedback and reflective practice. The University of Minnesota offers professional development and advancement to all teaching specialists and lecturers.

Job Duties:

• Teaching (90% of appointment): Teach 6 sections of First-Year Writing courses each academic year.
• Adhere to the essential program and course components of First-Year Writing as outlined in the FYW Handbook.
• Be available and participate in all required workshops and professional development sessions during the appointment dates of the annual contract.
• Comply with University policies and departmental guidelines as outlined in the FYW Instructor Handbook.
• Meet the specific University and program teaching requirements
• Professional development, engagement activities, and service (10% of appointment). Includes required activities such as FYW Professional Development workshops and monthly
• Reflective Practice Groups. It also includes other opportunities for professional development and engagement that support goals that align with FYW 8 Guiding Frameworks priorities.
• Annual peer teaching observations (be observed by a peer + observe a peer)
• Participate in an Annual Review process that includes documenting your teaching and professional development, reflecting on your growth and goals, and meeting with the Director and/or Associate Director(s).

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

The successful candidate has a demonstrated commitment to pedagogy, assessment, and course design that promotes accessibility and equity. The successful candidate has demonstrated interest and experience in teaching first-year students and composition/rhetoric; shows evidence of ongoing professional development and engagement; and values participating in and contributing to an active community of reflective practitioners.

Minimum required qualifications include:

• An M.A. or terminal degree in Composition and Rhetoric, Writing or a related field.
• At least two semesters of teaching college level first-year writing, first year seminars and/or writing intensive courses.
• Demonstrated commitment to instruction that supports diverse learners and builds inclusive classroom environments.
• Demonstrated interest in teaching as evidenced by at least one of the following: graduate coursework in composition, pedagogy, or related field; or participation in professional development related to teaching.

Preferred qualifications include:

• PhD; TOEFL, ESL certification or other professional development experience in working with multilingual and other linguistically diverse writers (experience can include classroom, writing center, and/or community literacy work).
• Two years or more of successful college teaching experience; experience teaching blended or online college composition courses and community-engaged learning courses
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with a range of multilingual collective access, equity, and rhetoric/composition.
• A record of ongoing professional development related to writing instruction or experience taking on new challenges related to undergraduate writing instruction.
• Interest in or experience teaching with a writing-about-writing pedagogy.

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.

Pay Range: $52,000 - $68,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

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

The University 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 Tuition Benefit Program
• 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
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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 attach a cover letter and resume. Priority will be given to completed applications received by April 1, 2025, 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 experience with rhetoric and composition; first year students and diverse and multilingual writers; familiarity with composition pedagogy and applicant's approach to teaching writing;
2. A teaching portfolio consisting of:

• a. Two teaching artifacts that demonstrate alignment with this position description and our program's guiding frameworks.
• b. A description of the significance of these two artifacts not to exceed 200 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 specified as core to our program, 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 employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624- UOHR (8647).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 for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

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: http://diversity.umn.edu

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.

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).