Instructor Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications Program

Position: Instructor (10 months) - Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications Program - College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Job Description:

Instructor - Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications Program

Budget

Title:

Instructor 10 months

Unit:
Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications Program

Professional Rank and Salary: $60,000 - $65,000, DOQ

Location:

Syracuse

The Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications Program seeks to hire a full-time Instructor in Writing (tenure track) with a term beginning in August 2026. The successful candidate will be expected to teach on campus at SUNY ESF. The Writing Program at ESF is a dynamic community of teachers, writers, scholars, and storytellers with 13 visiting and full-time teachers, over forty Environmental Writing Minors, and hosts numerous core courses and electives.

The ideal candidates will be writers who work and teach in one or more genres covered in our Writing Program (professional writing, environmental literature, environmental humanities, composition, digital storytelling, public presentation, creative writing) with an understanding of the significance of writing and communication in a STEM school. This includes experience having taught at the college level.

Though it is preferred that candidates either have a PhD or a terminal degree in a related field, consideration will be given to candidates with substantial publications or experience equivalent to a terminal degree. Candidates who can teach composition as well as literature and public presentation skills are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose work explicitly focuses on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice are encouraged to apply.

A strong commitment to undergraduate education beyond the classroom is vital. Our ideal candidates will possess an earnest and continued awareness of issues around inclusion, diversity, equity, social justice, and accessibility within the facets of writing, the teaching profession, and the classroom. The candidate should be able to demonstrate culturally responsive writing pedagogies and approaches and possess a fluid overall pedagogy that is able to adapt and expand as the cultural conversation around representation, privilege-based difference, and inclusive excellence continues to evolve.

The position requires enthusiastic teaching of first-and second-year writing courses (EWP 190: Writing and the Environment; EWP 290: Research, Writing and Humanities) and courses in Public Presentations Skills and Professional Writing. Instructors are responsible for a 4/3 teaching load of lower and upper division writing classes.

Alongside teaching, instructors support the Writing Program by collaborating on curriculum assessment and development and participating in university service. We are eager to hear from candidates with a commitment to advancing SUNY ESF's strategic plan and our mission, vision, and values.

Areas of scholarly strengths in the Writing Program include Composition, Rhetoric, Environmental Writing, Public Presentation, Creative Writing, Environmental Humanities, and Environmental Storytelling. The program offers four student-facing service centers: the Digital Storytelling Studio; the English for Speakers of Other Languages Center (E.S.O.L); the Public Speaking Lab; and the Writing Resource Center. We are eager to hear from candidates with a commitment to advancing SUNY ESF's strategic plan and our mission, vision, and values.

Primary Responsibilities

* Teach undergraduate writing courses with a particular focus on environmental writing and humanities (3:4 per academic year).

* Engage in professional or academic activities in campus-based, local, regional, or broader communities in an effort to make a positive impact and advance the recognition and reputation of the College.

* Collaborate with faculty across SUNY ESF to support writing on campus, as well as curriculum assessment and development, and committee service.

* Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

* Advanced or terminal degree (PhD, MFA, MA) in Writing/Rhetoric or a related field

* Training and/or coursework in pedagogies of writing

* Experience teaching multiple modes of writing, critical thinking, argumentation, and research at the college level

* Experience with instructional technology

* Experience and willingness to teach classes in person/in classroom

* Experience and willingness to teach classes online

* Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of students

* Demonstrated collegiality and ability to work with faculty, staff, and administration in support of writing program and university goals

* Demonstrated commitment to student success

Preferred Qualifications:

* 3+ years of teaching experience at the college level

* Familiarity with multiple approaches to teaching first-year composition and academic writing

* Personal experience with or experience teaching genres of writing such as digital, civic, creative, environmental, science, business, and/or professional writing

Additional Information:

About the College of Environmental Science and Forestry:

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and…