GOVT-110 Politics in the U.S. Labs, Teaching Assistant Fall 2026 (Student)

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

American University in Washington, DC, is seeking a part-time GOVT 110 Teaching Assistant who is an enrolled AU student. The role requires availability for Wednesday labs from 9:45 a.m.

to 2:10 p.m., with up to 4.5 hours in-lab, and collaboration with the GOVT-110 instructor for the section. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic record (GPA 3.0+), have taken GOVT-110 with an A- or received instructor approval, and submit a brief statement of interest plus one letter of recommendation.

Qualifications

• Must be an enrolled American University student.
• Weekly commitment: Wednesdays 9:45am–2:10pm for labs (4.5 hours).
• Assist in organizing and coordinating GOVT-110 labs and related activities.
• Submit 1 letter of recommendation and a 350-word statement of interest.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead the Wednesday GOVT-110 labs.
• Support the Instructor and GOVT-110 professor for the section.
• Provide guidance to students on course inquiries and feedback.
• Attend 1 GOVT-110 session weekly or as required.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Multitasking

Education

GPA 3.0+

GOVT-110 course with A-

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

Department

School of Public Affairs

Time Type

Part time

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Job Description

Summary: The main responsibility of a GOVT 110 teaching assistant is to plan and lead the Wednesday labs for GOVT 110. Each teaching assistant is required to be available on Wednesdays from 9:45am- 2:10pm to facilitate these labs. Students are expected to be prepared to spend all 4.5 hours in-lab if needed. You will work closely with the Instructor for GOVT 096 in consultation with the GOVT-110 professor for the section you are assigned. The ideal candidate should have a strong academic background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for education. Each teaching assistant is required to attend one class session of GOVT 110 each week or as required by the professor. This position is available only to enrolled School of Public Affairs (SPA) - American University students.

Essential Functions

• Assist in organizing and coordinating academic events, seminars, or workshops.
• Conduct tutorials, workshops, or lab sessions to support student learning.
• Provide guidance and support to students on course-related inquiries.
• Provide constructive feedback to students to enhance their understanding and performance.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Part-time. 7 hours per week.

Salary Range

$18.40 - $19.50 per hour.

Required Education and Experience

• Good academic standing with a strong GPA (3.0 cumulative GPA or above).
• Must have taken GOVT-110 Politics in the U.S. and have received at least an "A-" in the course to which they are assigned (or received explicit approval from the course instructor).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for interacting with students, faculty, and staff.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Have no other TA obligations in other departments.

We require 1 Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from a current Department of Government faculty member. An additional LOR may be submitted from another faculty member from AU.

Please submit a brief statement (maximum 350 words) explaining your interest in and qualifications for this position.

If accepted as a TA, you must register for and take GOVT-096 Seminar for Teaching Assistants, Monday’s 5:30 - 8:00 PM (zero-credit). The course is tuition-free.

Other Details

This position is available only to enrolled American University students. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

American University is an E-Verify employer. Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.