Educational Development Consultant (Tenure-Track), Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning

Position Description

Educational Development Consultant (Tenure-Track), Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta

The University of Calgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research intensive post-secondary learning institutions, with over 34,000 students in 14 faculties, over 2,300 academic staff, and over 3,300 non-academic staff across five campuses.

Through their Eyes High vision, the University of Calgary has been fundamentally transformed. They have raised their global profile, enhanced the quality of undergraduate and graduate education, promoted innovation and excellence in scholarly activity, and provided significant returns to the community and economy both locally and beyond. The Eyes High 2017-2022 vision was recently updated. Launched in the 50th Anniversary year of the University, it will continue to provide the platform from which the University can leverage its momentum and aspirations. The University continues to serve as a beacon for change, for elevating excellence, and for building a strong community around a shared future vision to be recognized as a top five research university in Canada, with a strong focus on student experience, campus culture and entrepreneurial thinking.

The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is dedicated to strengthening teaching and learning cultures, communities and practices. The Institute supports the teaching development of instructors, promotes high-impact student experiences such as experiential learning, ensures the meaningful integration of learning technologies, and fosters research to better understand and improve student learning.  The Taylor Institute works to facilitate conversations, build communities, link networks, and support a culture of evidence-based teaching and learning across the University. Its mandate embodies the University’s three foundational commitments of sharpening focus on research and scholarship, enriching the quality and breadth of learning, and fully integrating the university with the community.

The University of Calgary, and the Taylor Institute now seeks applications for full-time tenure-track academic appointment as an educational development consultant in the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, with a start date of September 1, 2020 or at a mutually agreeable time.  The starting salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000 per annum and will be negotiated based on the candidate’s skill and experience.

Reporting to the Senior Director of the Taylor Institute (TI), the educational development consultant will:

• Create, lead and evaluate curriculum and educational development programs. This includes leading core TI programs such as the academic, postdoctoral and graduate student certificates in university teaching and learning, and supporting program-level curriculum development and quality assurance processes.
• Administer and provide educational development leadership and expertise for institutional-level programs and initiatives (e.g. University of Calgary Teaching Academy, University of Calgary Teaching Awards, Curriculum review and Quality Assurance Processes, University of Calgary Post-Secondary Conference on Learning and Teaching)
• Develop research-informed resources to support educational development programs and knowledge mobilization
• Consult with individual and small groups of academic staff to strengthen teaching and learning approaches
• Consult with individuals and small groups of academic staff regarding evaluating and providing evidence of teaching expertise (e.g. making sense of student feedback and ratings, developing teaching portfolios/dossiers)
• Collaborate with academic units to advance teaching and learning cultures, communities and practices
• Provide leadership and guidance in the educational development activities of the TI and other academic units
• Provide educational development leadership and expertise on departmental, faculty/school and institution-level teaching and learning committees, action groups, and task forces
• Support a culture of collaboration and respect both within and beyond the TI
• Actively contribute leadership and service to the TI, University and field of educational development (locally, provincially, nationally and/or internationally)
• Support academic colleagues in engaging in the scholarship of teaching and learning
• Engage in scholarship related to educational development and/or teaching and learning in postsecondary education
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required.

The ideal candidate is a growth-oriented educator with the ability to collaborate and build relationships with all levels of the university community. Applicants must have an earned doctorate and a minimum of 3 years of educational development experience in a university context. The incumbent will have a strong record of teaching at the university level. Demonstrated expertise in supporting program-level curriculum review and quality assurance processes, and in leading educational development initiatives related to equity, diversity and inclusion, and in supporting research and scholarship related to teaching and learning in postsecondary education are required.  Educational development experience in advancing teaching and learning approaches in online and blended contexts will be considered an asset. The successful candidate must possess a strong educational development philosophy, and a clear understanding of how to apply this philosophy in practice. Applicants must have knowledge and experience related to helping university educators develop and provide evidence of teaching expertise; the ability to plan, implement and evaluate educational and curriculum development initiatives; and the ability to engage colleagues in meaningful dialogue and decision-making processes about teaching and learning in postsecondary education. Also essential are strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as demonstrated interest and a record of engagement in the scholarship of educational development and/or teaching and learning in post-secondary education.  The incumbent must have a proven track record in building collaborations and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with university administration, academic staff, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff supporting instruction.

The Taylor Institute is committed to supporting the implementation of the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, ii’ taa’ poh’ to’ p and to build relationships with people from Treaty 7 & and Metis Region III. The candidate will be committed to shifting the University and the Taylor Institute culture to increase Indigenous perspective and worldviews in teaching and learning practice. Experience supporting community dialogue and campus engagement, with universities, Indigenous communities and community stakeholders is an asset.

Ranked the most livable city in North America, 3rd most ethnically diverse city in Canada, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to the University of Calgary, world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that support healthy lifestyles. Calgary is a city of leaders—in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. With the highest concentration of entrepreneurs and Canadian head offices in Canada, Calgary ranked 2nd in Canada’s Best Places to do Business. Situated in the sunny foothills of Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with unspoiled, resource-rich natural environment.

The University of Calgary’s comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members through coverage for health, dental, life insurance, income protection for disability, and retirement income planning. To learn about our comprehensive benefits package for this Calgary-based, English speaking position, please visit: www.ucalgary.ca/hr/academic_benefits_pension.

To apply, please submit an application online via the ‘Apply Now’ link. Please include an updated CV, letter of interest, and an abbreviated educational development dossier outlining your educational development philosophy, approaches and evidence of practice (15 pages maximum). Review of applications will begin May 15, 2020.

Questions regarding this opportunity may be addressed Natasha Kenny, Senior Director, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at nakenny@ucalgary.ca

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

Additional Information

To view a listing of all available academic opportunities and to find out more about what the University of Calgary has to offer, please visit our Academic Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.