Full-Time Faculty Position in Writing Studies, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The English and Communication Studies Department seeks a full-time tenure-track faculty member of Writing Studies with a primary focus on Business and Professional Writing and first-year composition pedagogy, along with expertise in AI and writing, critical AI literacy, machine writing, or related areas of digital rhetorics and pedagogies. The successful candidate will be expected to teach existing first-year and third-year writing courses and to develop writing and rhetoric courses appropriate to their area of specialization. They will be expected to provide intellectual and pedagogical leadership for the Department’s offerings in first-year Composition and third-year professional and research-based writing.

New hires will be expected to participate in the rotation of administrative duties related to our writing program, rotating into the role of Writing Program Coordinator so that faculty with scholarly expertise in writing studies can provide consistent, long-term leadership of the writing program.

They will also be expected to coordinate closely with the English Language and Literacy program to support students who need additional developmental/language support and have a commitment to working with culturally and linguistically diverse students in an institution with a strong emphasis on diversity, globalization, and experiential learning. Interest and experience in interdisciplinary collaboration are highly desirable. They will also be expected to work closely with The Writing and Speaking Studio, which may include but is not limited to developing student-centric programming and professional development opportunities.

Successful candidates will excel in the following areas:

Globalism

• Possess broad knowledge of and experience with writing pedagogy that supports communication across cultural and linguistic boundaries in diverse classroom environments.
• Possess experience communicating with international and global partners using innovative and emerging media, including social media.
• Demonstrate ability to create a dynamic classroom where students can effectively communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries and balance differing worldviews based upon a deep knowledge and awareness of other people, countries, cultures, and beliefs through the careful study of writing.

Instructional Design

• Demonstrate ability to design and create engaging curricula that take advantage of emerging technologies.
• Demonstrate ability to integrate AI and digital writing technologies into curriculum design, with awareness of their implications for rhetoric and composition.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt course materials to adjust to innovations within and outside of the discipline.
• Experience utilizing a variety of instructional delivery methods and emerging technologies to improve student learning.
• Demonstrate instructional variety and flexibility to accommodate students of different learning styles, abilities, demographics, or diversity.
• Demonstrate experience in creating engaging curriculum and classroom environments that will reinforce and further develop advanced skills in critical reading, thinking, presenting, writing, and communication skills.

Learning Enrichment

• Possess a passion for learning and teaching, with the ability to inspire enrichment, curiosity, and creativity in students from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate the use of innovative pedagogies, emerging technologies, and diverse instructional delivery methods that foster critical thinking and creative problem solving.
• Demonstrate the vision to deliver and advance the mission of the English and Communication Studies Department and the School of Liberal Arts: to develop reflective, critical and engaged citizens of the world.
• Possess current knowledge of trends and advances in the areas of business and professional writing, writing pedagogy, first-year writing, and AI in writing.
• Demonstrate interest in developing a wide-ranging curriculum that takes advantage of areas of expertise while contributing to the ECS Department’s vision.
• Experience encouraging student interaction, collaboration, teamwork, and cooperation in the learning process.

Professionalism

• Demonstrate ability to authoritatively and effectively speak on behalf of the English and Communication Studies Department, the School of Liberal Arts, and FIT.
• Demonstrate ability to help oversee and administer all compositional and professional writing classes in the English and Communication Studies Department.
• Maintain active participation in professional practices and scholarship, and a willingness to mentor faculty both within the School of Liberal Arts and across the College. Demonstrate expertise in current critical, theoretical, and pedagogical trends and practices in the field.
• Demonstrate ability to represent FIT with innovative scholarship presented at local, regional, national, and international professional organizations and through peer-reviewed publications.
• Demonstrate ability to support FIT’s goals and mission of promoting issues of sustainability, pluralism, and diversity through writing studies.
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with colleagues to increase the visibility and profile of literary studies at FIT.
• Maintain positive, helpful, supportive, respectful, collegial, and teamwork-oriented relationships with other professionals.

Technology

• Demonstrate a superior level of technical skills relating to software, innovative technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, especially as they relate to writing instruction and digital literacy.
• Demonstrate ability to utilize innovative instructional technology and to select the most appropriate technologies to enhance student-learning outcomes.
• Possess expertise in using social and emerging media to create engaging and evolving methods of instruction and student-centered interaction.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have a PhD in Writing Studies or Composition and Rhetoric or a closely related field. ABDs will be considered with the understanding that successful defense of the dissertation is required prior to the start of the second semester of employment.
• Candidates should also exhibit a record of academic research and publication, professional activities, successful college-level teaching, and familiarity with both online and hybrid learning environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research and teaching experience in AI and writing, critical AI literacy and pedagogy, machine writing, or related areas of digital rhetorics and pedagogies.
• Dedication to the teaching of Business and Professional Writing and its growth and development.
• Ideal candidates should have experience or expertise developing critical thinking through written and oral communication and equipping students to navigate and negotiate the impact of AI on writing in today’s professional environments. Background and interest in directing writing programs, pedagogical innovation, programming and spearheading initiatives for students and faculty will be essential.
• FIT is a diverse campus, and faculty must have a commitment to working with this diverse student population. Experience/interest in writing program administration and writing in the disciplines is highly desirable.

Additional Information:

Please note, all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

The final starting salary and appointment rank will be based on education level and cumulative experience; Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Salary Schedules pgs. 73-74.

Instructor: $69,346.37 – $80,793.82
Assistant Professor: $80,736.40 – $118,984.88
Associate Professor: $94,498.31 – $142,271.78
Professor: $115,232.32 – $173,403.37

The College reserves the right to select one or more candidates after having been duly reviewed and presented to the President in conformance with the provisions of Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

• Retirement Plans
• Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• FIT Tuition Exemption Program
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].

Visa Sponsorship

This position may be eligible for visa sponsorship. For any employees who may require sponsorship in order to lawfully work in the United States, FIT reserves complete discretion whether to pursue such sponsorship or to cancel, discontinue, or withdraw such sponsorship at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual’s ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT’s non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360.

Annual Security Report

The safety and well-being of FIT’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety’s administrative office number at (212) 217-4999.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be any combination of the classroom, lab, and/or office space. Certain roles may be required to handle machinery and chemicals. The physical requirement for this position will require occasional sitting, constant standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.