Visiting Instructor

University of Colorado Colorado Springs; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CU Advantage

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Job summary

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is seeking a Visiting Instructor for the First Year Rhetoric and Writing (FYRW) Program within the English Department. The role includes teaching 12 credit hours per semester, maintaining office hours, and guiding first-year writers with a strong rhetorical emphasis.

The appointment is temporary, exempt from FLSA, and located on-site in Colorado Springs. Applicants should have a Master’s in English or related field and experience teaching first-year

Qualifications

• Must have a Master’s Degree in English or closely related field.
• Experience as instructor of record in first‑year college writing courses is required.
• Evidence of successful teaching of first-year writing with a rhetorical focus is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach FYRW courses (ENGL 1300, 1305, 1308, 1310, and/or 1410).
• Maintain office hours and hold conferences with students.
• Provide timely feedback and create a learning environment enabling student success.
• Integrate educational technologies effectively in instruction.
• Attend department meetings and contribute to program/service activities.

Skills

Teaching

First-year writing

Rhetoric theory

Educational tech

Diversity awareness

Education

Master's Degree in English or related field

Job description

First Year Rhetoric and Writing Program, English Department, College of LAS

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Visiting Instructor to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward‑thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary/Pay Range

$ 25,000 for spring semester 2027. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location

On‑Site

Full‑time

Benefits at a Glance

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• CU Advantage

Because this appointment is temporary, you will not be eligible to receive all of the benefits normally provided to members of the university staff under the standard University of Colorado benefits programs. You are not eligible to receive paid vacation leave, medical, or retirement benefits. However, you are eligible to accrue sick leave and you will accrue 0.034 hours of sick leave per hour worked.

Summary

The First‑Year Rhetoric and Writing (FYRW) Program teaches core writing courses that are part of UCCS's general education program, the Compass Curriculum. The Program delivers ENGL 1300, 1305, 1308, 1310, and 1410. The courses are grounded in rhetorical theory and writing process. In them students develop critical reading, writing and thinking skills. The courses serve two complementary purposes—to prepare writers for academic reading and writing assignments at the university level, and to introduce students to rhetoric and writing as a field of study itself. The Visiting Instructor will teach 12 credit hours per semester within FYRW.

Essential Functions

• (95%) Teaching FYRW courses (ENGL 1300, 1305, 1308, 1310, and/or 1410)
  • Work effectively with students of various ages and diverse competencies and cultural backgrounds
  • Teach writing to first‑year students with a rhetorical focus
  • Perform duties expected of full‑time faculty including:
    • Maintaining office hours
    • Holding conferences with students
    • Providing students with timely feedback
    • Creating a learning environment that fosters student success
    • Integrating educational technologies effectively
    • Remaining abreast of best practices and scholarship in rhetoric and composition studies.
• (5%) Service
  • Attend and contribute to department meetings
  • Engage in program, department, and/or university service

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: November 23, 2026; 5pm MST
• Potential interview dates: Week of December 7th, 2026
• Potential start date: January 11, 2027.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

• Must have a A Master's Degree in English or a closely related field is required with a minimum of 6 graduate credit hours in rhetorical theory, history, and/or criticism, composition, writing theory, and/or writing pedagogy.
• Experience as the instructor of record in one or more first‑year college writing courses is required.
• Evidence of successful teaching of first‑year writing with a rhetorical focus is preferred.
• Evidence of background in classical and contemporary rhetorical theory is preferred.
• Evidence of successful teaching in computer classrooms is preferred.
• Ability to integrate educational technologies effectively into the instructional process is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with students of various ages and of diverse competencies and cultural background is preferred.
• Ability to contribute to a collegial and collaborative work environment is preferred.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date. If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions.

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Applications submitted by November 23, 2026 will receive full consideration.
• Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at cu.edu/cu-careers (job #: 41521).
• Official transcripts will be required upon hire.
• Upon request, please be prepared to provide three professional references including their email contact information.
• Statements of teaching philosophy are required as part of the application.