English Department Non-Tenure-Track Vacancy Pool

Western Washington U; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

A public university in Bellingham, Washington is seeking educators for non‑tenure‑track teaching positions in the English Department. Candidates must have an MA/MFA in a relevant field and demonstrate successful teaching experience. Applicants are encouraged to foster inclusive learning environments. Continuous application for potential teaching openings is available, with a closing date for the vacancy pool of January 31, 2027.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated successful experience teaching at college or university level.
• Commitment to cultivating equitable learning environments.
• Commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of diverse student backgrounds

Responsibilities

• Engage students actively in their learning, maintaining high standards.
• Provide feedback on coursework and hold office hours.
• Maintain regular office hours and participate in course evaluations for annual review

Skills

Successful teaching experience

Commitment to inclusive learning environments

College teaching

Education

MA/MFA or above in English-related fields

PhD or MFA in related field (preferred)

Job description

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About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students, and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master’s‑granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western’s greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, students, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the English Department support Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

The English Department is currently teaching in‑person classes and would require applicants to be available to teach in person.

About the Position

The English Department maintains a vacancy pool of qualified persons interested in non‑tenure‑track teaching positions. In anticipation of possible openings throughout the academic year and summer sessions, we accept applications continuously for temporary, full, and part‑time, non‑tenure‑track positions at the instructor level. Although most non‑tenure‑track faculty receive their course assignments for the upcoming academic year by mid‑July, positions may become available at any time and are filled on a quarterly basis.

We expect you to be an exemplary teacher; to be current in your discipline; to engage students actively in their own learning, including discussion, writing, and analysis; and to maintain high standards regarding course content. You will be expected to provide students with feedback on their coursework and examinations, be available to students through regularly scheduled office hours, have your students evaluate your courses using the standard University evaluation forms, and make those evaluations available to the department chair and faculty for annual review.

Required Qualifications

• MA/MFA or above in English, Linguistics, Rhetoric and Composition, Film Studies, Technical Writing, or Creative Writing
• Demonstrated successful experience teaching at the college or university level
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in English, Linguistics, Rhetoric and Composition, Technical Writing, or Film Studies; or MFA in Creative Writing
• Demonstrated currency in the discipline

Conditions of Employment

All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60‑days of hire. Please reach out to [e-mail] if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application Information

A cover letter and curriculum vitae are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications, including your demonstrated commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds. Candidates should also upload two sets of evaluations of your teaching from students in college or university courses, a one‑page statement describing your teaching philosophy and pedagogy, and a list of courses (name and number) that you have taught at the college or university level. You will be asked to provide contact information for three references.

Closing Date Notes

Applications are accepted continuously for potential NTT faculty openings; please apply at your earliest convenience. Vacancy pool closes no later than January 31, 2027.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Please see WWU’s policies on prohibiting discrimination based on a protected class. For inquiries, contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); [e-mail].

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.