Position Description
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service.
UW Continuum College expands the reach of the University of Washington by delivering educational programs that meet the needs of learners at all phases of their lives. We're focused on removing obstacles to relevant educational opportunities by addressing geographic, financial, length of commitment, and time constraints, increasing access to knowledge for more people. As a diverse community that values inclusivity and collaboration, we foster a respectful, supportive workplace where innovation comes to life. By looking ahead and experimenting with new approaches, we're creating new educational opportunities to help people thrive in a world of change.
UW Continuum College (UWC2) has an outstanding opportunity for a part-time instructor for the Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) Certificate in Paralegal Studies program. Instructors serve a key role in certificate programs, engaging with students, serving as subject matter experts, presenting learning content, and assessing whether learners have achieved course competencies. PCE students consistently say that the instructor is the single most important element of their course.
We are expanding our instructor pool for all program courses and are currently accepting applications on an ongoing basis. Classes are offered live in the evenings, 6:00-9:00 PM, during Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters via Zoom. Summer courses are asynchronous online. The time commitment is three hours of weekly instruction and approximately five hours of weekly lesson preparation, student interaction, and grading outside of class time.
Professional and Continuing Education Instructors...
- Prepare a course syllabus in advance of the course start date (templates provided).
- Ensure that lesson plans and presentation materials for the full course are relevant and current.
- Teach all class sessions at the scheduled time.
- Respond to student inquiries and provide feedback on student assignments in a timely manner. (One day for general questions, two to seven days for assignments/exams/projects).
- Coordinate with other instructors in the certificate program, to ensure curriculum continuity across courses.
- For real-time online classes via Zoom, create curriculum plan with clear learning outcomes and competencies.
- For asynchronous classes, teach to a set curriculum plan with clear learning outcomes and competencies.
- Adapt instructional techniques based on feedback from students and the Program Manager, and implement sound pedagogical practices.
- Ensure that online learning modules and presentations are relevant and current.
- Monitor student engagement with the online course materials and with peers, including regular participation in and monitoring of online discussion forums if used.
- Provide instructional content and feedback with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of professionalism, punctuality, and content relevance for diverse adult students.
- Complete instructor onboarding, relevant learning technology training, and other training as needed.
- Observe FERPA, HIPAA, and other privacy laws and policies.
- Participate in 1-2 instructor meetings and information sessions per year.
- Participate in weekly check-ins with co-instructors and/or instructional assistants for the duration of the course.
- Coordinate with other instructors in the certificate program, to ensure curriculum continuity.
- Complete an online instructor onboarding course and relevant learning technology training.
- Other duties as assigned.
UWC2 Extension Lecturers / Instructors are Academic Staff, not faculty. These are part-time, temporary positions.
A list of the twelve ten-week courses can be found below as well as on the UW PCE Website, https://www.pce.uw.edu/certificates/paralegal-studies.
- Introduction to Law & Legal Practice (fall)
- Professional Responsibility & Ethics (fall)
- Legal Research, Writing, & Analysis I & II (fall, spring)
- Civil Procedure & Litigation I & II (winter, spring)
- Interviewing & Investigation Techniques (winter)
- Contract Law (spring)
- Law Office Procedures & Tech (winter, summer)
- Business Law (summer)
- Complex Litigation (summer)
- Litigation Specialties (summer)
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- J.D. degree, or paralegal degree or certificate from an ABA-approved program.
- Experience working in a law office or legal department with paralegals, or as a paralegal.
- Excellent technology skills and a familiarity with the Internet and communicating online.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Ability, and desire, to successfully work with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Willingness to teach with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of professionalism, punctuality, and content relevance for diverse adult students.
- Legal authorization to work and receive compensation in the United States.
Desired Qualifications
- Active member of the Washington State Bar Association with at least five years of experience practicing as an attorney, or active member of the Washington State Paralegal Association with at least 10 years of experience as a paralegal.
- Prior teaching or mentoring experience, particularly with adult learners at a community college or university.
- Experience working with learning management systems (LMS).
Instructions
To apply to be an instructor for the Paralegal Studies Certificate program, please submit the following:
- A cover letter describing your areas of interest and expertise
- Resume or CV, including names and contact information of three references.
- A link to a professional webpage, Google scholar page (if applicable), and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and review of applications will occur intermittently dependent on program needs.
You can read more about Continuum College programs at https://www.continuum.uw.edu/programs
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information,
gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
