at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
DepartmentCollege Social Sciences Collegiate Division
About the Department
Social Sciences Collegiate Division
Job Summary
The Instructional Assistant assists faculty, other teaching personnel, and program administrations in their work delivering undergraduate education in the Public Policy Studies major. The role focuses on supporting instruction as a teaching assistant in specific for-credit courses or course sequences.
The position may primarily support either the Senior Capstone or Public Policy Core courses. A Capstone focus would mean that about 2/3 of the assistance would take place in support of the BA Thesis Seminar and the BA Project Seminars. The BA Thesis Seminar guides students in conducting original, independent research (e.g., developing methodological skills, collecting and analyzing data) and culminates in a BA thesis. The BA Project Seminar, offered every quarter, focuses on critical policy-relevant writing, resulting in a project that highlights student analysis of vital public policy problems. A Core course focus would involve much of the support being directed to our Core courses, especially PBPL 20000 (Economics for Public Policy), PBPL 22200 (Public Policy Analysis), PBPL 26400 (Quantitative Methods in Public Policy) , and PBPL 22100 (Politics and Policy). Additional duties include advising and mentoring undergraduate students, especially those conducting independent research, grading assignments and exams, and supporting the administration of the major.
The Instructional Assistant supports the instructor with the BA Thesis Seminar. This involves holding office hours, advising students on their theses, especially the writing components, attending the BA symposium during which students present their work, grading the drafts and the final theses, participating in the thesis award granting process. This position provides instructional support to teachers in one or more subjects while expanding individual knowledge and acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. Assists the teachers by providing individual instruction, counseling, and other academic services with a moderate level of guidance and direction. Assesses and documents student progress. Prepares lesson plans, course outlines and assignments.
The Instructional Assistant has experience in research and academic work in public policy, economics, sociology, political science, law or a related field and is equipped to support undergraduate instruction in capacities that range from substantive, pedagogical, methodological, technological, to administrative. The role consists of responsibilities where the specific allocation of duties may differ each quarter.
This position is not term limited. The annual work period is 9.5 months, from September 1 through June 15, and the salary is paid over 12 months, from September through August.
Responsibilities
- Assists the instructors with the BA Project Seminars. This involves holding office hours, advising students on their projects, especially the writing components, grading the drafts and the final papers.
- Assists the instructors of record with the Public Policy Core courses, by conducting weekly review and discussion sections; holding regularly scheduled office hours; reading, commenting on, and grading papers, exams, and other assignments; contributing to teaching resources and student materials; coordinating discussion sections, setting up equipment, managing reserve readings and other logistics; meeting regularly with the instructor of record; attending regularly-scheduled sessions of assigned courses and reading all assigned materials.
- Assists the instructor of record in an undergraduate public policy course or courses by running weekly review and discussion sections as an accompaniment to the scheduled course; holding regularly scheduled office hours; reading and commenting on papers, exams, and other assignments and recommend grades for individual assignments; contributing to teaching resources and student materials; coordinating discussion sections, setting up equipment, managing reserve readings and other logistics; meeting regularly with the instructor of record; attending regularly-scheduled sessions of assigned courses and reading all assigned materials.
- Provides centralized support for undergraduate academics in the Public Policy Studies.
- Leads workshops on research methods and lab sessions for undergraduate courses that focus on quantitative research in the social sciences.
- Meets with students to discuss academics and programming related to the Public Policy Studies major.
- Provides support with events related to the major.
- Meets regularly with instructors of record and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Public Policy Studies to discuss program goals and curriculum.
- Attends relevant on-campus training sessions on pedagogy, social science research methods, and academic technology.
- Interacts with faculty, researchers, and staff for committee work or information.
- Work with small groups of students to help them improve in the subject area and hold office hours to speak individually with students.
- Has a moderate/high level of authority to participate in staff meetings, individual planning meetings, and parent-student staffings.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master's degree or higher in public policy, economics, sociology, political science, law or related fields.
Experience:
- Teaching assistant or instructor in undergraduate courses.
- Some research or writing experience
- Conducting research in public policy, economics, sociology, political science, law or related fields.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong verbal and written communication skills including excellent editing/proofreading ability in English.
- Foster an inclusive environment for all students.
- Handle multiple concurrent projects in a competent and professional manner while also managing details and meeting deadlines.
- Work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team, individually, or in concert with other offices and campus partners.
- Work autonomously, taking initiative and without detailed instructions.
- Maintain confidentiality/discretion at all times.
Working Conditions
- 9.5 month position paid over 12 months.
- Availability during evenings occasionally.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in this position (required)
- References Contact Information (3)(required)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Academic Affairs
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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