Assistant (or Associate) Professor of English/Writing

Job Summary: 

The Department of English/Writing at Eastern Oregon University (EOU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position in our growing undergraduate writing programs and low residency MFA.

The position is a full-time, nine-month faculty appointment, at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. Position reports directly to the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS).

Appointment begins September 16, 2020.

The English/Writing program offers Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees that allow students to choose between robust offerings in Literature, Rhetoric, Professional Writing, and Creative Writing. In addition, the faculty member would contribute significantly to the MFA as part of our growing low-residency creative writing program – with a distinctive track in wilderness, ecology, and community.

Among other regional collaborations, the program’s partnership with Fishtrap Summer Gathering provides an annual event that brings a community of writers from across the nation to engage in week-long workshops and craft talks in the mountains of Eastern Oregon.

Responsibilities: 

The tenure-track course load at EOU is 36 quarter credits per academic year (2-3 courses per quarter), with an additional 9 credits dedicated to scholarship, service to the institution, and community outreach.

The successful candidate’s teaching responsibilities will include on-campus and online courses in creative writing at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The successful candidate will direct theses, advise and mentor students, and contribute to ongoing development of the creative writing program.

The department oversees the student-edited Oregon East literary journal and curates a yearlong literacy reading series, which would provide additional opportunities for a candidate with appropriate expertise and interest.

We seek qualified, creative individuals with a broad range of experience and demonstrated success in encouraging student learning at all levels and in multiple modalities. Participation in academic advising, campus committees, curriculum development, scholarship, and community outreach is expected.

Overload stipends are issued for teaching during the summer MFA residency. The position begins September 16, 2020, with the opportunity to join the summer 2020 residency in early July.

Minimum Qualifications: 

An MFA or Ph.D. in Creative Writing.

At least one book-length work of fiction or creative nonfiction published by a reputable literary press and significant publications in literary journals and/or magazines.

Evidence of successful teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

To be hired at Associate Professor rank, a minimum of five years of teaching experience and tenured status at (another) institution are required. At point of hire, up to two years of experience may be approved and applied toward early tenure eligibility at EOU.

Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check.

Valid work authorization documents required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Ability to teach across genres and in interdisciplinary courses.

Familiarity with low-residency MFA programming and administration.

Expertise in professional editing and publishing.

Interests in gender, ecology, contemporary and under-represented literature of the American West.

Evidence of conscientious academic advising, working well in collaboration with colleagues and community partners, and a demonstrated record of commitment to student success in both face-to-face and online courses.