Instructor - Engineering

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Grade: Faculty 506Pay Range: $73,500.00 - $110,200.00

Job Description

Instructors are subject matter experts who teach and support a caseload of students enrolled in their assigned course(s). Instructors offer specialized instruction on topics in their course(s) aligned with best practices, as well as monitor and support student progress in competency development and course completion. They are responsive to learner needs and vary the type, length, method, and intensity of instruction best matched to the learner’s strengths and goals. Using technology, Instructors may interact with students in both group and one-to-one settings. Instructors collaborate with other instructional and program faculty serving the students in their course to ensure continuity and quality of support.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• • Acts as a steward for carrying out WGU’s mission and strategic vision by demonstrating effective and consistent commitment to learner-centered, competency-based educational support.
  • Responsible to monitor the course progress of an assigned group of learners in their course(s) and proactively offer support at key points of the student journey.
  • Provides expertise in assigned content area and maintains current knowledge in their field.
  • Fosters student learning through innovative, effective teaching practices.
  • Responds with urgency to meet student needs and communicates professionally and respectfully with students and all other members of the WGU community.
  • Offers timely support and outreach to students, including meeting service level agreements as outlined by their department.
  • Uses technology-based teaching and communication platforms to aid students in the development of competencies.
  • Collaborates with other professionals within the university to promote a positive, student-obsessed atmosphere.
  • Participates in all required training activities.
  • Responds with urgency to changing requirements, priorities, and short deadlines.
  • Consistently exhibits WGU Leadership Principles.
  • Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as the position evolves.
  • Up to 20% travel
  • Mandatory attendance at WST annual Summit

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• • Demonstrated ability to customize instructional support for learners with a variety of needs and educational backgrounds.
  • Must demonstrate technological competency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (or similar) applications, virtual instructional platforms, and student management systems.
  • Extraordinary customer service orientation.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to present information clearly, concisely, and accurately; friendly, persuasive speaking and writing style.
  • Well organized - conscientious and thorough with detail.
  • Ability to use data to make decisions.
  • Strong understanding, acceptance, adherence and promotion of the tenets of competency-based education in the WGU model.

Competencies:

Organizational or Student Impact:

• • Accountable for decisions that impact individual students.
  • Creates or facilitates learning experiences that support students’ attainment of knowledge and skills.
  • With specific guidance from senior faculty and program leaders, acts independently in executing teaching practice.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• • Works on diverse matters of limited complexity.
  • Receives general direction from their immediate supervisor or manager.
  • Effectively utilizes resources to address student concerns and inquiries.
  • Supports student needs to help them achieve course or program outcomes at the individual student level.
  • Follows university and department established policies and best practices.

Communication & Influence:

• • Communicates with students as appropriate to support student questions and needs.
  • Communicates with fellow faculty members as appropriate within and outside of the department.
  • Provides feedback regarding discipline and practice leadership.

Leadership & Talent Management

• • Serves as a contributing and collegial member of teams.
  • Adheres to learning and operational quality guidance and instructions.
  • Supports initiatives within the area of specialty.
  • Displays a positive attitude toward change and supports change management practices.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• • Master’s degree in an AI- or machine learning-related field (such as Computer Science or Software Engineering) paired with a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
  • Or: A Bachelor’s degree in an AI-related field paired with a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in engineering.
  • Or: degrees in engineering but with AI/ML industry experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse learner profiles.
  • Ability to work a student-friendly schedule (evenings/weekends).

Preferred Qualifications:

• • Experience with distance education and distance learning students is preferred.
  • PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering; 2 - 3 years experience teaching or in an engineering position.

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements, and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position; however, management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.