Teaching Consultant, Faculty Development and Applied Research

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Overview of the Organization

Duke Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education (LILE) is Duke University’s central resource for innovative teaching and learning on campus and through Duke’s professional, continuing, and online education offerings. LILE’s applied educational research and development expertise and market-driven lifetime learning opportunities serve all learners, from pre-college through post-career.

Position Summary

The Teaching Consultant will work within the Faculty Development and Applied Research (FDAR) division as a member of the Teaching Innovation team to provide instructor support and educational development. A competitive candidate will have previously supported instructors with their teaching, and will have first-hand knowledge of typical pedagogical approaches and educational tools used in excellent teaching. The candidate should be able to effectively and enthusiastically engage with faculty in person, online, and in writing to encourage and support effective teaching practices and the design of engaging, inclusive, and effective courses and learning experiences. The ideal candidate will have experience with program evaluation, and in particular with survey design and other forms of qualitative and quantitative assessment. The ideal candidate will also have a demonstrated understanding of generative artificial intelligence and its uses and implications for pedagogical innovation.

FDAR is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and to help create Duke educational experiences that recognize diversity and cultural competence as integral components of academic and organizational excellence. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

Responsibilities

Support and leadership for pedagogical innovation (60%)

Provide pedagogical and educational technology consulting and advice, training, and project and program support, to help instructors find innovative and transformative ways to achieve their teaching goals. Provide assessment and evaluation consultations as necessary to help measure and iterate effective teaching and learning. This position will primarily support instructors teaching in undergraduate and graduate courses both on campus and online, but will also support instructors for pre-college through post-career learners. Job goals are to:

• Develop and maintain knowledge and expertise of effective pedagogical methods.
• Develop and maintain knowledge and expertise related to commonly-used educational technology tools.
• Assess instructor teaching needs and advocate for resources and services to meet those needs.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with instructors.
• Plan, develop and implement events and programs such as faculty learning communities (FLCs), teaching institutes, invited speakers, workshops, panels, and demonstrations to inform instructors on instructional and pedagogical trends, effective teaching and learning techniques, and use of technologies for teaching.
• Consult on program evaluation design and planning, and in particular on survey design and other forms of qualitative and quantitative assessment to measure and iterate effective teaching and learning.
• Participate in LILE and University committees and work groups as relevant.

Learning technology tools support (30%)

• Answer instructor questions and provide best-practice guidance about use of Duke-supported learning technologies including the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and other tools.
• Assist with new educational technology pilots or implementation roll-outs to help provide tools to meet teaching and learning needs at Duke. This may include researching and testing tools, gathering data about faculty tool use, helping integrate new technologies into existing facilities, processes and pedagogies, and helping plan needed upgrades to facilities and systems.

Communications and community-building (10%)

• Develop online resources to enable instructors and students to use new teaching techniques successfully. This includes but is not limited to creating content for the LILE website, blog and newsletter.
• Review professional literature; network with educational development and educational technology professionals inside and outside the University; and participate in activities to stay informed about trends in higher education.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May train and mentor student employees.

Qualifications

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core values of LILE. We believe that the educational environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and learn. Applicants with a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in higher education are particularly encouraged to apply.

Education

Minimum:

• Master’s degree

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or terminal degree in a subject matter related to education or the learning sciences more broadly

Experience

Minimum: 

• 1-3 years successful experience in instructor pedagogical or educational technology support, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Preferred:

• 2-5 years successful experience in higher education instructor pedagogical or educational technology support.
• Demonstrated understanding of generative artificial intelligence and its uses and implications for pedagogical innovation.
• Demonstrated understanding of evaluation and assessment mindsets, methodologies, and instruments and how they are related to iterative pedagogical innovation and excellence.
• Demonstrated commitment to or interest in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in learning environments.
• Knowledge of widely-used and emerging tools, resources, and pedagogical techniques within a higher education academic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver effective training to participants with varying levels of technical understanding and pedagogical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete projects, design and deliver programs, and to manage a complex workload, including good time management and task prioritization skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills resulting in an ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of people within an academic community.
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative member of a team.

Working Conditions

LILE is a remote-first organization, meaning individuals may choose to work away from our campus office. There will be at least two times each year when everyone is required to attend in-person All-Hands meetings; employees are responsible for all expenses associated with travel to and from LILE’s Durham, NC, office. In addition, the Teaching Consultant will be expected to attend additional meetings on or near Duke’s campus throughout the year. The employee may be asked to occasionally work in the evening, but this will be in conjunction with a manager to adjust other work times.

Directions to apply

To apply for this position, please go to https://careers.duke.edu/, find the position opening, and submit the following.

• A 1-2 page cover letter that articulates your relevant experience and expertise and explains how you would be a good candidate for the position.
• A 1-2 page resume that outlines your previously held professional positions and work accomplishments, education, skills, and other information relevant to the competencies described in this job description.
• A list of 3 professional references, including your present supervisor. Duke will not contact your references without first seeking your permission. 

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collectivesuccess depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke Universityand Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

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