"Instructional Assistant - Humanities Skills for Life"

Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

Instructional Assistant - Humanities Skills for Life

Job ID

64512

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

08/09/2024

Job Type

Limited Term (<12 months)

Close Date

08/18/2024

Employee Group

Interim

Favorite Job

Department

HUM Associate Dean Academic

Contract Duration

3.9 Months

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details 

Schedule Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, may require  flexibility due to course schedule 

Education Level Bachelor's Degree required, MA or PhD is an asset 

Experience Level Three years of relevant experience 

Hourly Rate $24.59 to $38.17 per hour

Job Description

Department, Unit or Project Description:

In the Faculty of Humanities, our students gain the knowledge, skills and world-class connections they need to succeed in a wide range of careers or further studies. We take pride in cultivating the next generation of thoughtful, empathetic and effective citizens and leaders who will make the world a better – and brighter – place.

The Skills for Life certificate focuses on foundational skills that are critical to student success – both academically and in their career. These are skills that employers regularly include among the skills they most value, like written and oral communication, digital literacy, collaboration, and problem solving.

Under the direction of the lead course instructor, this role will provide pedagogical and technical support and deliver instruction for the course Humanities 1HL3 - Humanities for Life: The Value of a Humanities Degree.

Job Summary:

Provides pedagogical and technical support to course coordinators, the program leadership team and students. Responsible for the development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of curriculum, assessment and instructional activities within an academic unit, department, or Faculty.

Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with instructor regarding curriculum that is to be covered in tutorial and/or lab sessions.
• Write, design and implement instructional activities for labs and/or tutorials in accordance with the curriculum priorities of the Program. 
• Organize, coordinate and lead language practice tutorials and/or inquiry-based labs according to Program and curricular objectives. Reinforce and clarify concepts covered in core lectures.
• Review current educational research literature and educational technologies to ensure best practices in teaching, education and learning.
• Collaborate with colleagues to find creative solutions for student engagement and to develop appropriate materials for the Program in the areas of: problem-based learning, reflective practice and online student engagement.
• Liaise with the course instructor, other tutorial and lab leaders, and students to ensure information within the academic unit is understood by all parties, and to ensure adherence to course, Program and University policies.
• Attend all team meetings, and regularly communicate and collaborate with the instructional team to achieve program consistency and unity.
• Exchange technical and pedagogical information amongst colleagues.
• Develop materials for and train others on lab and tutorial techniques, appropriate digital technologies and on running effective lab and/or tutorial sessions.
• Develop appropriate pedagogical materials as specified by Course and Program Coordinators.
• Compose test and quiz questions and assignment outlines, and prepare rubrics and solution sheets for review by others.
• Prepare a variety of interactive course and program materials, including videos, audio recordings and presentations, using appropriate educational software and editing technologies.
• Prepare, implement and review in person and/or online (virtual) assessments.
• Assist the instructional team with the preparation and set up of digital tools for labs and tutorial sessions, tests and quizzes.
• Organize and monitor the on-line learning environment for labs and tutorials in the Program by ensuring that the appropriate course content information is made available to students, and by ensuring that students are adhering to appropriate internet safety and security protocols.
• Operate and keep current with a variety of teaching platforms and digital tools.
• Troubleshoot, make adjustments, and support colleagues and students through technical difficulties. Ensure major issues are escalated to the course instructor.
• Foster a sense of community among students.
• Mentor Program students and assist students with lab and/or tutorial work in a variety of modalities.
• Resolve student inquiries related to labs and/or tutorials.
• Ensure accurate marking and grading of assessments and report discrepancies to the course instructor. Keep accurate records in program LMS and on secure drives.
• Input, maintain, and verify student information in a variety of secure databases and spreadsheets.
• Correspond and meet with students to address concerns related to the course including, but not limited to, the resolution of contested grades.
• Arrange and offer adequate office hours to meet the needs of Program students.
• Section students for small group virtual and in-person delivery, and schedule appropriate assessments, dealing with all scheduling changes, room reservations, and scheduling conflicts.
• Assess students’ work and provide students with meaningful feedback on assessments.
• Respond to student emails in a timely manner.
• Collect, track, and safeguard student marks and tests.
• Calculate student marks and submit grades to appropriate areas.
• Assess the need for materials, equipment or digital tools and provide recommendations for their acquisition.
• Prepare a variety of documents such as procedure manuals, correspondence, and reports.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in any field of study.
• Experience: Experience teaching in a post-secondary environment. 3 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

• Masters or Doctorate degree in a Humanities discipline
• Proven teaching experience in Humanities
• Experience developing Humanities career skills-based curriculum

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.