• Job Description

  Req#: JR-016329

  The salary range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

  At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
  

  Pay Range: $59,900.00 - $89,900.00

  
  If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

  Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

  $66,000/Annual + Benefits – Deadlines: 11/15/2023 External, 11/26/2023 Internal

  ***Cover Letter Requirement: Submit a cover letter to specifically address the bulleted points under both the minimum and preferred job qualifications. [An application submitted without this non-generic cover letter may not be moved forward.]

  Position Summary:

  A new kind of U . As a competency-based, student-focused, online, nonprofit university, we do things a bit differently at WGU. From the bottom up, we are designed with students in mind—particularly, the busy, working, adult student who wants to earn a bachelor's or master's degree but for whom a traditional university education simply will not do. As a Course Instructor your primary focus is student learning!

  Course Instructors at WGU function in a professorial role as subject matter experts who teach and assist students as they engage specific sections of the WGU curriculum. The type, length, and intensity of instructional methods vary based upon student needs. Course Instructors help students with specific questions that arise and offer specialized instruction on challenging topics. Their primary focus is bringing WGU courses of study to life through one-to-one engagement. Course Instructors do not develop WGU courses, construct tests, or grade assessments independently- but rather wholly focus on student learning and student success. Course Instructor contributions to this team effort reflects the university’s disaggregated model. Their experience and training showcase their subject matter expertise.

  Job Qualifications:

  Minimum Qualifications:

  • Doctorate degree plus Curriculum & Instruction degree/certification
  • Teaching experience working in the K-12 setting
  • Three years of providing student support and instruction
  • Ability to work with diverse learner profiles and struggling or at-risk learners
  • Passion for delivering exceptional customer service to students (AKA “Student Obsession")
  • Apt at breaking down and disseminating difficult topics in a manner students can understand and grasp
  • Available to work evenings and weekends for five consecutive days a week (ie. Tuesday to Saturday/Sunday to Thursday)

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • Background in distance education and/or working with distance learning students
  • History of online teaching and working with adult learners

  Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Acts as a steward for carrying out WGU’s mission and strategic vision by demonstrating effective and consistent commitment to learner-centered, competency-based educational support.
  • Responsible to monitor the course progress of an assigned group of learners in their course(s) and proactively offer support at key points of the student journey.
  • Provides expertise in assigned content area and maintains current knowledge in their field.
  • Fosters student learning through innovative, effective teaching practices.
  • Responds with urgency to meet student needs and communicates professionally and respectfully with students and all other members of the WGU community.
  • Offers timely support and outreach to students, including meeting service level agreements as outlined by their department.
  • Uses technology-based teaching and communication platforms to aid students in the development of competencies.
  • Collaborates with other professionals within the university to promote a positive, student-obsessed atmosphere.
  • Participates in all required training activities.
  • Responds with urgency to changing requirements, priorities, and short deadlines.
  • Consistently exhibits WGU Leadership Principles.
  • Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as the position evolves.

  Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

  • Demonstrated ability to customize instructional support for learners with a variety of needs and educational backgrounds.
  • Must demonstrate technological competency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (or similar) applications, virtual instructional platforms, and student management systems.
  • Extraordinary customer service orientation.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to present information clearly, concisely, and accurately; friendly, persuasive speaking and writing style.
  • Well organized - conscientious and thorough with detail.
  • Ability to use data to make decisions.
  • Strong understanding, acceptance, adherence and promotion of the tenets of competency-based education in the WGU model.

  Competencies:

  Organizational or Student Impact:

  • Accountable for decisions that impact individual students.
  • Creates or facilitates learning experiences that support students’ attainment of knowledge and skills.
  • With specific guidance from senior faculty and program leaders, acts independently in executing teaching practice.

  Problem Solving & Decision Making:

  • Works on diverse matters of limited complexity.
  • Receives general direction from their immediate supervisor or manager.
  • Effectively utilizes resources to address student concerns and inquiries.
  • Supports student needs to help them achieve course or program outcomes at the individual student level.
  • Follows university and department established policies and best practices.

  Communication & Influence:

  • Communicates with students as appropriate to support student questions and needs.
  • Communicates with fellow faculty members as appropriate within and outside of the department.
  • Provides feedback regarding discipline and practice leadership.

  Leadership & Talent Management

  • Serves as a contributing and collegial member of teams.
  • Adheres to learning and operational quality guidance and instructions.
  • Supports initiatives within the area of specialty.
  • Displays a positive attitude toward change and supports change management practices.

  Disclaimer: This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

  
  As an equal opportunity employer, WGU recognizes that our strength lies in our people. We are committed to diversity.

• About the company

  Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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