Writers' Program Instructor - UCLA Extension - UCLA Extension

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Position overview

Application Window

Open date: August 29, 2024

Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 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 programs 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

Creative Writing
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.
• Fiction (novels, short stories)
• Nonfiction (creative nonfiction, memoir, personal essay)
• Poetry
• Writing for Young Readers (picture books, middle grade, young adult)

Screenwriting
All instructors in this field have documented produced scripts (features, teleplays, etc), and we are especially interested in those with current/recent productions in order to help students understand and navigate the evolving landscape of this field. Prior teaching experience is preferred.
• Features
• Television (half hour, one hour)
• Graphic novels (and comics)
• Podcasting

Editing & Publishing
All instructors in this field have documented professional experience as a professional staff member of a publisher or press, not including self-publishing and vanity presses, and we are especially interested in those with current/recent experience in order to help students understand and navigate the evolving landscape of this field. Prior teaching experience is preferred.
• Copyediting
• Developmental editing
• Editorial management

Written Communication
All instructors in this field have prior teaching experience in English composition at the college level and an advanced degree (Master’s or higher).
• Expository Writing
• Persuasive Writing

Classes can be online (live or asynchronous formats) or in person in Westwood or Downtown Los Angeles. Classes held with live instruction meet once a week for 10 weeks, typically in evenings and on weekends. Asynchronous online classes are deadline-driven and have no class meetings. Many in person courses also take advantage of the online course format for distributing course materials, syllabi, assignments, and feedback.

Job Description

UCLA Extension is the open-access, self-supporting continuing education division of UCLA. The Writers' Program 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.

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.

Writers’ Program Instructor
Qualified applicants possessing current knowledge in the following topic area(s) – for adults -- are encouraged to apply. For a sense of the depth and breadth of our course offerings, visit https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing.

Instructor Duties:

• Complete annual and biannual University compliance trainings by the deadlines set by Human Resources.
• 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
• 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 within 24 hours.
• 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 and inclusive teaching strategies in the classroom inclusive of both domestic and international student populations.
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the field of instruction.
• 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.

Special Conditions of Employment
Instructors are hired on a quarterly contract basis.
Compensation starts at $2,206 per 10-week course, paid monthly on the first day of the month. Compensation rates vary based on unit valuation and instructional hours of courses.

Because Extension is a division of UCLA, all Extension degree-credit instructors and courses must be formally approved according to the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California. Eligibility to teach a course is contingent upon this formal academic approval. Once approved, teaching assignments are “by agreement” on a quarter-by-quarter basis. The Instructor’s Contract outlines the deliverables for the course, the course schedule, and the compensation terms, subject to Extension policies and procedures. UCLA Extension makes no commitment to hire an instructor until it has sent and received a signed Instructor Contract. Should the course section an instructor plans to teach be cancelled for any reason, the Instructor Contract, including rights to compensation for future section meetings, is voided.

In an effort to promote and maintain a healthy environment for our students, visitors and employees, UCLA is a smoke-free site. Smoking is prohibited within the boundaries of all UCLA owned, occupied, leased, and associated building and facilities.

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.

Division: https://www.uclaextension.edu/design-arts

Program: https://www.uclaextension.edu/teaching-at-ucla-extension

Qualifications

All positions
• Commitment 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.
• College-level and/or continuing education teaching experience preferred.
• Experience designing curriculum and measuring student performance preferred.

Creative Writing-specific qualifications
• A single-author book publication credit is preferred. Significant record of publication in periodicals or literary magazines may be considered.

Screenwriting-specific qualifications
• At least one produced script (feature film or teleplay) in which the applicant is credited as a writer or co-writer, documented on IMDb.

Editing & Publishing-specific qualifications
• At least three years of experience as a professional staff member at a multi-author publisher or press, or at least three years of experience as an assistant literary agent or full literary agent.

Written Communication-specific guidelines
• At least two years of experience teaching English composition at the college level
• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a related field.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae/Resume - Your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae/Resume including publications/productions, professional experience, and teaching/public speaking/seminar experience.

• Cover Letter - Cover letter identifying the area of writing applied for and discussing the your interest in teaching for UCLA Extension.

• Philosophy of Teaching - Philosophy of teaching statement (250-500 words) articulating your approach to teaching writing to new, adult writers/editing & publishing professionals (as relevant to candidate’s desired course assignments).

• Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Statement (250-500 words) articulating your readiness to employ inclusive teaching practices for classrooms with gender, age, ethnic, cultural, and sexual identity diversity.

References are requested from candidates after the interviewing stage, and references are only contacted for finalists via SkillSurvey system.

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 University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy, please visit https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

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