Faculty Development Specialist

Brenau University; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Brenau University is seeking a Faculty Development Specialist to support faculty in improving teaching practices and student learning outcomes.

This role involves designing and facilitating professional development programming at all levels, fostering collaboration with full-time and adjunct faculty. Candidates should possess a Master's degree and have relevant professional experience.

The position is full-time, based at the Gainesville campus, with a focus on continuous improvement in higher education.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in professional development for adult learners.
• Experience with faculty instruction at the postsecondary level.
• Commitment to continuous professional growth and lifelong learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in teaching and learning for faculty development.
• Consult to support course design and delivery methods.
• Coordinate professional development programs like workshops and webinars.

Skills

Evidence-based instructional practices

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of higher education trends

Education

Master's degree in a related field

Job description

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Brenau University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal or state laws in its employment practices or educational programs.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Brenau University is a drug-free workplace as certified by the Georgia Workers Compensation Board.

ELIGIBILITY: Successful applicants must be eligible to work in the United States on or before the confirmed start date. This includes being a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a foreign national with work authorization that doesn't require employer sponsorship. Individuals must maintain this eligibility throughout employment.

Position Summary

The Faculty Development Specialist serves as a resource, consultant, and partner to full-time and adjunct faculty across Brenau University's four academic colleges. Working within the Center for Teaching and Learning and reporting to the Center Director, the Specialist applies expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning to research, design, coordinate, deliver, and assess evidence-based professional development programming across online, on-ground, and hybrid contexts at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This work is grounded in Brenau’s commitment to continuous improvement in teaching practice and student achievement.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field required. A minimum of 1–2 years of experience designing and facilitating professional development for adult learners in a higher education or corporate setting — including train-the-trainer models, educator-focused programming, or faculty instruction at the postsecondary level.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate

• A commitment to continuous professional growth and lifelong learning
• Interpersonal skills and disposition to engage faculty and staff as partners in developing their teaching practice, particularly within expert-driven academic cultures
• Working knowledge of current trends and emerging research in higher education teaching and learning

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning to help faculty identify and evaluate evidence-based instructional practices appropriate to their specific teaching contexts, disciplines, and student populations
• Build collaborative relationships with full-time and adjunct faculty to encourage sustained engagement with professional development opportunities and foster a culture of continuous teaching improvement
• Consult with faculty to support the design and refinement of course content, delivery methods, and assessment strategies across online, on-ground, and hybrid modalities at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Support faculty in the effective integration of instructional technologies and learning management systems to enhance course delivery and student engagement
• Coordinate and facilitate professional development programming, including workshops, webinars, and faculty learning communities, in face-to-face, synchronous online, and asynchronous online formats
• Support new faculty onboarding by orienting incoming instructors to university expectations, available resources, and evidence-based teaching practices
• Conduct needs assessments and assist the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning in evaluating, analyzing, and reporting on the effectiveness of faculty development programming on a regular, periodic basis
• Collaborate with departments and units across the university on initiatives that advance teaching excellence and student success
• Maintain current knowledge of trends, research, and best practices in faculty development and the scholarship of teaching and learning, including active engagement with relevant professional organizations and communities of practice
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively both as a member of cross-functional university teams and independently with minimal supervision
• Other duties as assigned in support of the Office of Academic Affairs

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities required.

Work Hours

Full-time. 37.5 hours per week. Generally, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Hours may be extended to meet the needs of the department. Nights/weekends as needed.

Environmental and Working Conditions / Physical Demands and Aptitudes

Sedentary work. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must have the ability to travel short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials. Exerting up to 15 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

Title IX Implications

Responsible employee. Any employee who is not a confidential employee. Brenau University requires that all Responsible Employees MUST report any possible sexual harassment or discrimination based on sex to the Title IX Coordinator when the employee has information about conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sex-based harassment under Title IX or this part. Employees are encouraged to report these concerns in writing via email. When an employee or a student (or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of a student) informs any employee (including both Responsible and Confidential employees) of the employee’s or student’s pregnancy or related conditions, that employee must promptly provide that person with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and inform that person that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the employee’s or student’s equal access to the Recipient’s education program or activity.

Payroll Status

Salary- Exempt (paid bi-weekly)

Campus Designation

This is an on-site position based at the Historic Gainesville Campus located in Gainesville, Georgia.

Remote Work Available

No

Travel Requirements

No travel required.

Benefits

Dependent upon employment status, years of service and worker category. Explore all that Brenau offers for Your Health, Your Mind, Your Finances, & Our Community here: https://intranet.brenau.edu/human-resources/job-opportunities/.

Special Requirements

Brenau University conducts various screenings to ensure a safe and secure environment. These checks are a condition of employment and may be performed at different times throughout employment. (1) Background Checks: All new hires must undergo a criminal background check. To maintain employment, individuals must have and maintain a favorable criminal history. The university may also conduct random background checks. Additional checks may be performed for certain roles. (2) Credit Checks: required for positions that handle university funds or credit cards or as otherwise required. (3) Motor Vehicle and Driving Checks: employees who operate a university vehicle or drive on university business must have a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) run as part of the new hire process or as the requirement to drive is added to job responsibilities. To be approved for university travel, employees must meet the following criteria: be at least 21 years old, have and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license, and have and maintain a good driving record. As a condition of employment, employees must report any arrest (within five days of its occurrence) to the Office of Human Resources, including traffic violations for those listed on our auto insurance policy. Disclosure of subsequent legal action (conviction, dismissal of charges, etc.) must also be reported to the Office of Human Resources. It will be evaluated considering continued employment with the immediate supervisor. (4) Drug Screening: pre-employment/post-offer drug screens and random drug screens are performed for certain sensitive positions. Random drug screens are also performed on those who travel regularly, or those who operate a university vehicle. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug screening.

Additional Requirements

N/A

Licensure Requirements

Proof of any professional degree, license, or certification (collectively, “Credentials”) required to competently perform the work for which the employee is hired must have been submitted at the time of application for the position. Discovery during the course of employee’s employment that applicable Credentials have lapsed, been terminated, were misrepresented, or were falsified may result in immediate termination of employee’s employment.

All positions will be filled pending budgetary review.