Romance Writing Instructor

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.

Overview

UCLA Extension is the open-access, self-supporting continuing education division of UCLA. 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.

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 Screenwriting.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Special Conditions of Employment

Instructors are hired on a quarterly contract basis.

Compensation starts at $ $66.00 per instructional hour. Example: 10-week course = 30 instructional hours. Compensation varies with 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.” 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 canceled 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.

How to Apply

• Completed application form using link below
• Cover letter
• In one document, provide the following:
  • Current CV/resume -- 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.

  UCLA Extension - Apply Here: https://unexit.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a2k9db2h52e7?preview=1

For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits and privileges, please visit https://instructor.uclaextension.edu/pay-benefits-and-privileges/

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.