Instructor (Part-Time), Paralegal Studies

Academic Personnel

Academic HR

School / Campus / College: Continuum College

Organization: Continuum College

Title: Instructor (Part-Time), Paralegal Studies

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, ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pce.uw.edu%2Fcertificates%2Fparalegal-studies&module=jobs&id=2255518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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 ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.continuum.uw.edu%2Fprograms&module=jobs&id=2255518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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.

The University of Washington is using Interfolio’s Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

For help signing up, accessing your account, or submitting your application, please check out Interfolio’s help and support section or get in touch via email at helpinterfolio.com or phone at (877)997-8807.

Title IX Notice Title IX, Title VII, VAWA, Washington State law, and University of Washington policy collectively prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, pregnant or parenting status, and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) identity.

Anyone may contact the Office of the Title IX Coordinator about sex and gender discrimination, including sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. Anyone who has experienced these behaviors has the right to make a complaint to the University, report to the police, to both, or not at all.

Please see the Title IX website to learn more about how to report or make a formal complaint of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other sexual misconduct. You will also find information about supportive measures and the grievance procedures that are utilized for complaints of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. Students and employees have access to support measures and resources, whether or not they choose to make a complaint.

Office of the Title IX Coordinator

Valery Richardson, Title IX Coordinator
Mags Aleks, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
4311 11th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105
206-221-7932
TitleIXuw.edu

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian,
staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint
( ?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washington.edu%2Fdiversity%2Fdiversity-blueprint&module=jobs&id=2255518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint /). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code
recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal
opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and
responsibilities ( ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washington.edu%2Fadmin%2Frules%2Fpolicies%2FFCG%2FFCCH24.html%232432&module=jobs&id=2255518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432 ).
Seattle, WA