Western Colorado University

Tenure-Track Faculty Position in English

Western Colorado University invites applications for a tenure-track teaching position in English and Creative Writing at the rank of assistant professor. 

Duties: Responsibilities include teaching at all levels of English and Creative Writing, including first-year composition, introduction to creative writing, specialized courses in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and magazine production, and occasional opportunities to teach lower-division literature.  Successful candidates will teach 24 semester hours per year and will mentor creative writing students beyond the classroom.  Responsibilities include advising majors, serving as co-advisors to the Contemporary Writer Series and Wordhorde, the student run visiting writers/open-microphone series, as well as mentoring and guiding student efforts to submit and publish their work. University and departmental service as well as continued professional development are also required.

This is a vibrant English program with opportunities to help shape Creative Writing, a comprehensive emphasis, which is part of the major. English also houses the new Humanities and Diversity minor and Professional Writing Certificate in addition to first year composition.

Salary: $49,000–$53,000 depending on experience. Benefits include an employee/employer shared contribution retirement plan, life and health insurance, and dependent tuition reduction benefits, after one year of employment.

Start Date: August 1, 2020 

Qualifications: MFA or Ph.D. in creative writing with thorough grounding in critical/literary analysis and preparation to teach fiction and/or poetry. Creative writing publications a plus. Must have excellent record of university-level teaching experience, commitment to involvement in co-curriculars, ability to be mentored, and an enthusiasm for recruiting English majors.

Application: To apply, go to www.western.edu/jobs  and use our online application (see the "apply" link at the top of the job posting); required attachments to your online application include a cover letter, curriculum vita, academic transcripts, sample syllabi, evidence of teaching excellence, including at least one year of student evaluations, and a 10-page creative writing sample.   

In addition, ask three references to send letters of recommendation directly to: cpetito@western.edu

For more information, contact: Cindy Petito (970) 943-2025; email: cpetito@western.edu.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during screening. Official transcripts are required prior to employment.  

Application review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Western is a residential, public university with an enrollment of 3,400 students who come from across Colorado and all fifty states. Faculty members share a strong commitment to personalized education with the liberal arts as its core. It is a student-oriented, collegial, energetic, and engaged campus and community. The curriculum provides professional flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. Western is also an advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusivity of all types including ability (physical, mental), social class, racial/ethnic, linguistic, religion, sexual orientation, age, experience, gender, and cultural. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge. The university is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides significant year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. Employees have chosen Western because of the quality of life combined with rewarding careers. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus.

Contact Information

Cindy Petito, Administrative Assistant
Communication Arts, Language and Literature
Taylor Hall, Room 216, 1 Western Way
1 Western Way
Gunnison
CO
81231
Contact Phone: 
(970) 943-2025
Contact e-mail: