Job Description

Position overview Position title: Instructor (Non-Senate, Non-Tenure Track)

Salary range: The compensation model varies depending upon the course delivery format. For a synchronous Live Online course, a reasonable estimate for this position is $1,380 - $2,300 total per course. For an asynchronous Fixed Date Online course, this position is paid $115 - $170 per enrolled student and a reasonable estimate ranges from $920 -$3,400 total per course. For an asynchronous Start Anytime Online course, this position is paid $160 - $170 per final student course grade submitted each month; a reasonable estimate ranges from $800 - $5,780 total per course; and monthly payments typically begin within 6 months after the course start date. Instructor compensation is determined by course length, number of units, enrollment, budgetary considerations, and other factors.

Percent time: Part-time by agreement on a course-by-course basis.

Anticipated start: Some appointments may begin as early as the spring semester.

Review timeline: Applicants are considered for positions as needs arise; the existence of this applicant pool does not guarantee that a position is available. The applicant pool will remain in place for 9-12 months; those interested in remaining in the applicant pool beyond the advertised final closing date must reapply.

Position duration: Length of courses differs depending on the subject, level, format/schedule, and credits taught. For the fall, spring, and summer semesters, course length typically ranges from approximately 4 to 12 weeks. For asynchronous online start anytime courses, agreement length typically ranges from 9 to 18 months. Further course agreements may be assigned based upon program needs, meritorious performance, and funding availability.

Application Window

Open date: September 26, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Oct 10, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Friday, Jun 26, 2026 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

UC Berkeley Extension (UNEX), the continuing education branch of the University of California, Berkeley, has been building bridges between UC Berkeley and the public since 1891. UNEX serves the professional and continuing education goals of thousands of people each year and plays an essential part of the University mission to: extend the research and scholarship of UC Berkeley to a global community; increase access to higher education for non-traditional, online, and international students; and improve the workforce. UC Berkeley Extension is a part of the division under the leadership of the Dean of Extended Education that also includes Berkeley Summer Sessions, Berkeley Study Abroad, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

UC Berkeley Extension invites applications for a pool of qualified, dynamic instructors with a commitment to undergraduate, professional, and continuing education in Writing and Literature to teach one or more online courses each year for our Arts and Humanities department.

Courses are offered online:

• Online instruction is delivered asynchronously through our learning management system (Canvas) or through synchronous live lectures (Zoom).
• Most synchronous live online lecture courses are offered in the evening and on the weekend (U.S.A. Pacific Time).

Course Subjects

We are seeking qualified applicants who possess current subject matter expertise and/or teaching knowledge in (but not limited to) the following course subjects. For program and course descriptions, please refer to the departmental link below.

Writing

• Academic Writing
• Business Communications
• English Composition
• Genre Fiction Writing
• Journalism
• Literary Fiction Writing
• Memoir
• Nonfiction Writing
• Poetry
• Public Relations Writing
• Science Writing
• Screenwriting
• Social Media Writing

Literature

• American Fiction
• British Literature
• Contemporary Literature
• World Literature

Other Writing and Literature Course Subjects
(please specify in your cover letter)

Teaching Experience

• Classroom Teaching Experience
• Synchronous Online Teaching Experience (online lectures via Zoom)
• Asynchronous Online Teaching Experience (via learning management system)

General Duties

The department seeks candidates who can support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. Specific duties and expectations will vary depending on the method of instruction including: Synchronous Live Online (Zoom) or Asynchronous Online (Fixed Date or Start Anytime).

• For synchronous instruction (live online courses), duties include but are not limited to: syllabus development; assignment development; lesson planning for class meetings; preparing and submitting required texts and course materials; reviewing and updating Canvas course site; and delivering lectures, presentations, and learning activities for all required hours of instruction.
• For asynchronous instruction (fixed date or start anytime online courses), duties include but are not limited to: reviewing the syllabus and pre-populated online course content; learning and utilizing Canvas classroom management tools; and requesting any training needs from the Program Director or Department Director.
• For all instruction (regardless of course format) duties include but are not limited to: completing required trainings as mandated by the UC Presidential policies; responding to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner; grading student assignments and posting final student grades to the instructor portal in a timely manner; utilizing University-approved course support platforms including the Canvas Learning Management System, Zoom, Instructor Portal, Google Workspace, etc.; reviewing and following University and departmental policies, logistics, and other guidelines as published on the departmental Instructional Resource Site; and responding to other requests from the Program Director or Department Director in a timely manner.

Creative Writing Program : public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=17208&selectedProgramAreaId=15550&selectedProgramStreamId=15616

Creative Writing Courses : academic-areas/writing-editing-and-technical-communication/#!?tab=courses&programStream=Creative%20Writing

Nonfiction Writing Courses : academic-areas/writing-editing-and-technical-communication/#!?tab=courses&programStream=Nonfiction%20Writing

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Advanced Degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• U.S.A. Residency and U.S.A. Work Authorization: All work must be performed in the United States, whether in person or online. For applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents, a valid US work authorization is required for the duration of employment. Applicants should not expect the department to sponsor a work visa on their behalf.

Preferred qualifications

• Terminal/doctorate degree or equivalent international degree in course subject preferred.
• 3 or more years of professional industry and/or academic experience in the course subject.
• 3 or more years of undergraduate-level teaching experience (as the primary instructor) in the course subject.
• Experience teaching at a U.S. college/university institution.
• Experience in creating syllabi, learning objectives, lectures/presentations, learning activities, assignments, assessments, exams, and quizzes.
• Experience teaching online and/or developing academic content for online courses.
• Ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
• Ability to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.
• Effective verbal/written communication and presentation skills (English).
• Effective organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and work within a team environment.
• Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) instructional and other technology, such as: Learning Management Systems (Canvas); lecture/presentation capture applications (Panopto); online video conferencing (Zoom); Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint); file sharing (Google drive or Dropbox); and Google Workspace tools (email, calendar, docs, sheets, slides, etc).

Application Requirements

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