Urban Studies Teaching Specialist (9754) / Lecturer (9753)

Urban Studies Teaching Specialist (9754) / Lecturer (9753)

The Department of Geography, Environment and Society in the College of Liberal Arts seeks a
full-time, non-tenure track, Academic and Professional (P&A) position at the rank of Teaching
Specialist or Lecturer for its Urban Studies program with an anticipated start date in the Fall
2025 semester. This is primarily an instructional position with advising and administrative job
duties. The position involves teaching four courses; provides administrative support to the Urban
Studies Director; and advises Urban Studies majors and minors.

Appointment Details

This is a 100%-time, 9-month, Annual Renewable, Academic and
Professional (P&A) position. The position is primarily in-person with some possibilities for
remote work based on the needs of the department, determined in consultation with the chair.

Responsibilities

Instruction: 67%

Teach 4 courses per year in GES; specific courses determined in consultation with chair and
faculty director: Possibilities include:

• URBS Internship seminar
• URBS Senior Project Seminar
• GEOG 1372: Global Cities
• GEOG 1301: Our Globalizing World
• GEOG 3371W: Cities Citizens and Communities

As instructor, you will be required to develop, prepare and deliver well-crafted courses,
demonstrate expertise of the subject matter, supervise Teaching Assistants (if assigned to the
course), respond to student and department inquiries, meet with students, hold office hours, and
perform grading.

Advising & Administrative: 33%

• Work one-on-one with students to develop their individualized plan for graduation and
  maintain accurate records for each major and minor.
• Advise prospective students with admission and program requirements, enrollment, and
  orientation to the program.
• Discuss study abroad, internship requirements and our student organization with all
  students.
• Keep in-person and zoom advising hours that meet student demand at regular intervals
• Hold regular workshops on applying to graduate school and other professional
  development paths
• Oversee and support the Campus-Life MN Urban Studies Student Association (MUSSA)
• Facilitate events such as: welcome event, alumni panels and spring picnic
• Maintain department listserv Urbs-undergrad@lists.umn.edu
• Develop an internship repository to assist URBS students in securing internships
• Develop and maintain an alumni list
• Assist with onboarding of adjunct instructors

The Teaching Specialist/Lecturer works closely with the faculty director, the department chair,
and other members of the department to develop the program curriculum and ensure it is aligned
with department, college, and university requirements.

Required:

• M.A. in Geography, Urban Studies or related field.
• Demonstrated undergraduate teaching experience and effectiveness

Preferred:

• Ph.D. in Geography, Urban Studies or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and be capable of delivering high-quality
  instruction to a diverse student body.
• Experience conducting and/or supervising urban research.
  Applicants with an M.A. will be appointed at the Teaching Specialist level; those with a Ph.D.
  will be appointed at the Lecturer level.

The Department of Geography, Environment and Society at the University of Minnesota is a
top-ranked, nationally and internationally recognized department that includes programs in
Geography, Urban Studies, and Geographic Information Science. Studies in Geography offer an
integrative perspective on the relations among social, political, economic, and physical
phenomena in space and place, and provide a methodological emphasis in Geographic
Information Science. Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that focuses
on the conceptual and analytical frameworks and specialized skills needed for professions
focused on urban change or development in public agencies, non-profits, or private business, or
for graduate study in urban planning, law, social welfare, public affairs, or the social and
environmental sciences. The MGIS program, first of its type in the U.S., is a professional degree
program that provides a comprehensive GIS degree that balances work in the
theoretical/conceptual, technical, and application domains of GIS; delivers course work at times
convenient for students employed full time; and emphasizes societal impacts of GIS
technologies.

The Department provides up-to-date computing, cartography/GIS, and physical geography
laboratories, support for tree-ring analysis, soil characterization, and paleoenvironmental
reconstruction, and one of the nation's finest libraries supporting all undergraduate, graduate, and
professional research and training programs.

FFI: http://www.geog.umn.edu/

About the College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises
31 academic units, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support
units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and
administrative functions. CLA units reside in over 20 buildings on the East Bank and West Bank
of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, more than 40% of
the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an
annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our
increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational
commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of
underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines,
recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse
perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills
we need to understand and respect differences.

Pay Range: $62,000 - $70,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following materials as PDFs:

1. Cover letter

• A cover letter that identifies your qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
  Candidates should identify topics they are interested in or have experience teaching,
  explain how they will ensure their teaching is inclusive and meets the needs of diverse
  learners, and detail their experiences that illustrate how they would advise undergraduate
  students and independently manage a complex administrative workload.

2. Curriculum Vita

3. Names and contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin April 4, 2025

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).