Job: Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Black Technical Communication at Santa Clara University

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to remind you the English Department at Santa Clara University is currently hiring for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Black Technical Communication. The full job ad follows this message. We hope you might consider applying, and share our ad with any of your professional network, caucuses, or anyone who might be interested. Applications must be received by October 1, 2023, and inquiries may be sent by email to English Department Manager Jessica Gopp (jgopp@scu.edu), Attention Black Technical Communication Search Committee.

Thank you!

Job Ad (see also link to job ad/application portal: https://tinyurl.com/scu-BlackTPC:

PURPOSE:

The Department of English at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, invites applications for a tenure-track position in Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) with primary expertise in Black TPC and additional expertise in one or more of the areas: user experience design, health communication, activism, community rhetorics, digital rhetorics, cultural rhetorics, and/or digital methods and methodologies. Successful candidates must have a strong record of teaching and a strong scholarly trajectory in Black TPC.

Salary Range:

The salary range is $80,549 – $89,526 and offers within that range will be based on years of university teaching experience. The position provides generous benefits (see https://www.scu.edu/hr/benefits). Recognizing the high cost of housing in the local area, the University has established two housing assistance programs for qualified faculty: [1] a rental assistance program and [2] a purchase assistance program. For details, please refer to: https://www.scu.edu/provost/policies-and-procedures/support-for-faculty/housing-assistance/

2023-24 cluster hire information:

This position is slated for inclusion in an SCU College of Arts & Sciences cluster hire in the area of Inequality & Social Justice that also includes the Departments of Art & Art History, Philosophy, Environmental Studies & Sciences, Biology, Religious Studies, History, and Theater & Dance. Cluster hire participants will receive mentorship and will meet regularly for peer support and interdisciplinary intellectual community to support their scholarly and creative work. This is the College of Arts & Sciences’ third cluster hire, following two very successful cluster hire processes in 2021-22 and 2022-23, through which the College of Arts & Sciences has welcomed new faculty members whose work engages with Inequality & Social Justice across a range of disciplines including Anthropology, Biology, Child Studies, Classics, Communication, English, History, Political Sciences, Psychology, Public Health, Religious Studies, and Women’s & Gender Studies.

The Santa Clara University English Department supports work in critical race and ethnic studies, digital media, and digital humanities, and contributes to interdisciplinary programs in these fields. Teaching will include lower-division and upper-division courses in the candidate’s areas of specialization, foundation courses for the major, and first-year critical thinking and writing courses. We anticipate an average of of the annual teaching assignments will be first-year writing courses. SCU is on the quarter system and tenure-track faculty are expected to teach 6 courses per year (2 each quarter), assuming they are engaged in an active scholarship program. New tenure-track faculty have a reduced teaching load of 5 courses in the first year.

Located in the heart of northern California’s Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University is a Jesuit, Catholic university. The SCU College of Arts and Sciences offers an education in the liberal arts and sciences. Santa Clara University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity; we particularly welcome applications from women, non-binary and trans persons, persons of color, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a disability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

PhD in Technical Communication, Rhetoric, Writing Studies, Composition, English or related field completed by September 1, 2024; potential for excellence in teaching undergraduate technical communication courses; scholarship in TPC and a clear research trajectory in Black TPC.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that advance SCU goals of diversity and equity and experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduates.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tenure track faculty at SCU are teaching scholars who are expected to balance teaching, research and service. This is an in-person position. More specifically, duties include but are not limited to:

1. TEACHING:

  • Typically teach 6 courses per year, usually a combination of upper- and lower-division courses in the English major and the area of specialization as well as Critical Thinking & Writing first year writing sequences.
  • Conduct and appear at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively.
  • Use appropriate measures of student performance, providing timely feedback to students.
  • Assign grades and offer substantive feedback, providing an accurate and fair assessment of student work.
  • Administer numerical and narrative evaluations in each section for all courses.
  • Post and maintain regular office hours.
  • Serve as an academic advisor to assigned students, beginning the second year.
  • Develop and teach courses that contribute to curriculum development in the English Department and/or the University Core Curriculum. Faculty teaching University Core courses should follow an approved syllabus or work with the chair to design an appropriate syllabus to submit for approval by the relevant Faculty Core Committee.
  • Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as may be assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or by the Chair of the English Department

SCHOLARSHIP:

  • Develop a research program at SCU that will result in the publication of peer-reviewed publications, monographs, and/or creative work per the Department scholarship standards.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with a research program that can accommodate participation of undergraduates.

SERVICE:

  • Provide effective service to the Department of English, the College, the University, and profession through contributions other than teaching and scholarship such as service on committees, participation in professional organizations and activities, leadership, and community service performed by virtue of professional expertise or association with the university as appropriate to rank and experience.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:

Applicants are expected to submit all the following documentation noted below. Applications received by October 1, 2023 will receive full consideration.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:

1) letter of application describing teaching philosophy, research plan appropriate for department serving undergraduates, experience working w/people of diverse cultures and identities, and reasons for interest in a position at Santa Clara University

2) curriculum vitae

3) sample syllabi for first-year writing and lower-/upper-division technical communication courses

4) recent teaching evaluations for 2-3 courses

5) an example of scholarship: for example, an article or book chapter, a dissertation chapter, etc (maximum 25 pages)

6) (unofficial) graduate transcripts

7) contact information for three references (references will be contacted after October 1)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Inquiries may be sent by email to English Department Manager Jessica Gopp (jgopp@scu.edu), Attention Black Technical Communication Search Committee.

Applications must be received by 10/01/2023.

WORK AUTHORIZATION:

A foreign national who is appointed to a tenured or tenure-track faculty position is eligible for sponsorship by Santa Clara University.

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the university community is a top priority. All Santa Clara University students, and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or request a medical or religious exemption. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage for additional information.

Work Authorization:

A foreign national who is appointed to a tenured or tenure-track faculty position is eligible for sponsorship by Santa Clara University.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. The Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is Aaron Zisser, Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 408-551-3043, azisser@scu.edu , www.scu.edu/title-ix. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its’ commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.

To view the full job posting and apply for this position, go to https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/scu/scu/job/Santa-Clara-CA/Tenure-track-Assistant-Professor-of-Black-Technical-Communication_R3886

Matt Gomes, PhD
Assistant Professor of English
Santa Clara University
Indexer and Social Media Coordinator, The Journal of Writing Assessment